Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7)

Beatitudes (5:3-12)

• Opening pronouncement of eight “blessings” (makarisms) that invert conventional honor-shame values.

  • Poor in spirit ⟶ kingdom already theirs (present tense): emphasizes dependence on God rather than material/spiritual self-sufficiency. Those who recognize they are spiritually in need; a recognition of the need for GOD and Christ.

  • Those who mourn ⟶ comfort: signals future eschatological reversal of suffering.

  • Meek (gentle, power under control) ⟶ inherit the earth: echoes Psalm\ 37:11; stresses non-aggressive stewardship.

  • Hunger & thirst for righteousness ⟶ satisfaction: righteousness portrayed as existential craving, not mere legal status.

  • Merciful ⟶ receive mercy: reciprocity principle; anticipates later teaching on forgiveness.

  • Pure in heart ⟶ see God: inner moral integrity over ritual purity; ultimate beatific vision.

  • Peacemakers ⟶ called sons of God: active reconciliation reflects divine character.

  • Persecuted for righteousness ⟶ kingdom theirs (book-ending present tense): suffering is reinterpreted as participation in prophetic lineage.

• Additional “double-blessing” (vv.11-12) personally addresses disciples (“you”):

  • Rejoice despite reviling; parallels prophets to legitimate mission.

  • Ethical implication: joy & endurance under social ostracism.

Salt & Light Metaphors (5:13-16)

• Salt of the earth

  • Functions: preservation, flavor, covenant symbol (Levitical sacrifices).

  • Warning: “lost taste” (literally “become foolish”) ⟶ useless, trampled; discipleship entails ongoing distinctiveness.

• Light of the world

  • Imagery: city on a hill; lamp on stand vs. under basket.

  • Missional ethic: visible good works produce doxology (“give glory to your Father”).

Jesus & Torah Fulfillment (5:17-20)

• “Not abolish but fulfill” – plērōsai: bring to completion/true intent.

• Permanence of Law: “not an iota or dot” until cosmic consummation.

• Hierarchy of commandments: relaxing even “least” lowers kingdom status.

• Righteousness must “exceed that of scribes & Pharisees” (beyond external conformity toward inward obedience).

Six Antitheses: Deepened Righteousness (5:21-48)

• Literary formula: “You have heard… but I say to you” – authoritative reinterpretation.

Anger & Reconciliation (5:21-26)

• Murder command extended to internal hostility & contempt speech (“You fool”).

• Triple escalating legal venues: judgment → council → Gehenna.

• Urgent reconciliation: leave altar gift; settle before court – pragmatic example stressing relational priority over ritual.

Lust & Purity (5:27-30)

• Adultery redefined as lustful gaze/intent.

• Hyperbolic self-mutilation (eye, hand) underscores radical measures to avoid sin; better partial loss than whole-body Gehenna.

Divorce (5:31-32)

• Reference to Deut\ 24:1 certificate.

• Restricts divorce to “sexual immorality” (porneia); illegitimate divorce = adultery ripple effect on remarriage.

Oaths (5:33-37)

• Prohibits swearing by heaven, earth, Jerusalem, one’s head – all belong to God.

• Ethic of plain speech: “Yes/No” suffices; embellishment arises from evil.

Retaliation (5:38-42)

• Lex talionis (“eye for eye”) limited vengeance; Jesus calls for non-resistance.

  • Turn other cheek (insult), give cloak (legal seizure), go second mile (Roman compulsion), generous giving/loaning.

• Encourages creative, grace-filled responses that disarm violence.

Love of Enemies (5:43-48)

• Contrasts popular expansion “hate your enemy.”

• Command to love & pray for persecutors mirrors divine impartial benevolence (sun/rain on evil & good).

• Comparison to tax collectors/Gentiles: disciples must surpass minimal social reciprocity.

• Climax: “Be perfect as your Father is perfect” – telios = complete/mature love.

Practicing Righteousness in Secret (6:1-18)

• Overarching warning: avoid performative piety “to be seen.”

Almsgiving (6:2-4)

• Hypocrites trumpet charity; reward = human praise only.

• Secrecy metaphor: left hand/right hand ignorance.

Prayer (6:5-15)

• Public ostentation vs. private room; God rewards unseen devotion.

• “Gentile babbling” contrasts with simple trust.

• The Lord’s Prayer (Model):

  • God-ward petitions: Name hallowed, Kingdom come, Will be done \text{(heaven} \rightarrow \text{earth)}.

  • Human needs: daily bread, forgiveness (linked to own forgiveness), deliverance from temptation/evil.

• Conditional forgiveness (vv.14-15): reciprocity amplified.

Fasting (6:16-18)

• Avoid gloomy faces/public signaling; maintain normal appearance.

• Hidden discipline = divine reward.

Treasure, Vision, & Mastery (6:19-24)

• Earthly treasure vulnerable to moth, rust, thieves vs. heavenly treasure secure.

• “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be” – value drives affection.

• Eye as lamp: healthy (haplous – single/generous) fills body with light; unhealthy eye = inner darkness (greed).

• Dual masters: impossibility of serving God & mammon (wealth personified).

Anxiety & Divine Provision (6:25-34)

• Threefold “do not be anxious” about food, drink, clothing.

• Nature illustrations:

  • Birds: fed without farming.

  • Lilies: outshine Solomon’s splendor; grass analogy stresses transience.

• Arguments from lesser-to-greater (qal vahomer): if God cares for expendable flora/fauna, much more humans.

• Futurity: seek first God’s kingdom/righteousness → necessities “added.”

• Each day’s trouble sufficient; worry about tomorrow futile.

Judgment & Discernment (7:1-6)

• Principle of reciprocal judgment; measuring rod turns back.

• Speck vs. log parable: self-examination prerequisite to fraternal correction.

• Holy things & pearls to dogs/pigs: discerning audience for sacred truths.

Persistence in Prayer & Golden Rule (7:7-12)

• Triple imperative escalates: ask → seek → knock; universal promise of response.

• Father comparison: human parents give good gifts; God gives even better.

• Verse 12: Golden Rule summarizes “Law and Prophets” – ethical distillation.

Two Ways & True Allegiance (7:13-23)

Narrow vs. Wide Gate (7:13-14)

• Minority path (hard) leads to life; majority path (easy) to destruction.

False Prophets (7:15-20)

• Sheep’s clothing, wolves inside; discerned by “fruits.”

• Agricultural analogy: species consistency; barren trees burned.

False Discipleship (7:21-23)

• Verbal profession “Lord, Lord” insufficient; obedience to Father’s will required.

• Eschatological scene: miraculous ministry claims rejected as “lawlessness.”

Wise & Foolish Builders (7:24-27)

• Hearing & doing words = house on rock; withstands rain, floods, wind.

• Hearing without doing = house on sand; catastrophic collapse.

• Concluding parable emphasizes praxis over mere cognition.

Audience Reaction (7:28-29)

• Crowds astonished; Jesus taught “as one having authority,” distinct from scribal citation tradition.

• Sets stage for conflict & discipleship decision.

Key Themes & Connections

• Kingdom ethics reorient traditional piety (Torah) toward interior transformation & radical love.

• Triadic rhythm: Revelation (authority of Jesus) → Requirement (higher righteousness) → Reward (heavenly treasure/kingdom).

• Echoes of Sinai: mountain setting, Law interpretation, covenant identity.

• Practical implications for contemporary discipleship:

  • Social justice (mercy, peacemaking, almsgiving).

  • Personal holiness (purity, honesty, non-violence).

  • Spiritual disciplines (prayer, fasting) practiced authentically.

  • Economic stewardship & trust (treasure in heaven, mammon warning).

• Philosophical/ethical import: critique of performative virtue ethics, promotion of telos-oriented perfection rooted in God’s character.