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.