5.1: The Beatitudes
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The Beatitudes from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 5:1-45)
The following passage is the most famous teaching that Jesus gave – it is only recorded in the Gospel of Matthew and is commonly known as “The Beatittudes” or the “Sermon on the Mount” because Jesus walks onto a small hill in order to give this speech as Matthew relates that a crowd had gathered to hear him. It is in this sermon that Jesus gives some of his most iconic teachings, such as the teaching to love one’s enemies, shun worldly wealth and practice mercy and extreme charity. As you will see in this section, Jesus teaches a form of radical ethics – what he asks of his followers is a very difficult lifestyle: one that embraces pacifism, poverty, and selfless giving of oneself.
As this long speech is only recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, scholars believe that it likely did not occur in a single sermon – most likely this is a collection of teachings of Jesus that Matthew recorded in this gospel and condensed them into a single speech in order to create a parallel between Jesus and Moses. Matthew is commonly considered the most “Jewish” Gospel and that Matthew describes Jesus as a kind of ‘new Moses.’ By having Jesus give this ethical teaching on a “mount,” he is recreating the scene from the Hebrew Bible in which Moses stands over the Hebrews and teaches them the Law that God has dictated to him.
The Sermon on the Mount
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven…
You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever shall murder shall be in danger of the judgment.’
But I tell you, that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whoever shall say to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council; and whoever shall say, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
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