Matthew 5:1

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The Beatitudes

1 And seeing the multitudes, ^aHe went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and ^ataught them, saying:

3 “Blessed^a are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 ^aBlessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.

5 ^aBlessed are the meek,
For ^bthey shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who ^ahunger and thirst for righteousness,
^bFor they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful,
^aFor they shall obtain mercy.

8 ^aBlessed are the pure in heart,
For ^bthey shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.

10 ^aBlessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 ^a“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of ^bevil against you falsely for My sake.

12 ^aRejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for ^bso they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Believers Are Salt and Light

13 “You are the salt of the earth; ^abut if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14 ^a“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Nor do they ^alight a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, ^athat they may see your good works and ^bglorify your Father in heaven.

Christ Fulfills the Law

17 ^a“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

18 For assuredly, I say to you, ^atill heaven and earth pass away, one¹ jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.

19 ^aWhoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds ^athe righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Begins in the Heart

21 “You have heard that it was said to those¹ of old, ^a‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’

22 But I say to you that ^awhoever is angry with his brother¹ without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ^b‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says,³ ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of⁴ hell fire.

23 Therefore ^aif you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,

24 ^aleave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

25 ^aAgree with your adversary quickly, ^bwhile you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Adultery in the Heart

27 “You have heard that it was said¹ to those of old, ^a‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28 But I say to you that whoever ^alooks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 ^aIf your right eye causes you to¹ sin, ^bpluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

30 And if your right hand causes you to¹ sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Commentaries:

Adam Clarke

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Matthew 5:2 >>

Matthew 5:1

And seeing the multitudes - , these multitudes, viz. those mentioned in the preceding verse, which should make the first verse of this chapter.

He went up into a mountain - That he might have the greater advantage of speaking, so as to be heard by that great concourse of people which followed him. It is very probable that nothing more is meant here than a small hill or eminence. Had he been on a high mountain they could not have heard; and, had he been at a great distance, he would not have sat down. See the note on Matthew 5:14.

And when he was set - The usual posture of public teachers among the Jews, and among many other people. Hence sitting was a synonymous term for teaching among the rabbins.

His disciples - The word signifies literally a scholar. Those who originally followed Christ, considered him in the light of a Divine teacher; and conscious of their ignorance, and the importance of his teaching, they put themselves under his tuition, that they might be instructed in heavenly things. Having been taught the mysteries of the kingdom of God, they became closely attached to their Divine Master, imitating his life and manners; and recommending his salvation to all the circle of their acquaintance. This is still the characteristic of a genuine disciple of Christ.

Other Adam Clarke entries containing Matthew 5:1:

Matthew 15:29
Matthew 23:2
Luke 6:17

<< Matthew 4:25

Matthew 5:2 >>

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