The Beatitudes
Study note
The Beatitudes turn worldly values upside down, declaring that the truly blessed are not the powerful and proud but the poor in spirit, the mourning, the meek, and the persecuted. Each beatitude describes an aspect of the character God cultivates in his people and pairs it with a corresponding promise. Together they paint a portrait of the kind of person who belongs to the kingdom of heaven -- humble, merciful, pure, and willing to suffer for righteousness.
1 When Jesus looked out and saw how many people had gathered, he hiked up a mountainside and sat down. His closest followers gathered around him. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2 Then he opened his mouth and started teaching them. He said, And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven! For so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Salt and Light
Study note
Jesus uses two powerful metaphors to describe the influence his followers should have on the world. Salt preserves and adds flavor, while light dispels darkness and reveals truth. These images challenge believers to live visibly and distinctively, making a tangible difference in their communities so that others may see their good works and glorify God.
13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be made salty again? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 People don't light a lamp just to stick it under a bowl. They set it up high so it can shine on everybody in the house. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Jesus Fulfills the Law
Study note
Jesus clarifies that he has not come to abolish the Law and Prophets but to fulfill them, establishing a higher standard of righteousness than mere external compliance. His statement that not the smallest letter of the law will pass away affirms the enduring authority of God's moral standards. He calls his followers to a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, who were known for their meticulous outward observance.
17 Don't get the wrong idea — I did not come here to tear down the law or what the prophets taught. I came to make everything they said come true. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 Truly, as long as heaven and earth exist, not the smallest letter or stroke will disappear from the law. This will be true until every last part of it has been carried out. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Anyone who breaks even the smallest command and tells others to do the same will be the least in God's kingdom. But anyone who follows the commands and teaches others to do so will be called great in God's kingdom. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 I am warning you. Unless your goodness goes deeper than what the scribes and Pharisees show on the outside, you will not get into the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Teaching on Anger, Lust, Divorce, and Oaths
Study note
In a series of 'You have heard... but I tell you' statements, Jesus moves beyond the letter of the law to its deeper intent. Murder is rooted in anger, adultery begins in the heart, and casual divorce causes lasting harm. He calls for such radical honesty that oaths become unnecessary -- a simple yes or no should be enough. These teachings reveal that God cares about the heart, not just outward behavior.
21 You were taught that people long ago received this rule: 'Do not murder.' Anyone who murders will face judgment for it. Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I tell you: even getting furious with someone for no good reason puts you in danger of judgment. Calling someone worthless puts you in danger of being brought before the court. And calling someone a fool puts you in danger of the fires of hell. But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
23 You are bringing a gift to God at the altar. Then you remember that someone has a problem with you. Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24 Put your offering down, walk away from the altar, and go make things right with that person first. Then come back and present your gift to God. Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25 If someone is taking you to court, try to work things out with them quickly while you are still on the way there. If you don't, they might hand you over to the judge. The judge might hand you to the officer, and you could end up locked away. Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26 And I am telling you the truth — you will not get out until you have paid back every last cent. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27 You have been taught this old rule: 'Do not commit adultery.' Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 "But what I am saying goes further. Anyone who looks at another person's spouse and starts wishing they could be with them has already broken that rule in their heart." But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
29 If your right eye keeps leading you into sin, rip it out and throw it away. Losing one body part is a much better deal than having your entire body end up in hell. And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 If your right hand keeps dragging you into sin, chop it off and get rid of it. It is far better to lose one hand than to have your whole body thrown into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31 People have been told, 'If a man wants to divorce his wife, he must write her an official document.' It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say to you: Any man who divorces his wife for a reason other than unfaithfulness pushes her toward adultery. And any man who marries her also commits adultery. But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33 You have also heard that people long ago were told, 'When you make a promise to God, you must keep it. Do not break your vows.' Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34 But I say: don't make any kind of sworn promise at all. Don't swear by heaven, because that is where God sits on his throne. But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
35 Don't swear by the earth, because it belongs to God. Don't swear by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36 Don't even swear by your own head, because you do not have the power to change a single hair from white to black. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37 Say what you mean — 'Yes' when you mean yes and 'No' when you mean no. Anything beyond that has its roots in evil. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Radical Love and Perfection
Study note
Jesus replaces the principle of proportional retaliation with radical generosity and enemy-love. Turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, and loving enemies reflect the character of God himself, who blesses both the evil and the good. The call to 'be perfect, just as your Father who is in heaven is perfect' sets the ultimate standard: God's own character as the measure of our aspiration.
38 You have heard the rule that says, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say to you: do not fight back against someone who does you wrong. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer them the other cheek too. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 If someone drags you to court and tries to take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 If a soldier makes you carry his gear for one mile, carry it for two miles. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 When someone asks you for something, give it to them. When someone wants to borrow from you, do not refuse. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 You have heard it said, 'Love the people around you, and hate the people who are against you.' Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 When you do that, you prove you are true children of your Father in heaven. After all, he lets the sun warm both bad people and good people. He sends rain to help both those who are right with him and those who are not. That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 If you only love the people who already love you back, what is so special about that? Even dishonest tax collectors manage to do that much. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if you only say hello to the people in your own group, how is that going above and beyond? People who don't even know God do the same thing. And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Instead, aim to be as completely good as your Father in heaven is." Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.