Matthew 5
5
1When Jesus saw the crowds following him he went up a mountain. There he sat down together with his disciples. 2He began teaching them, saying:
3“Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually poor, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are those who are kind#5:5. Meaning meek, mild tempered. for they will own the whole world. 6Blessed are those whose greatest desire#5:6. Literally, “those who are hungry and thirsty.” is to do what is right, for they will be satisfied. 7Blessed are those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8Blessed are those who have pure minds, for they will see God. 9Blessed are those who work to bring peace, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those persecuted for what is right, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and accuse you of all kinds of evil things because of me. 12Be glad, be really glad, for you will receive a great reward in heaven—for they persecuted the prophets who came before you in just the same way.
13You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt becomes tasteless,#5:13. Or “useless.” how can you make it salty again? It's good for nothing, so it's thrown out and trodden down. 14You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill can't be hidden. 15No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a bucket. No, it's placed on a lamp-stand and it provides light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way you should let your light shine before everyone so they can see the good things you do and praise your heavenly Father.
17Don't think I came to abolish the law or the writings of the prophets. I didn't come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18I assure you, until heaven and earth come to an end, not a single letter, not a single dot of the law will come to an end before everything is fulfilled. 19So whoever disregards#5:19. Or “invalidates.” the least important commandment, and teaches people to do so, will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches the commandments will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20I tell you, unless your moral rightness#5:20 “Moral rightness”: Literally, “righteousness.” However, this term is little used in general non-church language and so in this translation it is replaced with phrases such as “those who live right” or “those who do good/right” etc. This is more than being correct, it means living a life that is morally right. is more than that of the religious teachers and the Pharisees, you can never enter the kingdom of heaven.
21You've heard that the law said#5:21. Literally, “You've heard that it was said.” This phrase is used often in this passage by Jesus to refer to the laws found in the Old Testament. to the people of long ago: ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who commits murder will be condemned as guilty.’#5:21. Or “liable to judgment.” Exodus 20:13 or Deuteronomy 5:17. 22But I tell you, anyone who is angry with his brother will be condemned as guilty. Whoever calls his brother an idiot has to answer to the council,#5:22. Probably the Sanhedrin council. but whoever verbally abuses others is liable to the fire of Gehenna.#5:22. “Gehenna” is sometimes translated “hell” or “hellfire.” However, “hell” is a concept that is derived from Nordic and Anglo-Saxon mythology and does not parallel the idea here. Gehenna was the place outside of Jerusalem where fires were lit to dispose of trash by burning. Also in verses 29 and 30. 23If you're at the altar making an offering, and remember that your brother has something against you, 24leave your offering on the altar and go and make peace with him first, and afterwards come back and make your offering. 25While you're on the way to court with your opponent, make sure you settle things quickly. Otherwise your opponent might hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the court official, and you will be thrown into jail. 26I tell you the truth: you won't get out of there until you've paid every last penny.
27You've heard that the law said, ‘Don't commit adultery.’#5:27. Quoting Exodus 20:14 or Deuteronomy 5:18. 28But I tell you that everyone who looks lustfully at a woman has already committed adultery with her in his mind. 29If your right eye leads you to sin, then tear it out and throw it away, because it's better to lose one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into the fire of Gehenna. 30If your right hand leads you to sin, then cut it off and throw it away, for it's better for you to lose one of your limbs than for your whole body to go into the fire of Gehenna.
31The law also said, ‘If a man divorces his wife, he should give her a certificate of divorce.’#5:31. Quoting Deuteronomy 24:1. 32But I tell you that any man who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33And again, you've heard that the law said to the people of long ago, ‘You shall not perjure yourself. Instead make sure you keep the oaths you swear to the Lord.’#5:33. Quoting Numbers 30:2. 34But I tell you, don't swear at all. Don't swear by heaven, because it's the throne of God. 35Don't swear by the earth, because it's God's footstool. Don't swear by Jerusalem, because it's the city of the great King. 36Don't even swear by your head, because you're not able to make a single hair white or black. 37Simply say yes or no—more than this comes from the evil one.
38You've heard that the law said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’#5:38. Quoting Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21. 39But I tell you, don't resist someone who is evil. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to them as well. 40If someone wants to sue you in court and takes your shirt, give them your coat too.#5:40. The coat was a much more valuable article of clothing. 41If someone demands that you go one mile, go with them two.#5:41. Probably referring to a Roman soldier demanding his belongings be carried for him. 42Give to those who ask you, and don't turn away those who want to borrow from you. 43You've heard that the law said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’#5:43. Quoting Leviticus 19:18. 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so you may become children of your heavenly Father. For his sun shines on both the good and the bad; and he makes the rain fall on both those who do right and those who do wrong. 46For if you only love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do that? 47If you only speak kindly to your family, what more are you doing than anyone else? Even the heathen#5:47 Literally, “nations,” or “Gentiles.” A common term used in the New Testament to identify non-Jews, those regarded as not following the true God. do that! 48Grow up and become completely trustworthy,#5:48. Literally, “perfect, complete, undivided, whole, mature.” The idea here is of a way of life totally dedicated to God rather than focusing on some abstract concept of perfection. The focus is on spiritual maturity which translates into being someone dependable, someone who can always be trusted. just as your heavenly Father is trustworthy.”
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com
Matthew 5
5
The Sermon on the Mount; The Beatitudes
1When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and when He was seated, His #A disciple was a “learner” who may have been curious or convinced or committed.disciples came to Him. 2Then He began to teach them, saying,
3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
4 “Blessed [forgiven, refreshed by God’s grace] are those who mourn [over their sins and repent], for they will be comforted [when the burden of sin is lifted].
5 “Blessed [inwardly peaceful, spiritually secure, worthy of respect] are the #Or humble, meek.gentle [the kind-hearted, the sweet-spirited, the self-controlled], for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied.
7 “Blessed [content, sheltered by God’s promises] are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God.
9 “Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God.
10 “Blessed [comforted by inner peace and God’s love] are those who are persecuted for #Lit the sake of righteousness.doing that which is morally right, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
11 “Blessed [morally courageous and spiritually alive with life-joy in God’s goodness] are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil things against you because of [your association with] Me. 12Be glad and exceedingly joyful, for your reward in heaven is great [absolutely inexhaustible]; for in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Disciples and the World
13 “You are the # In ancient times salt was often used as a preservative. Similarly, followers of Christ are to preserve both the gospel message and Christian values in the secular world. salt of the earth; but if the salt has # The salt from the Dead Sea contains impurities that affect its qualities as a seasoning and as a preservative. lost its taste (purpose), how can it be made salty? It is no longer good for anything, but to be thrown out and walked on by people [when the walkways are wet and slippery].
14 “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good deeds and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven.
17 “Do not think that I came to do away with or undo the # I.e. the Pentateuch. Law [of Moses] or the [writings of the] Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18For I assure you and most solemnly say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke [of the pen] will pass from the Law until all things [which it foreshadows] are accomplished. 19So whoever breaks one of the least [important] of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least [important] in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them, he will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20 “For I say to you that unless your righteousness (uprightness, moral essence) is more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Personal Relationships
21 “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not murder,’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be # Or liable to. guilty before the court.’ 22But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice against him shall be guilty before the court; and whoever speaks [contemptuously and insultingly] to his brother, #A severe Aramaic insult.‘Raca (You empty-headed idiot)!’ shall be guilty before the supreme court (Sanhedrin); and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of the #Gr Gehenna, a Greek version of the Hebrew for Valley of Hinnom, a ravine where garbage was burned continuously, located just south of Jerusalem. Often regarded in ancient times as symbolic of hell (the lake of fire), a realm reserved for the wicked. Mentioned in Matt 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5; James 3:6.#Lit Gehenna of fire.fiery hell. 23So if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and while there you remember that your brother has something [such as a grievance or legitimate complaint] against you, 24leave your offering there at the altar and go. First make peace with your brother, and then come and present your offering. 25Come to terms quickly [at the earliest opportunity] with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way [to court], so that your opponent does not hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you are thrown into prison. 26I assure you and most solemnly say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid the last #Gr kodrantes, from the Lat quadrans, which was the smallest Roman bronze coin.cent.
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’; 28but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29If your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30If your right hand makes you stumble and leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
31 “It has also been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife is to give her a certificate of divorce’; 32but I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits adultery.
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not make false vows, but you shall fulfill your vows to the Lord [as a religious duty].’ 34But I say to you, do not make an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. 36Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. 37But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’ [a firm yes or no]; anything more than that comes from the evil one.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’ 39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever #In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise]. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, #Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. 41And whoever #Roman soldiers were allowed to force civilian bystanders to carry their gear one mile for them.forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’ 44But I say to you, #The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 46For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? 48You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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