Jesus is the teacher of all teachers. The Beatitudes are the beginning of a teaching session where Jesus teaches the correct worldview and lifestyle of the Kingdom of God. I have written some simple notes to hopefully stimulate all to read and study these principles. Afterwards, all believers—especially—can apply and start living according to these traits with the help of God’s assisting grace.
My translation and notes of Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew Chapter 5
Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount—The Beatitudes
Luke 6:20-23
1 Seeing the large crowds, he went up to a mountain, and after sitting down, his disciples came to him,
2 And opening his mouth, he started teaching them saying,
[The attitudes of God’s kingdom are:
-
Poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3), which is not a natural disposition, but one’s deliberate choice and discipline (MacDonald). It is also defined by Webster’s Dictionary (1913) as free from self-assertion; not proud or arrogant; meek. It is recognizing that we cannot solve all problems in life ourselves. We need help. Jesus is the Messiah. The opposite would have an attitude of “I can do it myself; I’m master of my own fate; I’m captain of my soul.” God created humans to have fellowship with Him and recognize our need for help. God gives grace to help. Poor in spirit is a concept familiar to the crowd Jesus is teaching. See Job 22:9, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2 (God lives with people with this attitude), Psalm 25:9 (God guides those who are poor in spirit), and Psalm 147:6 (God helps the poor in spirit but sends sinners down in shame).
-
Mourn (Matthew 5:4), which is realizing our weaknesses and the abundance of God’s riches of assisting grace. The opposite is an arrogant attitude of self-deceptive strength and not needing God. Reality is the key. Compare John 15:5 and Philippians 4:3. This idea is also seen in Isaiah 61:1-3, where the people of Israel—in the future—recognize the Jesus is the Messiah that the Jews of Jesus’s first coming rejected. These people of the future will be grieved over their sins, their rejection of Jesus by their ancestors, and all the unnecessary chastenings sent by God. The deliverance is prophesied in Zechariah 14 and the mourning in Psalm 118:2 and Zechariah 12:10-13:9.
-
Humility (Matthew 5:5), which is an attitude of God first, others second, and self third. It is listening to other’s opinion, discussion, and seeking truth, instead of being arrogant in one’s own opinion. This is a general attitude which cannot be applied to giving all food away and one’s self starves to death. Compare Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5-6, and Romans 12:16. Contrast Exodus 10:3.
-
Hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), which is desiring God’s standards for purity in their thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. William MacDonald (Believer’s BIBLE COMMENTARY) writes: These people have a passion for righteousness in their own lives; they long to see honesty, integrity, and justice in society; they look for practical holiness in the church. Like the people of whom Gamaliel Bradford wrote, they have “a thirst no earthly stream can satisfy, a hunger that must feed on Christ or die.” These people will be abundantly satisfied in Christ’s coming kingdom: they shall be filled, for righteousness will reign and corruption will give way to the highest moral standards.
-
Showing mercy (Matthew 5:7), which is the opposite of seeking revenge and getting even, especially when the other party asks for mercy or forgiveness. Compare Hebrews 2:17 where Jesus—as High Priest—could righteously seek His vengeance and send the sinner to hell, but He has provided a way of salvation, which is the Gospel.
-
Pure in heart (Matthew 5:8), which is a new heart recreated (2 Corinthians 5:17) after believing in Jesus—through grace alone in faith alone in Jesus alone. Who can see God? Those who are pure in heart. Good interpretation skills look to reference in the Old Testament. The Psalmist informs us in Psalm 24:3-4 NKJV Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. Also see Psalm 51:10 and Acts 15:9. Believers will see God (Revelation 22:3-4). A heart that is pure will have a life that is pure].
-
Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), which is the opposite of a warmonger. One of the character traits of God is peace. Our newly created heart (born again) has the indwelling Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5 and 2 Corinthians 1:22) who produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) then prunes (disciples) so believers will produce more (John 15:2). This is not a natural disposition but a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Human philosophy and programs do not bring peace to society. Believing the Gospel and being born again brings peace. The sin/flesh nature is revealed in James 3:16, 2 Corinthians 12:20, and 1 Corinthians 14:33. The new/spirit nature shows the opposite; see Proverbs 12:20 (bringing joy), Romans 12:18 (a character trait of the Christian life), and James 3:17 (God’s wisdom brings peace).
-
Persecuted for righteousness’s sake (Matthew 5:10). There is the wrath of man, the wrath of satan (Revelation 12:12 and 1 Peter 5:8-9), and the wrath of God (Romans 1:18, John 3:36, and Jeremiah 10:10). The wrath of satan incites the wrath of man. We may fear this, but it is the result of believing God, living for God, and witnessing for God. See Hebrews 11:24-25, 2 Timothy 3:12, and John 15:20. For relief, we have the grace of God (1 Peter 5:10-12), the promises of God (Hebrews 13:5), the Psalms of God (for example, Psalm 109, Psalm 119:86, and Psalm 119:161), and the fellowship of believers (Philippians 2:1 and 1 Peter 3:8).
-
Persecuted by verbal abuse (Matthew 5:11-12). The verbal abuse, including lies, insults, slander, libel, gaslighting, etc., will happen to believers because of living righteously according to the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). The verbal abuse is also because we believe, worship, and live for Jesus Christ (1 Peter 4:4 and 1 Peter 4:14). This crowd hates Jesus. Many of these verbally abusive people are very persuasive and are able to convince many, who in turn repeat the lies. Satan, their master of these able speakers, comes as an angel of light and so do his ministers (2 Corinthians 11:12-15 and 1 Peter 5:8). These persecutors are practiced liars and seek to destroy a person, their reputation, their employment, their accomplishments, their finances, etc. Compare Psalm 35:11].
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
[See point 1 above].
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
[See point 2 above].
5 “Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth.
[See point 3 above. The Greek word for ‘humble’ is (G4239) πραΰς praÿs. It means the opposite of proud and is usually translated as ‘meek,’ and not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance, gentle (BDAG). Our chief example is Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:29), yet, in meekness, He was brave, not spineless. Compare Psalm 37:11 and Galatians 5:23].
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
[See point 4 above].
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will obtain mercy.
[See point 5 above].
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
[See point 6 above].
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
[See point 7 above].
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
[See point 8 above].
11 “Youp are blessed when people verbally abuse, persecute youp, and say all kinds of evil, wicked words about youp falsely for my sake.
12 “Rejoice and be very happy, for yourp reward in heaven is great, for they persecuted the prophets who were before youp in this way.
[See point 9 above].