Matthew 5:1-12
The King blesses the needy, righteous, merciful, pure, peacemaking, and persecuted people who belong to His kingdom.
1 Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
2 He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The King blesses the needy, righteous, merciful, pure, peacemaking, and persecuted people who belong to his kingdom.
Matthew presents Jesus as the authoritative King who teaches his disciples the character, comfort, hope, and cost of kingdom blessedness.
A mountain or elevated place in Galilee where Jesus sits as teacher with his disciples near him and the crowds also in view.
Kingdom Blessedness, Fulfilled Law, and Heart-Level Righteousness
Jesus reveals that kingdom citizens are blessed, visible, Scripture-governed, and called to a heart-level righteousness that reflects the character of their heavenly Father.