Biblical Studies/New Testament Commentaries/The Gospel of Matthew/Chapter 5

Matthew 5

When Jesus saw crowds of people, he went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to him and he began to teach them. He said, blessed are the poor in spirit; their kingdom is heaven. Those who mourn are blessed, and they will be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, their hunger and thirst will be satisfied. Those who practice mercy will be receive mercy. The pure in heart will receive God. Peacemakers are blessed; they will be called sons of God. Those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness will belong to the kingdom of heaven. You are blessed when people insult and persecute you and say evil things about you because of Me. You should rejoice and be glad because you will be rewarded greatly in heaven just like those prophets before you. You are the salt of the earth, but if salt becomes bland it cannot be made salty again and is not good for anything. It should be thrown out and stepped on. You are the light of the world. A city upon a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and covers it, they put it on a stand to give light to all who are in the house. Likewise, shine your light to other men so they will see your good works and glorify God in heaven. I have not come to do away with the Law or the Prophets, but I came to fulfill them. Truly, until heaven and earth pass away not one letter or stroke of the pen will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Anyone who annuls a commandment and teaches others to do likewise will be of the least in heaven. Whoever keeps them and teaches them will be called great in heaven. Unless you are more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, you won’t enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that people of long ago were told not to murder and anyone who does so will be judged. But I am telling you that anyone who is even angry with another is in danger of judgment. Again, anyone who even calls his brother a fool will be guilty before the court and will enter into a fiery hell. So if you are offering a gift at an altar and you remember that a brother has something against you leave the offering and go be reconciled with him; then come back to present your offering. Settle things quickly with someone who is taking you to court. Do it while you are on your way there or he may hand you over to the judge and you will be thrown in prison. I am telling you the truth when I say you will not come out of there until you have fully paid the penalty. You have heard it said to not commit adultery. I am telling you that everyone who looks at a woman and lusts for her is committing adultery in his own heart. If an eye causes you to stumble or sin, rip it out and throw it away. It would be better to lose one of the parts of your body than your whole body to be thrown into hell. If a hand makes you stumble or sin, do the same. It was said that anyone who sends his wife away, must give her a certificate of divorce. I am telling you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of marital unfaithfulness, makes her commit adultery; and anyone marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Again, you have heard it said to people long ago you should not break an oath, but keep those that you have made to the Lord. I am telling you not to swear at all, by the earth, by God, or by your head. Simply say yes or no, anything else is evil. You have heard “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” I am telling you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps your cheek, offer him the other cheek. If someone wants to sue for your tunic, give him your cloak as well. If they force you to go a mile, go two. Give to someone who asks and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. You have also heard to love your neighbor and hate your enemies. I am telling you to love your neighbor and pray for anyone who hates you, so that you may be the sons of God in heaven; for he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the righteous and sends them both rain too. If you only love people who love you, what good is that? Even tax collectors do that. If you only greet your brothers, what are you doing that others don’t? Even evil people do that. So you are to be perfect, just as you heavenly Father is perfect.