5:1ffMatthew 5-7 is called the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hillside near Capernaum. This “sermon” probably covered several days of preaching.!n it, Jesus proclaimed his attitude toward the law. Position, authority, and money are not important in his Kingdom—what matters is faithful obedience from the heart. The Sermon on the Mount challenged the proud and legalistic religious leaders of the day. It called them back to the messages of the Old Testament prophets, who, like Jesus, taught that heartfelt obedience is more important than legalistic observance.
Life Application Study BibleMatthewChapter 5
Matthew 5
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1545, 1546, 1547, 1548, 1549, 1550
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
5Matthew 5
1One day as he saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and satdown. His disciples gathered around him,
2and he began to teach them:
3“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,* for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4God blesses those who mourn,for they will be comforted.
5God blesses those who are humble,for they will inherit the whole earth.
6God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,*for they will be satisfied.
7God blesses those who are merciful,for they will be shown mercy.
8God blesses those whose hearts are pure,for they will see God.
9God blesses those who work for peace,for they will be called the children of God.
10God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you* and sayall sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12Be happy about it! Be veryglad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets werepersecuted in the same way.Jesus Teaches about Salt and Light (50)
13“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14”You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ‘SNo one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Jesus Teaches about the Law (61)
17“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or thewritings of the prophets. No,I came to accomplish their purpose. ‘I tell you the truth, until5:6 Or for righteousness. 5:11 Some manuscripts omit and lie about you.by God means the experience of hope and joy, independent ofoutward circumstances. To find hope and joy, the deepest formof happiness, follow Jesus no matter what the cost.§:3-12 With Jesus’ announcement that the Kingdom wasnear (4:17), people were naturally asking, “How do I quatifyto be in God's Kingdom?” Jesus said that God's Kingdom isorganized differently from worldly kingdoms. In the Kingdomof Heaven, wealth and power and authority are unimportant.Kingdom people seek different blessings and benefits, andthey have different attitudes. Are your attitudes a carbon copyof the world’s selfishness, pride, and tust for power, or do theyreflect the humility and self-sacrifice of Jesus, your king?§:11,
19Jesus said to be happy when we’re persecuted forour faith. Persecution can be good because (1) it takes our eyesoff earthly rewards, (2) it strips away superficial belief, (3) itstrengthens the faith of those who endure, and (4) our attitudethrough it serves as an example to others who follow. We canbe comforted knowing that God’s greatest prophets were perse-cuted (Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel). The fact that we are being perse-cuted proves that we have been faithful; faithless people wouldbe unnoticed. In the future God will reward the faithful by receiv-ing them into his eternal Kingdom, where there is no morepersecution.5:13 If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christiansmake no effort to affect the world around them, they are of littievalue to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worth-less. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. instead,we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings outthe best flavor in food.5:14-16 Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a mountain?Its tight at night can be seen for miles. if we live for Christ, wewill glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide
heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20“But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! Jesus Teaches about Anger (52) 21” You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’* 22But I say, if you are even angry with someone,* you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,* you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,* you are in danger of the fires of hell.* 23"So if youare presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Goand be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 25” When you are on the way to court with your adversary, settle your differences quickly. Otherwise, your accuser may hand you over to the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, and you will be thrown into prison. 26And if that happens, you surely won't be free again until you have paid the last penny.* Jesus Teaches about Lust (53) 27"You have heard the commandment that says, ‘ You must not commit adultery.”* 28But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29So if your eye—even your good eye*—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 2¢And if your hand—even your stronger hand*—causes you to sin, cut it off and throwit away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Jesus Teaches about Divorce (54) 31You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’* 32But I say that aman who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery. Jesus Teaches about Vows (55) 33“You have also heard that our ancestors were told,‘ You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the LORD.’* 34But I say, do not make any vows! Do not say, ‘By heaven!’ because heaven is God's throne. $5And do not say, ‘By the earth!’ because the earth is his footstool. And do not say, ‘By Jerusalem’ for Jerusalem is the city of the great King.
36Do not even say, ‘By my head!’ for you can’t turn one hair white or black. $7Just say asimple, ‘Yes, I will,’ or ‘No, I won't.’ Anything beyond this is from the evil one.5:26 Greek the /ast kodrantes {i.e., quadrans]. 5:27 Exod 20:14; Deut 5:18. 5:29 Greek your right eye.5:30 Greek your righthand. 5:31 Deut 24:1. 5:33 Num 30:2.thing we treasure, for instance) than to allow the sin to bring judg-ment and condemnation. Examine your life for anything that causesyou to sin, and take every necessary action to remove it.5:31, 32 Divorce is as hurtful and destructive today as in Jesus’day. God intends marriage to be a lifetime commitment (Genesis2:24). When entering into marriage, people should never considerdivorce an option for solving problems or a way out of a relation-ship that seems dead. In these verses, Jesus is also attacking thosewho purposefully abuse the marriage contract, using divorce tosatisty their lustful desire to marry someone else. Are your actionstoday helping your marriage grow stronger, or are you tearing itapart?5:32 Jesus said that divorce is not permissible except for unfaith-fulness. This does not mean that divorce should automaticallyoccur when a spouse commits adultery. The word translated“unfaithful” implies a sexually immoral life-style, not a confessedand repented act of adultery. Those who discover that their part-ner has been unfaithful should first make every effort to forgive,reconcile, and restore their relationship. We are always to lookfor reasons to restore the marriage relationship rather than forexcuses to leave it.5:33ff Here, Jesus was emphasizing the importance of tellingthe truth. People were breaking vows and using sacred languagecasually and carelessly. Keeping vows and promises is important,it builds trust and makes committed human relationships possible.The Bible condemns making vows or taking oaths casually, givingyour word while knowing that you won’t keep it, or swearingfalsely in God’s name (Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 19:12; Numbers30:1, 2: Deuteronomy 19:16-20). Vows are needed in certain situ-ations only because we live in a sinful society that breeds distrust.5§:33-37 Vows were common, but Jesus told his followers not touse them—their word alone should be enough (see James 5:12).Are you known as a person of your word? Truthfulness seemsso rare that we feel we must end our statements with “I promise.”if we tell the truth all the time, we will have less pressure to backup our words with an oath or promise.
Jesus Teaches about Revenge (56) 38“ You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’* 39But I say, donot resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile,* carry it two miles. 42Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. Jesus Teaches about Loving Enemies (57/Luke 6:27-36) 43“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’* and hate your enemy. *4But I say, love your enemies!* Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends,* how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. 5:38 Greek the /aw that says: ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21. Jesus Teaches about Giving to the Needy (58)
Textual footnotes
- contempt: /f you say to your brother, ‘Raca.’ 5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’ 5:22d Greek Gehenna; also in 5:29, 30.
- curse you. Do good to those who hate you. Compare Luke 6:27-28.
- 5:3 Greek poor in spirit.
- 5:21 Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.
- 5:22a Some manuscripts add without cause.
- 5:22b Greek uses an Aramaic term of
- 5:41 Greek milion [4,854 feet or 1,478 meters]. 5:43Lev 19:18.
- 5:44 Some manuscripts add Bless those who
- 5:47 Greek your brothers.
Life Application Notes 12 notes
5:1,2Enormous crowds were following Jesus—he was the talk of the town, and everyone wanted to see him. The disciples, who were the closest associates of this popular man, were certainly tempted to feel important, proud, and possessive. Being with Jesus gave them not only prestige but also opportunity for receiving money and power. The crowds were gathering once again. But before speaking to them, Jesus pulled his disciples aside and warned them about the temptations they would face as his associates. Don’t expect fame and fortune, Jesus was saying, but mourning, hunger, and persecution. Nevertheless, Jesus assured his disciples that they would be rewarded—but perhaps not in this life. There may be times when following Jesus will bring us great popularity. lf we don’t live by Jesus’ words in this sermon, we will find ourselves using God’s message only to promote our personal interests.
5:3-5Jesus began his sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God's way of living usually contradicts the world’s. If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.
5:3-12The Beatitudes can be understood in at least four ways: (1) They are a code of ethics for the disciples and a standard of conduct for all believers. (2) They contrast Kingdom values (what is eternal) with worldly values (what is temporary). (3) They contrast the superficial “faith” of the Pharisees with the real faith that Christ demands. (4) They show how the Old Testament expectations will be fulfilled in the new Kingdom. These Beatitudes are not multiple choice—pick what you like and leave the rest. They must be taken as a whole. They describe what we should be like as Christ’s followers.
5:3-12Each beatitude tells how to be blessed by God. Blessed means more than happiness. It implies the fortunate or enviable state of those who are in God’s Kingdom. The Beatitudes don’t promise laughter, pleasure, or earthly prosperity. Being “blessed”
5:25,26In Jesus’ day, someone who couldn’t pay a debt was thrown into prison until the debt was paid. Unless someone came to pay the debt for the prisoner, he or she would probably die there. It is practical advice to resolve our differences with our enemies before their anger causes more trouble (Proverbs 25:8-10). You may not get into a disagreement that takes you to court, but even small conflicts mend more easily if you try to make peace right away. In a broader sense, these verses advise us to get things right with our brothers and sisters before we have to stand before God.
5:27,28The Oid Testament law said that it is wrong for a person to have sex with someone other than his or her spouse (Exodus 20:14), But Jesus said that the desire to have sex with someone other than your spouse is mental adultery and thus sin. Jesus emphasized that if the act is wrong, then so is the intention. To be faithful to your spouse with your body but not your mind is to break the trust so vital to a strong marriage. Jesus is condemning not natural interest in the opposite sex or even healthy sexual desire but the deliberate and repeated filling of one’s mind with fantasies that would be evil if acted out.
5:27,28Some think that if lustful thoughts are sin, why shouldn't a person go ahead and do the lustful actions, too? Acting out sinful desires is harmful in several ways: (1) It causes people to excuse sin rather than to stop sinning; (2) it destroys marriages; (3) it is deliberate rebellion against God’s Word; (4) it always hurts someone else in addition to the sinner. Sinful actions are more dangerous than sinful desires, and that is why desires should not be acted out. Nevertheless, sinful desires are just as damaging to obedience. Left unchecked, wrong desires will result in wrong actions and turn people away from God. §:29, 30 When Jesus said to get rid of your hand or your eye, he was speaking figuratively. He didn’t mean literally to gouge out your eye, because even a blind person can lust. But if that were the only choice, it would be better to go into heaven with one eye or hand than to go to helt with two. We sometimes tolerate sins in our life that, left unchecked, could eventually destroy us. It is better to experience the pain of removal (getting rid of a bad habit or some-
5:38God's purpose behind this law was an expression of mercy. The law was given to judges and said, in effect, “Make the punishment fit the crime.” {t was not a guide for personal revenge (Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 24:19, 20; Deuteronomy 19:21). These laws were given to /imit vengeance and help the court administer punishment that was neither too strict nor too lenient. Some people, however, were using this phrase to justify their vendettas against others. People still try to excuse their acts of revenge by saying, “I was just doing to him what he did to me.” §:38-42 When we are wronged, often our first reaction is to get even. instead, Jesus said we should do good to those who wrong us! Our desire should not be to keep score but to love and forgive. This is not natural—it is supernatural. Only God can give us the strength to love as he does. Instead of planning vengeance, pray for those who hurt you.
5:39-44To many Jews of Jesus’ day, these statements were offensive. Any Messiah who would turn the other cheek was not the military leader they wanted to lead a revolt against Rome. Since they were under Roman oppression, they wanted retaliation against their enemies, whom they hated. But Jesus suggested a new, radical response to injustice: Instead of demanding rights, give them up freely! According to Jesus, it is more important to give justice and mercy than to receive it.
5:43,44By telling us not to retaliate, Jesus keeps us from taking the law into our own hands. By loving and praying for our enemies, we can overcome evil with good. The Pharisees interpreted Leviticus 19:18 as teaching that they should love only those who love in return, and Psalms 139:19-22 and 140:9-11 as meaning that they should hate their enemies. But Jesus says we are to love our enemies. If you love your enemies and treat them well, you will truly show that Jesus is LORD of your life. This is possible only for those who give themselves fully to God, because only he can deliver people from natural selfishness. We must trust the Holy Spirit to help us show love to those for whom we may not fee/ love.
5:48How can we be perfect? (1) /n character: In this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. (2) /n holiness: Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world’s sinful values. But unlike the Pharisees, we are to be devoted to God's desires rather than our own and carry his love and mercy into the world. (3) /n maturity: We can't achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult, so God expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development. (4) /n fove: We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us. We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level—perfect, yet with much room to grow. Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all of his disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area, becoming like him. Those who strive to become perfect will one day be perfect, even as Christ is perfect (1 John 3:2, 3).
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 1546
our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim our light, (5) not explaining our light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth—don’t shut your light off from the rest of the world. 5:17 God’s moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israel’s history, however, these laws had often been misquoted and misapplied. By Jesus’ time, religious leaders had turned the laws into a confusing mass of rules. When Jesus talked about a new way to understand God’s law, he was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose. Jesus did not speak against the law itself but against the abuses and excesses to which it had been subjected (see John 1:17). 5:17-20 if Jesus did not come to abolish the law, does that mean all the Old Testament laws still apply to us today? In the Old Testament, there were three categories of law: ceremonial, civil, and moral. (1) The ceremonial law related specifically to Israel’s worship (see Leviticus 1:2, 3, for example). Its primary purpose was to point forward to Jesus Christ; these laws, therefore, were no longer necessary after Jesus’ death and resurrection. While we are no longer bound by ceremonial law, the principles behind them—to worship and love a holy God—still apply. Jesus was often accused by the Pharisees of violating ceremonial law. (2) The civil law applied to daily living in Israel (see Deuteronomy 24:10, 11, for example). Because modern society and culture are so radically different from that time and setting, all of these guidelines cannot be followed specifically. But the principtes behind the commands are timeless and should guide our conduct. Jesus demonstrated these principles by example. (3) The moral jaw (such as the Ten Commandments) is the direct command of God, and it requires strict obedience (see
Study feature · page 1547
SIX WAYS TO THINK LIKE CHRIST
it’s not enough to Avoid killing Offer regular gifts Avoid adultery Be legally married Keep a vow Seek justice for ourselves
We must also Avoid anger and hatred Have right relationships with God and others Keep our hearts from lusting and be faithful Live out marriage commitments Avoid casual and irresponsible commitments to God Show mercy and love to others
Example Murder Sacrifices Adultery Divorce Vows Revenge
Reference §:21, 22 §:23-26 5:27-30 5:31, 32 5:33-37 §:38-47
We, more often than not, avoid the extreme sins but regularly commit the types of sins with which Jesus was most concerned. in these six examples, our real struggle with sin is exposed. Jesus pointed out what kind of lives would be required of his followers. Are you living as Jesus taught?
giving a fuller understanding of why God made that law in the first place. For example, Moses said, “You must not murder” (Exodus 20:13); Jesus taught that we should not even become angry enough to murder, for then we have already committed murder in our heart. The Pharisees read this law and, not having literally murdered anyone, felt that they had obeyed it. Yet they were angry enough with Jesus that they would soon plot his death, though they would not do the dirty work themselves. We miss the intent of God’s Word when we read his rules for living without trying to understand why he made them. When do you keep God's rules but close your eyes to his intent? 5:21, 22. Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin, too, because it also violates God’s command to love. Anger in this case refers to a seething, brooding bitterness against someone. It is a dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. Anger keeps us from developing a spirit pleasing to God. Have you ever been proud that you didn’t strike out and say what was really on your mind? Self-control is good, but Christ wants us to practice thought-control as well. Jesus said that we will be held accountable even for our attitudes. 5:23, 24 Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God (1 John 4:20).
Exodus 20:13, for example). The moral law reveals the nature and will of God, and it still applies today. Jesus obeyed the morai law completely. 5:19 Some of those in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they missed the central point of God’s laws themselves. Jesus made it clear, however, that obeying God’s laws is more important than explaining them. It’s much easier to study God’s laws and tell others to obey them than to put them into practice. How are you doing at obeying God yourself? 5:20 The Pharisees were exacting and scrupulous in their attempts to follow their laws. So how could Jesus reasonably call us to greater righteousness than theirs? The Pharisees’ weakness was that they were content to obey the laws outwardly without allowing God to change their hearts (or attitudes). They looked pious, but they were far from the Kingdom of Heaven. God judges our hearts as well as our deeds, for it is in the heart that our real allegiance lies. Jesus was saying that his listeners needed a different kind of righteousness altogether (out of love for God), not just a more intense version of the Pharisees’ obedience (which was mere legal compliance). Our righteousness must (1) come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves, (2) be God-centered, not self-centered, (3) be based on reverence for God, not approval from people, and (4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law. We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don’t see as about our actions that are seen by all. 5:21, 22 When Jesus said, “But I say,” he was not doing away with the law or adding his own beliefs. Rather, he was
Study feature · page 1548
🗺 This feature includes a map, chart or picture — view the original page image.
Study feature · page 1549
JESUS AND THE OLD TESTAMENT LAW
Reference Examples of Old Testament mercy in justice:
Leviticus 19:18............. “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself, I am the LORD.” Proverbs 24:28, 29 “Don’t testify against your neighbors without cause; don’t lie about them. And don’t say, ‘Now I can pay them back for what they've done to me! I’ll get even with them!” “lf your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat. If they are thirsty, give them water to drink. You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads, and the LORD will reward you.” “Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the LORD forever.” Proverbs 25:21, 22 Lamentations 3:30, 31
What seems to be a case of Jesus contradicting the laws of the Old Testament deserves a careful look. It is too easy to overlook how much mercy was written into the Old Testament laws. Above are several examples. What God designed as a system of justice with mercy had been distorted over the years into a license for revenge. It was this misapplication of the law that Jesus attacked.
Study feature · page 1550
🗺 This feature includes a map, chart or picture — view the original page image.