Matthew
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Matthew 5
Matthew 5
Commentary · verses 1-48
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
1And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
2And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Commentary · verses 1-2
Jesus went to a mountain and taught His disciples and the multitudes principles.
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Commentary · verse 3
The "poor in spirit" were those who recognized they were in need of God's Spirit to lead their lives.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Commentary · verses 4-5
"Meek" was humility: the ability to consider another perspective, including that you could be wrong.
6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Commentary · verses 6-8
"Pure in heart": the heart is the most fertile soil. Everything we say and do is planted in the heart and it will result in a crop, either profitable or unprofitable.
Doctrines on this passage
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Commentary · verse 9
Most people believe peace means a lack of conflict. However, peace meant "harmony." Those who were "peacemakers" were those who could intentionally facilitate harmony between people. This would happen primarily by helping people handle conflict well, not avoiding it.
10Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Commentary · verse 10
We are all in the kingdom of heaven, both good and bad. However, the "good" have Salvation. This kingdom of heaven is theirs, it belongs to them.
11Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.
11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Commentary · verses 11-12
We ought to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when we are persecuted because we will have great Reward in heaven. Notice, verses 3 through 12 were stated in order of increasing maturity. It takes more maturity to do each subsequent verse.
Doctrines on this passage
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost its savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.
13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Commentary · verse 13
Salt does not add to the taste, it masks the bitterness allowing more of the true flavor to be experienced. Believers ought to remove bitterness from the world.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the stand; and it shineth unto all that are in the house.
16Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Commentary · verses 14-16
We should let others see our light so that they will glorify God. Other people glorifying God means they would think highly of God and ultimately give themselves to God.
17Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Commentary · verse 17
Jesus came to fulfill the Law: Jesus was able to keep all of the Law without sinning.
Doctrines on this passage
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the law, till all things be accomplished.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven.
18For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Commentary · verses 18-20
Our Righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
This usage of "kingdom of heaven" was referring to eternal paradise with God. The "righteousness" here was God's Righteousness through you via the Holy Spirit: grace.
Doctrines on this passage
21Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.
21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Commentary · verses 21-22
Those angry with a brother (believer) without cause were in danger of judgment. Jesus, as a Semikah Rabbi, widened Doctrine. Verse 21 stated the current Doctrine of the time. Verse 22 was the additional Doctrine.
23If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee, 24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Commentary · verses 23-25
Agreeing with your adversary quickly helps your adversary run down quicker. If you hinder your adversary by fighting what they are saying or doing, you may give them more energy to go the wrong direction.
Doctrines on this passage
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
27Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Commentary · verses 26-28
It was adultery when a man lusted after a woman in his heart. This meant he would be imagining sexual intercourse with her. Again, verse 27 was the current Doctrine of the time. Verse 28 was the widened Doctrine.
29And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.
31It was said also, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: 32but I say unto you, that every one that putteth away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, maketh her an adulteress: and whosoever shall marry her when she is put away committeth adultery.
29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Commentary · verses 29-32
Profitability was the measure of community, including Marriage. It was better to cut off an unprofitable part of the "body" than to keep it and risk the unprofitable part making the whole body unprofitable. Verse 31 was the Doctrine of the time. Verse 32 was the widened Doctrine.
"Putting away" a believing wife (fornication would prove she was not a believer) was not recognized by God. God would still see the couple as married and sexual intercourse with another as adultery. This verse did not mean that the only reason for divorce among believers was adultery.
Putting away and divorce were two different Doctrine.
Doctrines on this passage
33Again, ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: 34but I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by the heaven, for it is the throne of God;
33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:
Commentary · verses 33-34
Swear (make an oath/vow/promise) not at all. Again, verse 33 was the current Doctrine of the time. Verses 34 through 37 were the widened Doctrine.
35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, for thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your speech be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one.
35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
Commentary · verses 35-37
Actions are what matters and that your SAY and DO are the same. Jesus stated not to take an oath. What would Jesus say about today's wedding ceremonies and the vows? For instance, vowing to love your spouse always and forever sounds godly. However, the first time a person does not love their spouse, he has broken his vows...and perhaps let in the evil one.
Doctrines on this passage
Commentary · verses 38-48
Verses 38-48: Jesus was introducing how to intentionally get Reward.
38Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go one mile, go with him two.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Commentary · verse 42
Again, verse 38 was the current Doctrine of the time. Verses 39 through 42 were the widened Doctrine.
43Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you;
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Commentary · verse 44
Love your enemies. Love must not be an emotion or how could you intentionally love your enemies? "Love" is "giving a value to someone without expecting a value in return from the person you gave to." Again, verse 43 was the current Doctrine of the time. Verses 44 through 48 were the widened Doctrine.
45that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust.
46For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the Gentiles the same?
48Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Doctrines on this passage
This chapter began what was referred to as "The Sermon on the Mount." This was Jesus' premier teaching.