Matthew 5 explained

In Matthew 5 the first and the eighth "Blessed" sayings end with the same words, "for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (5:3, 5:10). And the first time Matthew calls God Father is here, in Jesus's words: "glorify your Father who is in heaven" (5:16).

"Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him" (5:1). "He opened his mouth and taught them, saying" (5:2), and his first word is Blessed (tap Blessed). Nine verses in a row begin with it (5:3-11). Eight of them speak of others: "Blessed are the poor in spirit" (5:3), "those who mourn" (5:4), "the gentle" (5:5), "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (5:6), "the merciful" (5:7), "the pure in heart" (5:8), "the peacemakers" (5:9), and "those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake" (5:10). Each gives a reason, beginning for. The ninth turns to his hearers: "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake" (5:11), and goes on, "Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven" (5:12). Here is what almost everyone misses: the first and the eighth end with the same words, "for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (5:3, 5:10), and in the Greek text the WEB translates the words are the same too. Each of the six between them goes on with "they shall": "they shall be comforted" (5:4), "they shall inherit the earth" (5:5), "they shall be filled" (5:6), "they shall obtain mercy" (5:7), "they shall see God" (5:8), and "they shall be called children of God" (5:9). Matthew makes no comment on the order, and these notes don't either.

"But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also" (5:39). Matthew names the right cheek. Luke's words are "To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other" (Luke 6:29). Neither Gospel says why, and these notes don't either. Favor's Exodus 21 sets out how Christians read 5:38-39.

Matthew 5:39 · Luke 6:29

Exodus 20:13→leads toMatthew 5:21-22

"You shall not murder" (20:13). Jesus quoted it: "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’" (Matthew 5:21). Then he took it further: "But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:22). He had just said, "Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill" (Matthew 5:17).

μακάριοςmakariossay mak-AR-ee-os

Strong's: "supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off". Thayer: "blessed, happy", and he lists 5:3-11 under sayings in which someone is "pronounced blessed". The word opens nine verses in a row, 5:3-11, once in each. Matthew's Greek has it 13 times (counted in RP2018, the Byzantine text the WEB translates), so nine of the 13 are here. Later Jesus says, "Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me" (11:6), and "But blessed are your eyes, for they see" (13:16). Luke has the same word in his telling: "Blessed are you who are poor" (Luke 6:20).

Jesus begins with nine sayings that start with "Blessed" (5:3-11). Which one speaks to you most this week, and why?