Matthew 5:1-4 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:1-2

We have here a general account of this sermon. I. The Preacher was our Lord Jesus, the Prince of preachers, the great Prophet of his church, who came into the world, to be the Light of the world. The prophets and John had done virtuously in preaching, but Christ excelled them all. He is the eternal Wisdom, that lay in the bosom of the Father, before all worlds, and perfectly knew his will (John 1:18); and he is the eternal Word, by whom he has in these last days spoken to us. The many... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:3-12

Christ begins his sermon with blessings, for he came into the world to bless us (Acts 3:26), as the great High Priest of our profession; as the blessed Melchizedec; as He in whom all the families of the earth should be blessed, Gen. 12:3. He came not only to purchase blessings for us, but to pour out and pronounce blessings on us; and here he does it as one having authority, as one that can command the blessing, even life for evermore, and that is the blessing here again and again promised to... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

As we have already seen, Matthew has a careful pattern in his gospel. In his story of the baptism of Jesus he shows us Jesus realizing that the hour has struck, that the call to action has come, and that Jesus must go forth on his crusade. In his story of the Temptations he shows us Jesus deliberately choosing the method he will use to carry out his task, and deliberately rejecting methods which he knew to be against the will of God. If a man sets his hand to a great task, he needs his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:1

And seeing the multitudes ,.... The great concourse of people that followed him from the places before mentioned, he went up into a mountain ; either to pray alone, which was sometimes his custom to do, or to shun the multitude; or rather, because it was a commodious place for teaching the people: and when he was set : not for rest, but in order to teach; for sitting was the posture of masters, or teachers, see Matthew 13:2 Luke 4:20 . The form in which the master and his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:2

And he opened his mouth ,.... He spoke with a clear and strong voice, that all the people might hear him; and with great freedom, utterance, and cheerfulness, and things of the greatest moment and importance; and taught them ; not his disciples only, but the whole multitude, who heard him with astonishment; see Matthew 7:28 . Some things in the following discourse are directed to the disciples in particular, and others regard the multitude in general. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit ,.... Not the poor in purse, or who are so with respect to things temporal: for though God has chosen and called many, who are in such a condition of life, yet not all; the kingdom of heaven cannot be said to belong to them all, or only; but such as are poor in a spiritual sense. All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn ,.... For sin, for their own sins; the sin of their nature, indwelling sin, which is always working in them, and is a continual grief of mind to them; the unbelief of their hearts, notwithstanding the many instances, declarations, promises, and discoveries of grace made unto them; their daily infirmities, and many sins of life, because they are committed against a God of love, grace, and mercy, grieve the Spirit, and dishonour the Gospel of Christ: who mourn also... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:1

And seeing the multitudes - Τους οχλους , these multitudes, viz. those mentioned in the preceding verse, which should make the first verse of this chapter. He went up into a mountain - That he might have the greater advantage of speaking, so as to be heard by that great concourse of people which followed him. It is very probable that nothing more is meant here than a small hill or eminence. Had he been on a high mountain they could not have heard; and, had he been at a great distance,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc. - Or, happy, μακαριοι from μα or μη , not, and κηρ , fate, or death: intimating, that such persons were endued with immortality, and consequently were not liable to the caprices of fate. Homer, Iliad i, 330, calls the supreme gods, Θεων μακαρων , the ever happy and Immortal gods, and opposes them to θνητων ανθρωπων , mortal men. τω δ ' αυτω μαρτυροι εστων Προς τε Θεων μακαρων, προς τε θνητων ανθροπων "Be ye witnesses before the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn - That is, those who, feeling their spiritual poverty, mourn after God, lamenting the iniquity that separated them from the fountain of blessedness. Every one flies from sorrow, and seeks after joy, and yet true joy must necessarily be the fruit of sorrow. The whole need not (do not feel the need of) the physician, but they that are sick do; i.e. they who are sensible of their disease. Only such persons as are deeply convinced of the sinfulness of sin, feel the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:1-2

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:3-12

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:4

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