Matthew 5:3-12

Matthew 5:3-2 Kings : . The Beatitudes ( cf. Luke 6:20-Isaiah :).— These nine sayings (eight if we reckon Matthew 5:10-2 Kings : as one, or regard Matthew 5:11 f. as having originally stood elsewhere; seven if we omit Matthew 5:5) have analogies in OT ( e.g. Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1; Psalms 89:15; Proverbs 8:32; Isaiah 32:20) and in other parts of the Gospel and NT ( e.g. Matthew 13:16, Luke 12:37, James 1:12, Revelation 14:13). Blessed connotes happy and successful prosperity. the poor ( Matthew 5:3), i.e. the pious in Israel, not necessarily, though usually, poor in worldly possessions, yet rich in faith ( James 2:5). Lk. perhaps keeps the original wording, but Mt. gives the right interpretation by adding in spirit. Cf. W. Sanday in Exp., Dec. 1916. Theirs is the kingdom of heaven, i.e. potentially; the actual possession is still ( Matthew 5:4-1 Samuel :) in the future. We are not to limit mourn ( Matthew 5:4) to penitence for sin; one of the titles of the Messiah was “ Comforter.” Meek ( Matthew 5:5) is the antithesis of arrogant; the idea of inheritance goes back to the Hebrew occupation of Canaan, and is used in Psalms 37 and in apocalyptic writings; here it is another aspect of the possession of the Kingdom ( cf. Matthew 19:29, Matthew 25:34). If we follow some early (chiefly Latin) authorities in transposing Matthew 5:4-Deuteronomy :, we get a good contrast between “ heaven” ( Matthew 5:3) and “ earth” ( Matthew 5:5). Lk. omits Matthew 5:5. In 6 and thirst after righteousness (Gr. “ the righteousness,” i.e. the longed-for blessing in the coming Kingdom) is a gloss; Lk. is to be preferred. The “ poor” (in spirit) already possess righteousness in the form of moral goodness. They also have the compassionate spirit, and they shall receive compassion in the coming Kingdom ( Matthew 5:7). For the connexion between righteousness and mercy cf. Psalms 36:10; Psalms 85:10. To possess the Kingdom is to see God ( Matthew 5:8), and this is for the pure in heart (as distinct from the ceremonially pure); cf. Psalms 24:3 f. Note the complementary truth of 1 John 3:2 f. The peacemaker (not, as was generally believed, every Israelite) shall be called ( i.e. “ shall be” ; the name stands for the nature) in the coming age God’ s son ( Matthew 5:9), because he shares God’ s nature ( cf. Matthew 5:45, also Luke 20:36). Righteousness in Matthew 5:10 is (contrast Matthew 5:6) a quality for which the “ poor” are persecuted; the saying connects with the first beatitude and completes the golden chain. Matthew 5:11 f. is an expansion and application of Matthew 5:10. The persecuted are to rejoice because of, not despite, the persecution ( cf. Lk.); in heaven means “ with God” (Dalman, Words, 206ff.). While the teaching of Jesus often reflects the current thought of His day on the question of rewards and punishments ( cf. p. 665), viz. that they were graduated and quantitative, we also find in it new elements which transform the idea, and so even eliminate it. Reward is qualitative and identical for all ( Matthew 20:1-Nehemiah :,* Matthew 25:21-Isaiah :), it is the Kingdom of Heaven ( Matthew 5:3-2 Samuel :), it is given to those for whom it has been prepared ( Matthew 20:23). Cf. also Matthew 25:14 f., Luke 17:9 f ., and M’ Neile, pp. 54f.