Tyndale Open Study NotesMatthew 5

This is the first of five long teachings in Matthew (see also 9:35–11:1; 13:1–53; 18:1–19:2; 23:1–26:1). The Sermon on the Mount focuses on the Messiah's call for people to become righteousness. Paul considered righteousness to be God's saving actions and a person's status before God. Jesus uses the term to mean moral behavior that obeys God's will, like the apostle James. Righteousness means doing God's will as Jesus reveals it. This "revelation of righteousness" connects the whole sermon.

The poor in spirit (compare Luke 6:20, 24): in the Old Testament, the poor are often shown as very devoted to God because the rich oppress them. This oppression leads them to trust in the Lord for salvation and help, instead of relying on wealth (Matthew 11:5; Psalms 37:14–15; 40:17; 69:28–33; Isaiah 61:1; 66:2).

In both Matthew’s and Luke’s writings, the “poor” are indeed financially poor, but their trust in God, not their poverty, makes them blessed (Isaiah 57:15; 66:2).

• Those who mourn are the people who felt sad about Israel's spiritual and national condition (see Matthew 23:37–39; Isaiah 61:2–3; Joel 1:8–13; 2:12–13, 18–19; Romans 9:1–5; 1 Corinthians 5:2; James 4:9). It may also include to personal sorrow, whether from sin or tragedy (Mark 16:10; Revelation 18:11, 19).

• will be comforted: The passive voice shows respect for God's holy name. It could also mean God will comfort them (see also Matthew 5:6–7, 9). Comfort will come when God fulfills all his promises (Isaiah 40:1–2; 61:2–3).

• the meek: Jesus almost directly quotes Psalm 37:11 here. In other places, Jesus describes himself in a similar way, contrasting with other teachers (Matthew 11:29). He also avoids pride (Matthew 12:17–21; Matthew 21:5). Jesus shows this trait through his death on the cross (1 Peter 2:23; 1 Peter 3:9).

• The whole earth could also mean the land, referring to God's promise of land to Abraham and his descendants (Genesis 12:7; Genesis 17:8; see Isaiah 60:21). It might also mean God's rule over the entire earth (Matthew 19:28; Matthew 28:18–20; Psalm 115:16).

• Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: These are either followers of Jesus whose main purpose in life is to obey him (see Matthew 3:15; 5:10, 20), or they could be people who want justice for everyone (Psalms 11:7; 85:10–12; Isaiah 11:1–4; Jeremiah 23:5–6; 33:16). They often pray, “Your will be done, on earth” (Matthew 6:10).

• Christ has brought justice and righteousness (Romans 3:21–22; 5:1), and his followers will find satisfaction in it (compare Psalms 42:1–2; 63:1–2).

Jesus emphasized the great importance of being merciful. This means to show kindness to those in need (see Matthew 6:12, 14–15; 9:13; 12:7; 18:23–35; 23:23; 25:31–46). Those who are merciful now will receive God's mercy at the final judgment.

• The pure in heart (see Psalms 24:3–5; 51:7; Isaiah 6:5) differ from those who believed they could please God by following human traditions (see Matthew 23:25–26). Jesus emphasized simple, genuine righteousness from within (see 6:1–24; 15:1–20; 23:23–28; Deuteronomy 6:5).

• They will see God and achieve more than Moses did (see Exodus 33:18–23; 34:5–7; see also Psalm 73:1).

• This teaching likely addressed zealots. These were Jewish revolutionaries who wanted to overthrow Roman rule with violence. The Messiah’s kingdom would come through different methods.

• the peacemakers: Jesus was not calling for complete pacifism. Instead, he called for a new kind of action.

• Peace means no hostility and the presence of God’s salvation (Leviticus 26:6; 1 Samuel 16:4–5; Isaiah 9:5–6; Zechariah 8:16; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20). Those who follow Jesus should work for justice, righteousness, reconciliation, and mercy. These should be the effects of God’s salvation through Christ (Matthew 5:43–47; Luke 10:5–6).

The first followers of Jesus were persecuted by Jewish leaders who were offended by the new teaching of Jesus, which revealed God’s truth with authority (see Matthew 10:17–23; 11:2–6; 12:1–8; 15:1–20; 23:34–36). Since then, following Jesus and his teachings has often led to persecution (10:24–25; 2 Timothy 3:12).

• The great … reward Jesus talks about is not earned by suffering for doing right. It is God's blessing for those who show his grace to others (see Matthew 10:41–42; 20:1–16).

• The ancient prophets are closely connected with the New Testament apostles (see also 13:16–17; 23:29–36; Ephesians 2:20).

The good actions of the disciples will positively impact the world, bringing glory to God. Jesus warns them not to do anything that could harm this positive influence.

• People used salt for a number of reasons:

  • to clean and prevent decay (Ezekiel 16:4),

  • in making agreements (Leviticus 2:13; Numbers 18:19; see study note on 2 Chronicles 13:5), and

  • to flavor food (Job 6:6; Mark 9:50).

• Salt that loses its savor becomes useless or tasteless (see Mark 9:50; Luke 14:34).

Light of the world … city on a hill: How the disciples live will inspire others to live the same way and honor God (see Isaiah 2:2–5; 42:6; 49:6; 51:4; 56:6–8; 60:1–3; Philippians 2:15).

Glorify your Father in heaven: Those who pretend to be religious want people to praise them, but the disciples of Jesus should want people to praise God (see 1 Peter 2:12).

• To abolish would mean to remove and replace the Law of Moses and the writings of the prophets (that is, the whole Old Testament) as God’s revelation of his will.

• until everything is accomplished: This could mean to obey the Old Testament perfectly, complete their teachings, or fulfill their prophecies (see Matthew 1:22; 2:15, 17, 23). Jesus himself embodies everything the Prophets and the Law taught and expected. Now that Christ has arrived, who fulfills these writings, we must understand the Old Testament in relation to him (Luke 24:26, 44).

• The fulfillment of the Law in Christ means that his disciples must obey all of his commands (see Matthew 28:20).

• commandments: This refers to Old Testament commands (5:18) now fulfilled in Christ's teachings (see 5:21–48).

• least in the kingdom of heaven: Jesus may mean that such a person will still enter the kingdom, but only barely and with low status. Another view, based on some Jewish evidence, is that he means eternal exclusion or damnation (compare 8:12, where “those for whom the Kingdom was prepared” are shut out forever).

Unless your righteousness exceeds: The disciples of Jesus need a new kind of righteousness that only he teaches and makes possible. Matthew 5:21–47 shows this and 5:48 summarizes what it is.

This righteousness is different in amount and quality. Jesus is greater than the temple (12:6) and Jonah (12:41). So, the righteousness of his disciples must greatly surpass that of the Jewish religious teachers and Pharisees (see 3:7–9).

You have heard … But I tell you: Jesus contrasts his teachings to six misunderstandings of the law. Each example shows the surpassing righteousness of Jesus. Jesus reveals God's will, which contrasts with human traditions.

it was said to the ancients: The expression refers to the traditional interpretation of the teachers of religious law and Pharisees. Their traditions did not allow murder, but they did allow hatred. The righteous way of life required by Jesus surpasses this attitude. It demands people to live in peace with each other (Matthew 5:23–24). It is not enough to only avoid committing murder (5:22).

• Judgment … Sanhedrin … hell: The second and third punishments are more severe than usual in the time of Jesus. This emphasizes the surpassing righteousness of Jesus and his followers (see Matthew 5:20). They did not accept unresolved conflicts or treating other people as unimportant.

• anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca’: The Aramaic term reqa’ (transliterated as raca) means something like "empty head." This probably means the same thing as cursing someone (literally if you say, ‘You fool’; compare James 2:20). Thinking that other people are unimportant is a sin that expresses itself in different ways.

Jesus provides two examples of making peace in communities and society.

The righteousness of Jesus exposes sin beyond only outward actions. He shows the true purpose of the law.

If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away: These vivid images demand a complete rejection of sin. But even extreme actions like self-harm cannot stop a lustful mind. Jesus calls for a greater righteousness that only he can provide.

Hell (Greek Gehenna): Gehenna was the name of a valley outside Jerusalem. Some kings of Judah used this place to worship idols and even offered children as sacrifices by fire (2 Chronicles 28:3; 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31; 32:35). King Josiah eventually destroyed this site (2 Kings 23:10).

In the New Testament, Gehenna refers to the place where God punishes. Jesus taught that unless his followers live with greater righteousness (living in the right way before God), they will not enter God’s kingdom (Matthew 5:20). Instead, they will face eternal punishment (5:22; 23:33).

Jesus challenges how people misuse the Old Testament rules about divorce (see Deuteronomy 24:1–4; compare Matthew 19:3–9). Only following the rules does not make divorce right. Jesus permits divorce only for sexual infidelity and bans casual divorce (see also 1 Corinthians 7:10–11).

A certificate of divorce is a document that makes a divorce legal. Evidence shows this document allowed remarriage. “The essential formula in the notice of divorce is, ‘Lo, you are free to marry any man.’ … The essential formula in a writ of emancipation is, ‘Lo, you are a freedwoman: lo, you belong to yourself’” (Mishnah Gittin 9:3).

• The exception clause allows, but does not require divorce if a spouse is unfaithful (see also Matthew 19:9). Importantly, Jesus does not require death for the guilty person (see Deuteronomy 22:21–22).

• The idea is that if a man divorces his wife for the wrong reasons, he forces her into adultery by making her remarry. This would violate the law.

• he who marries a divorced woman: It is unclear if Jesus means any divorced woman or only those divorced without a valid reason (like unfaithfulness). Jewish divorce law assumed that legitimate divorces allowed remarriage.

Jesus explains the Old Testament's teachings on oaths (Leviticus 19:12; Numbers 30:2–4; Deuteronomy 23:21–23; Psalm 50:14; Zechariah 8:17).

The Pharisees had different levels of commitment for oaths. For example, oaths not mentioning God were less serious. Jesus teaches that everything connects to God. This includes heaven, earth, Jerusalem, my head (see also Matthew 23:16–22). So, breaking any oath disobeys God's command (see Exodus 20:7).

The main idea is to always be truthful. The teachings of Jesus make a disciple's simple "yes or no" as serious as an oath. Honest people do not need oaths (James 5:12).

The Old Testament allowed fair retribution (payback) (Exodus 21:24–25; Deuteronomy 19:16–21) to keep punishments from being too severe. Yet, Jesus does not allow personal revenge for his disciples. Instead, Jesus teaches finding victory through suffering and the cross (1 Peter 2:23).

Some consider this teaching as a guide for all aspects of life, including politics. Others consider it to apply to personal willingness to give up rights and forgive as God forgives (see Matt 5:48; 18:23–35). Like the servant in Isaiah 50:4–9 and 53:7 (see also Matthew 12:15–21), the followers of Jesus should apply this virtue to honor, possessions, time, or property. True righteousness does not demand its own way.

Forced labor was a humiliating part of Roman rule (see Matthew 27:32). Jesus transformed it into a chance to joyfully serve God. This saying shows that Jesus opposed Jewish revolutionaries, who called for violent resistance (see 5:9).

See Deuteronomy 15:7–11.

Hate your enemy: Jesus is not rejecting the Old Testament. Instead, he is correcting a traditional interpretation that was mistaken (see Exodus 23:4–5). The Old Testament never commands people to “hate your enemy.” The closest verses are in Psalm 139:21–22, where hatred is expressed toward God’s enemies.

By loving everyone, the followers of Jesus would not become children of God. Their actions would demonstrate that they are already God's true children, living according to his nature and will (see Deuteronomy 10:18–19).

If you greet only your brothers: Jews were taught to greet Gentiles (non-Jews) to keep peaceful relations. But such greetings were not the same as those given to “brothers,” meaning fellow Jews.

• This verse connects 5:20–48 as a single unit (see study note on Matthew 4:23–25).

• be perfect: The word “perfect” means maturity, wholeness, and full devotion to God. It describes a complete response to the message of Jesus about the kingdom (19:21; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:28; 4:12; 1 John 4:18). True perfection has love at its center (see Luke 6:36).