matthew-5:2-4-esv

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-5

The triumphs of humility. The originality of Christ is evinced in these first sentences of his discourse. "Nothing," says David Hume, "carries a man through the world like a true, genuine, natural impudence." Sturdy qualities are approved by men of the world, and quiet virtues are despised. Christ places these in the forefront, and associates with them benedictions in a manner which astonishes the poets, philosophers, and sages of antiquity. Let us— I. REVIEW THE QUALITIES HERE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-9

The benediction of good character. The word "blessed" is taken from beati , which is used in the Vulgate. By it our Lord indicates what will be especially esteemed, and receive special honour, in his new kingdom. To see our Lord's point we should observe what the Pharisaic teachers of his day were proclaiming. According to them, God's blessing rested upon minute acts of obedience; upon precision in keeping every detail of a series of elaborate, man-made rules. The teaching of the day... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-12

Sermon on the mount: 1. The Beatitudes. The subject of the sermon on the mount may be said to be the righteousness of the kingdom. To give all his hearers a clearer conception of this fundamental idea, our Lord speaks The citizens of the kingdom are first described, their character being indicated in the first paragraph, their influence being referred to in Matthew 5:13-16 . The passage containing the Beatitudes will best yield its meaning if we consider I. OUR LORD IS IN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-16

1. The ideal character of his disciples. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:4

In some, especially "Western" authorities, Matthew 5:4 , Matthew 5:5 are transposed ( vide Westcott and Hort, 'Appendix'), possibly because the terms of Matthew 5:5 seemed to be more closely parallel to Matthew 5:3 (cf. Meyer, Weiss), and also those of Matthew 5:4 fitted excellently with Matthew 5:6 . But far the greater balance of evidence is in favour of the usual order, which also, though not on the surface, is in the deepest connexion with the preceding and the following... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:4

The blessedness of the mourner. "Blessed are they that mourn," etc. Perhaps this Beatitude may be counted as the one that most amazed ears and minds, which were not a little amazed by each one in turn. How little real cheerfulness possessed the heart of the people among whom Jesus lived! There was a maddened, frivolous excitement on the one hand; on the other, a tamed-down and habitual dispiritedness. The heritage of the nation at this time was the misery and sense of degradation that came... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:3

Blessed are the poor in spirit - The word “blessed” means “happy,” referring to that which produces felicity, from whatever quarter it may come.Poor in spirit - Luke says simply, Blessed are the poor. It has been disputed whether Christ meant the poor in reference to the things of this life, or to the humble. The gospel is said to be preached to the poor, Luke 4:18; Matthew 11:5. It was predicted that the Messiah would preach to the poor, Isaiah 61:1. It is said that they have special... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:4

Blessed are they that mourn - This is capable of two meanings: either, that those are blessed who are afflicted with the loss of friends or possessions, or that they who mourn over sin are blessed. As Christ came to preach repentance, to induce people to mourn over their sins and to forsake them, it is probable that he had the latter particularly in view. Compare 2 Corinthians 7:10. At the same time, it is true that the gospel only can give true comfort to those in affliction, Isaiah 61:1-3;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:1-2

Matthew 5:1-2. And seeing the multitudes A vast concourse of people assembled from all parts to attend him, some with their sick to obtain cures, for he never rejected any who applied to him; some out of curiosity to see his miracles, and hear his extraordinary doctrine; some with a design to find fault and censure; and some, doubtless, to hear and be edified by his discourses, which seldom failed to make a deep impression on those who had any share of good sense or true piety: the Son of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:3

Matthew 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit The word μακαριοι , here rendered blessed, properly means happy, and it may be better to translate it so, because our Lord seems to intimate by it, not only that the dispositions here recommended are the way to future blessedness, but that they immediately confer the truest and most noble felicity. As happiness was the great end to which the wisest philosophers undertook to conduct their hearers, and as it is our common aim, and an object to... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-5

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:3-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:3

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:4

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:1-2

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:3

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