Matthew 5 Sermon on the Mount Part 2

Prayer: With expectant hearts and minds, we seek your truth, O God. In this study, help us to be attentive as we listen, careful as we speak, and awake to your wisdom. Open our hearts to your Scripture and give us the courage to change in light of what we read. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

With your group, take turns reading the introduction and text and answering the questions in each section.

Introduction:

Jesus did not merely teach common sense and general principles that everyone accepted. Sometimes he also challenged common assumptions and standard ways of behaving. When we come to his teachings on lust, divorce, oaths, and retaliation, we see how Jesus expected his followers to live radically differently from those around them.

Some of these commands will surely challenge you just as they did his original disciples. That’s no reason to dismiss them, interpret them away, or turn them into metaphors. Life is messy and your situation may be complicated. Nonetheless, it’s helpful to know what the standard is. This is especially important for teaching the next generation, so they can avoid making the mistakes of others. If you’ve committed adultery, been divorced, broken an oath, or visited vengeance upon your enemies, there is forgiveness for those who seek it as well as new life in Christ (see 1 John 1:6–9).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is calling you to a higher standard of living than the world or even the Law of Moses. Let’s see what he said.

Section 1:

Mathew 5:27–32¹ 27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality,² makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

The Point: Beat adultery by fighting lust in your heart. Fight for your marriage instead of divorcing.³

Question: What is the exception that Jesus gives to justify divorce? (verse 32)

Section 2:

Matthew 5:33–37
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all—not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.

The Point: Instead of making oaths, speak honestly and do what you say.⁴

Question: How does not being able to turn one hair white or black relate to avoiding oaths?

Section 3:

Matthew 5:38–42
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your coat also. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.

The Point: Instead of seeking retribution, do not return evil for evil.⁵

Question: What are the four scenarios Jesus used to illustrate his principle of non-resistance?

Section 4:

Matthew 5:43–48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

The Point: Jesus challenges his followers to be like God who loves both the righteous and the unrighteous

Question: How does loving your enemy and praying for those who persecute you make you like God?

Read through the text again below.⁶

Matthew 5:27–32

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away! It is better to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into hell.

31 “It was said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a legal document.’ 32 But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Matthew 5:33–37
33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not break an oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not take oaths at all—not by heaven, because it is the throne of God, 35 not by earth, because it is his footstool, and not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Do not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your word be ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no.’ More than this is from the evil one.

Matthew 5:38–42
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your coat also. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:43–48
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they? 48 So then, be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Answer the discussion questions below.

Discussion and application questions:

1. Out of the instructions Jesus gave about lust, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and loving enemies, which ones do you think are countercultural?
2. Which of them do you think is the most challenging for you personally? Why?
3. Do you think it’s possible to follow Jesus’s teachings on these topics literally? Why or why not?
4. Which of Jesus’s instructions that we’ve covered do you think would transform our society the most if everyone lived it out?
5. Read Romans 12:17–21 and discuss how it relates to what Jesus said about retaliation and loving your enemies.

Challenge: Think of an enemy of yours and pray for that person. If it’s safe to do so, carry out an act of love toward that person.

Blessing: May God bless you and transform you and those you encounter as you obey Jesus’s teachings in your life—regardless of how difficult.

1. Scripture and/or notes quoted by permission. Quotations are from the NET Bible® copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.  All rights reserved.[↩]
2. While the NET Bible translates porneia as “immorality,” most other English translations render it “sexual immorality,” implying any kind of sexual contact outside of marriage or sexual abuse within marriage.[↩]
3. As it turns out, the Bible has much more to say about divorce and remarriage. For more information, see Deut 24:1–4; Mat 19:1–12; Rom 7:1–3; 1 Cor 7:1–40. Also, consult your pastor or elders for help if you’re not sure about the situation you are in or if you need guidance on what to do moving forward.[↩]
4. See also Jas 5:12.[↩]
5. See also 1 Pet 3:9–12.[↩]
6. We find that rereading the text is very helpful—please don’t skip this part of the study![↩]