Matthew 5 Sermon on the Mount

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’s words matter.

The Sermon on the Mount is a collection of sayings from the young rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth. Believed to have taken place on what was known most likely as Mount Eremos, Jesus ascends the mountain with his disciples and most likely others who followed from Galilee and teaches as a rabbi would.

Mathew 5 begins with the “Beatitudes” (blessings or blessedness) and continues with teachings on behavior as members of the kingdom.

In “red print” edition, it is the longest single dialogue from rabbi Jesus with both broad and narrow teachings. The challenge is to live this out, not watering down or selectively following just certain instructions from Jesus’s teaching.

This study will cover most of Matthew chapter 5, the beginning of Jesus’s sermon on the mount.

Section 1:

Mathew 5:1-12^{1 5:1} When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. ^5:2 Then he began to teach them by saying:
^5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
^5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
^5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
^5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
^5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
^5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
^5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
^5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
^5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.
^5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.”

The Point: God gives blessings for those following godly behavior.

Question: What are some of the categories of people who are “blessed?”

Section 2:

Mathew 5:13-16
^5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people! ^5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. ^5:15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ^5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

The Point: Jesus says his followers should stand out as a light and an example to others.

Question: What kind of action does Jesus expect from his followers?

Section 3:

Matthew 5:17–20
^5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. ^5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. ^5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ^5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

The Point: The instructions Jesus is giving are of high standards with consequences for both obedience and disobedience.

Question: Jesus says his followers must be more righteous (morally right) than whom?

Section 4:

Mathew 5:21–26
^5:21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ ^5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell. ^5:23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, ^5:24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. ^5:25 Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. ^5:26 I tell you the truth, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

The Point: Jesus says his followers should not hold anger but make amends quickly.

Question: Why does Jesus say he emphasizes coming to a resolution your enemies quickly?

Read through the text again below.²

Section 1:

Mathew 5:1-12
^5:1 When he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. After he sat down his disciples came to him. ^5:2 Then he began to teach them by saying:
^5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
^5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
^5:5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
^5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
^5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
^5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
^5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.
^5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
^5:11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things about you falsely on account of me.
^5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for they persecuted the prophets before you in the same way.”

Section 2:

Mathew 5:13-16
^5:13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its flavor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people! ^5:14 You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden. ^5:15 People do not light a lamp and put it under a basket but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ^5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

Section 3:

Matthew 5:17–20
^5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish these things but to fulfill them. ^5:18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth pass away not the smallest letter or stroke of a letter will pass from the law until everything takes place. ^5:19 So anyone who breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever obeys them and teaches others to do so will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ^5:20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness goes beyond that of the experts in the law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven!

Section 4:

Mathew 5:21–26
^5:21 “You have heard that it was said to an older generation, ‘Do not murder,’ and ‘whoever murders will be subjected to judgment.’ ^5:22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says ‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell. ^5:23 So then, if you bring your gift to the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, ^5:24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and present your gift. ^5:25 Reach agreement quickly with your accuser while on the way to court, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge hand you over to the warden, and you will be thrown into prison. ^5:26 I tell you the truth, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny!

Answer the discussion questions below.

Discussion and application questions:

1. Modern western culture does not agree with the beatitudes. Can you cite examples of people—either individuals or groups—that show meekness, peacemaking, and reflect blessings in their lives?

2. In verse 13, Jesus calls his followers “the salt of the earth.” What does salt do? What does it become when it is watered down?
3. What are your normal responses to anger, and how does what Jesus said challenge you to handle it differently?

Challenge: Remember to familiarize yourself with Jesus’s teachings. Pray for guidance as you follow him in the situations Jesus describes.

Blessing: May God bless and keep you as you reflect Jesus’s instructions, exhibiting behavior that will glorify the Father by being obedient to his son.

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. We find that rereading the text is very helpful—please don’t skip this part of the study![↩]