Mat 5:1-7 | NET2full | STEP | When he saw the crowds , he went up the mountain . After he sat down his disciples came to him .

Matthew 5:1-7

The Beatitudes

1 When ^{▼▼tn Here δέ (de) has not been translated.} he saw the crowds, he went up the mountain. ^{▼▼tn Or “up a mountain” (εἰς τὸ ὄρος, eis to oros).} ^{▼▼sn The expression up the mountain here may be idiomatic or generic, much like the English “he went to the hospital” (cf. 15:29), or even intentionally reminiscent of Exod 24:12 (LXX), since the genre of the Sermon on the Mount seems to be that of a new Moses giving a new law.} After he sat down his disciples came to him. 2 Then ^{▼▼tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} he began to teach ^{▼▼tn Grk “And opening his mouth he taught them, saying.” The imperfect verb ἐδίδασκεν (edidasken) has been translated ingressively.} them by saying:
3 “Blessed ^{▼▼sn The term Blessed introduces the first of several beatitudes promising blessing to those whom God cares for. They serve as an invitation to come into the grace God offers.} are the poor in spirit, ^{▼▼sn The poor in spirit is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See Pss 14:6; 22:24; 25:16; 34:6; 40:17; 69:29.} for the kingdom of heaven belongs ^{▼▼sn The present tense (belongs) here is significant. Jesus makes the kingdom and its blessings currently available. This phrase is unlike the others in the list with the possessive pronoun being emphasized.} to them.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ^{▼▼sn The promise they will be comforted is the first of several “reversals” noted in these promises. The beatitudes and the reversals that accompany them serve in the sermon as an invitation to enter into God’s care because one can know God cares for those who turn to him.}
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger ^{▼▼sn Those who hunger are people like the poor Jesus has already mentioned. The term has OT roots both in conjunction with the poor (Isa 32:6-7; 58:6-7, 9-10; Ezek 18:7, 16) or by itself (Pss 37:16-19; 107:9).} and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.
7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.