Mat 5:3-12 | PNT | STEP | Blessed . There follows nine beatitudes, each of which pronounces a blessing upon those who have certain characteristics. The word "blessed" is first applied to God, and means more than "happy", as it has sometimes been translated. Happiness comes from earthly things; blessedness comes from God. It is not bestowed arbitrarily; a reason follows each beatitude. The poor in spirit . The humble, in contrast with the haughty; those sensible of spiritual destitution. The same state of mind is referred to when he speaks elsewhere of a contrite and broken spirit. Is the kingdom of heaven . Such shall become members of the kingdom that Christ will establish. The Jews rejected from this kingdom on account of their spiritual pride.

‏ Matthew 5:3-12

Blessed. There follows nine beatitudes, each of which pronounces a blessing upon those who have certain characteristics. The word "blessed" is first applied to God, and means more than "happy", as it has sometimes been translated. Happiness comes from earthly things; blessedness comes from God. It is not bestowed arbitrarily; a reason follows each beatitude.

The poor in spirit. The humble, in contrast with the haughty; those sensible of spiritual destitution. The same state of mind is referred to when he speaks elsewhere of a contrite and broken spirit.

Is the kingdom of heaven. Such shall become members of the kingdom that Christ will establish. The Jews rejected from this kingdom on account of their spiritual pride. Blessed [are] they that mourn. Not all mourners, for there is "a sorrow of this world that worketh death". Godly sorrow is meant, a mourning over sinfulness. See 2Co 7:10. Blessed [are] the meek. The mild, the gentle, opposed to the proud and ambitious, the kind who succeed in such a kingdom as the Jews expected.

Shall inherit the earth. The land; Canaan as the type of all blessings. It is the heavenly land especially that is inherited. The especial reference is to the Messiah's kingdom, of which "the land" of Canaan was a type. Blessed [are] they which do hunger, etc. This implies the same sense of spiritual needs as verses 3 and 4. Hunger is a felt want, in this case a want of righteousness before God, the righteousness that comes from the forgiveness of sins. See Lu 15:17 Mt 5:3,4. Blessed [are] the merciful. The merciful, those who, instead of resenting injury, are ready to forgive, shall obtain the divine mercy. The fifth petition of the Lord's prayer implies that we must forgive if we expect to be forgiven (Mt 6:12). Blessed [are] the pure in heart. The Jew, under the tuition of the Pharisees, cared little for the state of the heart, so that outward forms were duly kept. Jesus, however, demands that the heart, the affections, the mind, shall be purified, as the fountain from whence flows the moral and religious life. A pure heart begets a pure life; an impure heart, a corrupt life.

They shall see God. Not with the natural eye, but the spiritual vision; by faith. In the pure heart the Lord will dwell and his presence will be recognized. See Joh 14:23. Blessed [are] the peacemakers. Not the soldiers of a warrior king, such as the Jews expected but the men who, in the name of the Prince of Peace, go forth to proclaim peace and good will among men. Christ is the great Peacemaker. Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake. The Jews expected a conquering kingdom, and its citizens to be lords among the nations, but Christ pronounces a blessing on those who are persecuted, not for misdeeds, but for righteousness. These shall have the kingdom. Doubtless these words have sustained and cheered many a martyr. Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you. This is a personal application of what has just preceded. Some of those who listened were reviled by the Jews, and persecuted unto death.

For my sake. In Mt 5:10 it is said "for righteousness' sake". The two expressions mean the same. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad. On account of persecution. The reason why they may justly rejoice is given: "Great is your reward in heaven".

So they persecuted the prophets. Isaiah is said to have been sawed asunder; Jeremiah was thrown into a dungeon and threatened with death; Elijah was hunted by Ahab and Jezebel.