1.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
seeing. App-133 .
a mountain = the mountain. Well known and therefore unnamed, but corresponds with the Mount of Olives in the Structure of the Gospel as a whole. There is a reference also to Sinai.
set. The posture of the Oriental teacher today.
2.
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
opened His mouth. Hebrew idiom. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6 , for speaking (Job 3:1 , Daniel 10:16 , Acts 8:35 ).
taught them. See note on Mat 7:39 , and the Structure, above. The Structure is the commentary showing that this teaching is connected with the proclamation of the kingdom (Matthew 5:3 ), and is to be interpreted by it. As the kingdom was rejected and is now in abeyance, so likewise this discourse is in abeyance with all its commands, &c, until "the gospel of the kingdom" is again proclaimed, to herald its drawing nigh. Parts of this address were repeated at different times and on different occasions. Luke nowhere professes to give the whole address in its chronological setting or entirety. Only some thirty separate verses are so repeated by Luke out of 107 verses in Matthew. The later repetitions in Luke were given in "a plain" (Luke 6:17 ) and after the calling of the Twelve (Luke 6:13 ); here the whole is given before the calling of the Twelve (Matthew 9:9 ). These are marks of accuracy, not of "discrepancy" as alleged. Modern critics first assume that the two accounts are identical, and then say: "No one now expects to find chronological accuracy in the evangelical records"! For the relation of the Sermon on the Mount to Psalms 15 , see App-70 ; and to the seven "woes" of Matthew 23 , see App-126 .
3.
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed = Happy, representing the Hebrew 'ashrey (not baruk, blessed). 'Ashrey (Figure of speech Beatitudo, not Benedictio) occurs in nineteen Psalms twenty-six times; elsewhere only in eight books (Deuteronomy, 1Kings, 2 Chronicles, Isaiah, Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Daniel) The Aramaic equivalent for 'ashrey is tob (singular, plural, or dual). See App-94 ., and App-63 . Greek. makarios = happy (not eulogetos, which = blessed, and is used only of God (Mark 14:61 .Luke 1:68 . Romans 1:25 ; Romans 9:5 ; 2 Corinthians 1:3 ; 2 Corinthians 11:31 .Ephesians 1:3 . 1 Peter 1:3 ).
poor in spirit. The equivalent for the Aramaic ( App-94 ., p. 135) 'anaiyim (Hebrew. 'anah. See note on Proverbs 1:11 ) = poor in this world (as in Luke 6:20 ), in contrast with the promise of the kingdom. Compare James 2:5 .
spirit. Greek. pneuma. See App-101 .
the kingdom of heaven. Then proclaimed as having drawn nigh (Matthew 3:2 ; Matthew 4:17 ). See App-114 .
heaven = the heavens. See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .
4.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed. Note the Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ). The eight Beatitudes are to be contrasted with and understood by the eight "woes" of Matthew 23:13-33 . See App-126 .
5.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
meek. Compare Psalms 37:11 .
the earth: or, the land. Greek. ge. See App-129 .
6.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
hunger and thirst, &c. The idiom for a strong desire. Compare Psalms 42:1 , Psalms 42:2 ; Psalms 119:103 .
7.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
merciful = compassionate. Compare Psalms 41:1 .
mercy. Not merely now, but in the manifestation of the kingdom, James 2:13 (compare Hebrews 4:16 ; Hebrews 8:12 ; Hebrews 10:28 ).
8.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
pure in heart. Compare Psalms 24:4 ; Psalms 73:1 .
9.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
peacemakers. Compare Psalms 133:1 . Greek. eirenopoios. Occurs only here.
children = sons. Greek. huios.
10.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
a re persecuted = have been persecuted. Compare Psalms 37:39 , Psalms 37:40 .
for = on account of.
for righteousness'sake. Not otherwise.
11.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
revile = reproach.
evil = harmful thing. Greek. poneros. App-128 .
falsely. This is another condition of the happiness of Matthew 5:3 .
12.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Rejoice, &c. See 1 Peter 4:13 . Compare Acts 16:25 .
for = because. Not the same as in Matthew 5:3 , &c.
13.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
ye. Representing the kingdom of Matthew 5:3 with Matthew 4:17 .
are = represent. Figure of speech Metaphor. App-6 .
salt. Compare Mark 9:50 . Luke 14:34 , Luke 14:35 .
if. See App-118 . b, expressing a real contingency; for, if the salt is stored on the bare earth, or is exposed to the air or sun, it does lose its savour and is fit for no place but the streets (see Thomson's Th e Land and the Book, Lond., 1869, p. 381).
his = its.
of = by. Greek. hupo.
of men. Belongs to former clause, as well, by Figure of speech Ellipsis , App-6 .
14.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
light. Greek. phos = light. See App-130 .
world. Greek. kosmos. See App-129 .
A city. Safed, so placed, was within sight.
15.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Neither = and not (Greek. ou) . App-105 .
candle = lamp. Greek. luchcnos.
a bushel = the measure. Greek. modion = a dry measure: i.e. any measure there may happen to be in the house.
on = upon. Greek. epi .
a candlestick = the lampstand. Greek. luchnia . App-130 .
16.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
so = thus.
that = so that.
17.
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Think not, &c. = Deem not for a moment. A very necessary warning against making this mount another Sinai, and promulgating the laws of the kingdom proclaimed in and from Matthew 4:17 .
I am come = I have come. Implying former existence. Compare Matthew 8:10 .
destroy = pull down, as in Matthew 26:61 .
the law. The first of fifteen references to the Law by Christ (Matthew 5:17 , Matthew 5:18 ; Matthew 7:12 ; Matthew 11:13 ; Matthew 12:5 ; Matthew 22:40 ; Matthew 23:23 .Luke 10:26 ; Luke 16:6 , Luke 16:17 ; Luke 24:44 .John 7:19 , John 7:19 , John 7:23 ; John 8:17 ; John 10:34 ; John 15:25 ), five of these coupled with "Moses".
18.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
verily. Greek. amen . Used only by the Lord. Same as Hebrew. 'amen, preserved in all languages. Should be so given at the beginning of sentences. Always (except once) double in John; twenty-five times. with the earth. (See notes on Matthew 6:9 , Matthew 6:10 .)
earth = the earth. App-129 .
jot = yod . Greek. iota . Occurs only here. The smallest Hebrew letter (= Y). The Massorites numbered 66,420.
tittle = the merest ornament. Not the difference between two similar Hebrew letters, e.g. ( Resh = R) and ( Daleth = D), or ( Beth = B) and ( Kaph - K), as alleged, but a small ornament placed over certain letters in the Hebrew text. See App-93 . The Eng. "tittle" is diminutive of title (Latin. titulus) = a small mark placed over a word for any purpose: e.g. to mark an abbreviation.
in no wise. Greek. ou me.
19.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Whosoever = every one that (with Greek. an. Supposing the case). See note on "Till", Matthew 5:18 . Note the Figure of speech Anaphora ( App-6 ).
these least = these shortest. Referring not to what men might thus distinguish, but to the difference made by the Lord between the whole Law and its minutiae.
20.
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
the righteousness. Supply "[that]".
Pharisees. See App-120 .
in no case. See App-105 .
21.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
heard. In the public reading of the Law.
it was said. Opposite to "I say". Compare Matthew 19:8 , Matthew 19:9 , where the "I" is not emphatic (as it is here). See Exodus 20:13 .Deuteronomy 5:17 . App-117 .
by them = or to them.
22.
But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
brother. An Israelite by nation and blood; while a neighbour was an Israelite by religion and worship (= a Proselyte). Both distinct from the heathen. So the Talmud defines them.
without a cause. Omitted by LT [Trm. A], WH R.
in danger of = liable to.
judgment. The council of three in the local synagogue. See App-120 .
Raca. In 1611 edition spelled "Racha"; changed in 1638 edition to "Raca". An Aramaic word, see App-94 .; not a contumelious epithet, but a contemptuous interjection, expressing the emotion or scorn of a disdainful mind (so Augustine), like Eng. "You! "Compare Latin. Heus tu, Greek. raka. Occurs only here.
in danger of = liable to.
the council = the Sanhedrin. The supreme national court. See App-120 .
Thou fool. Greek. mores . Hebrew. nabal. Always = a wicked reprobate, destitute of all spiritual or Divine knowledge (compare John 7:49 ).
of = to or unto. Greek. eis. App-104 .
hell fire = the gehenna of fire, from Hebrew. gey Hinnom = the valley of Hinnom, profaned by the fires of Moloch worship (2 Chronicles 33:6 ), and defiled by Hezekiah. Also called "Tophet", Isaiah 30:33 . Here the refuse of Jerusalem was continually being burnt up by the perpetual fires (compare Jeremiah 7:31-33 . 2 Kings 23:10 . Mark 9:48 . Isaiah 66:24 ). See App-131 .
23.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
bring = offer, as in Matthew 5:24 .
gift: i.e. sacrifice.
to = up to. Greek. epi .
24.
Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Leave. An unusual practice.
be reconciled. Greek. dialattomai. Occurs only here.
25.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
Agree = Be well-minded. Greek. eunoeo. Occurs only here. adversary = opponent (in a lawsuit).
with. Greek. meta.
officer. Here = the tax-collector, as shown by the Papyri. See note on Luke 12:58 .
26.
Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.
by no means. Greek. on me. Compare App-105 .
uttermost = last.
farthing: which shows it to be a case of debt. See App-51 .
27.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
THE LAW OF ADULTERY. Thou, &c. Quoted from Exodus 20:14 .Deuteronomy 5:18 . App-117 .
28.
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
whosoever = every one that.
looketh = keeps looking See App-133 .
a woman = a married woman.
29.
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
thy right eye: i.e. thy choicest possession. Figure of speech Hypocatastasis. App-6 .
offend = causeth thee to stumble (morally). Compare Matthew 18:6 . 1 Corinthians 1:23 .
30.
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut if off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
thy right. See note on Matthew 5:29 .
31.
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
It hath been said. It was said. See Deuteronomy 24:1 .
32.
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
33.
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:
THE LAW OF PERJURY. it hath been said = it was said. See Leviticus 19:12 ; also App-107 .
Thou shalt not, &c. Quoted from Exodus 20:7 . Numbers 30:2 .Deuteronomy 23:21 .
forswear = swear falsely. Greek. epiorkeo. Occurs only here.
the LORD. See App-98 .
34.
But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:
at all. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6 ;. not lightly. The particulars given in verses: Matthew 5:35 , Matthew 5:36 .
by. Greek. en.
God's. App-98 .
35.
Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
the city of the great King. Only here in N.T. Compare Psalms 48:2 , referring to Zion. Contrast 2 Kings 18:19 , 2 Kings 18:28 . See note on Matthew 4:5 .
36.
Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.
37.
But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.
communication = word Greek. logos. Omit "be". Yea, yea = Yes, [be] yes. Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .
Nay, nay = Nay, [be] nay.
whatsoever = what.
cometh = is.
of = out of. Greek. ek. App-104 .
38.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
THE LAW OF RETALIATION. it hath been said = it was said. Quoted from Exodus 21:24 . Compare Lev 24:24 .Deuteronomy 19:21 . See App-107 .:2 and 117.
39.
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
smite. Greek. rapizo. Occurs only in Matthew (here and Matthew 26:67 ).
40.
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
if any man, &c. = to him who, wishing to go to law with thee.
will = wishing. Greek. thelo. See App-102 .
coat = now called the sulta = an outer jacket or tunic, Greek. chiton.
cloke. The jibbeh, juteh, or benish, a long robe or mantle, full, with short sleeves, Greek. himation. See Matthew 27:32 .Mark 15:21 . Compare Luke 3:14 .
41.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
to go: i.e. to carry his baggage. Compare Luke 3:14 .
a mile. Greek. million (from Latin. miliarium) . Occurs only here.
42.
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
would = would fain. Greek. thelo . App-102 .
of = from. Grr. apo.
43.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
THE LAW OF LOVE. it hath been said = it was said. Quoted from Leviticus 19:18 .
thine enemy = thy foe. Personal, political, or religious.
44.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
bless them . . . hate you . This clause is omitted by all the critical Greek texts. See App-94 .
pray. Greek. proseuchomai. App-134 .
for = on behalf of. Greek. huper.
45.
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
be = become.
46.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
what reward, &c. The Lord varies the wording of this when repeating it later in Luke 6:35 .
not. Greek. ouchi. A strengthened form of ou. App-105 .
Publicans = tax-gatherers. Hence, extortioners. Latin. = publicani.
47.
And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
publicans. L. with Vulgate and some codices read "Gentiles". The publican was despised; Gentiles were detested.
48.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
perfect. In thus acting on the principles of grace, in conformity with the laws of the kingdom here promulgated. Greek. teleios. See App-125 .
your . . . heaven. All the texts read "your heavenly Father". See note on Matthew 6:14 .