Week 24 Matthew 5
Matthew’s Sermon-on-the-Mount is cross-referenced to a different sermon that’s recorded in Luke. Matthew’s sermon is given up on the mountain whereas in Luke Jesus went down…and stood on a level place. So they’re two sermons given in two geographic locations. But the similarity is that both of them announce what we call ‘beatitudes’ – blessings that people will get.
Matthew records eight blessings. Luke has four.
Two of Luke’s four are very similar to Matthew’s:
• Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted
• Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
And:
• Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• Blessed are you when people hate you…and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
But the other two blessings – even though they’re similar-sounding – are quite different:
• Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
• Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God
And:
• Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled
• Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.
So Matthew & Luke are saying two different things here:
Being poor-in-spirit is different from being materially & financially poor.
Being hungry-for-righteousness is different from being physically hungry.
Note: quotes from Matthew 5:1 & Luke 6:17. And comparisons from Matthew 5:4 & Luke 6:21. Matthew 5:10 & Luke 6:22. Matthew 5:3 & Luke 6:20. Matthew 5:6 & Luke 6:21 (NIV)