Matthew 5:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we have a general account of this sermon.

First, the Preacher was our Lord Jesus, the Prince of preachers, the great Prophet of his church, who came into the world as the Light of the world. The prophets and John the Baptist had preached well, but Christ surpassed them all. He is the eternal Wisdom who was with the Father before all worlds and knew his will perfectly (John 1:18). He is also the eternal Word, by whom God has spoken to us in these last days. The many miraculous healings Jesus had just done in Galilee, recorded at the end of the previous chapter, were meant to prepare the way for this sermon. They helped people receive instruction from one who showed such divine power and goodness. This sermon was likely a summary, or repeated form, of what he had been teaching in the synagogues of Galilee. His message was, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This sermon explains the first part of that message, showing what repentance is. It means turning from sin by changing both our thinking and our actions. Later, he taught the second part of the message when, in several parables, he showed what the kingdom of heaven is like (chapter 13).

Second, the place was a mountain in Galilee. In this, as in many other things, our Lord Jesus had poor surroundings. He had no comfortable place to preach, just as he had no place to lay his head. The scribes and Pharisees had Moses’ seat, a place of honor and authority, where they sat in comfort and then twisted the law. But our Lord Jesus, the true Teacher of truth, was driven out into the open country and had no better pulpit than a mountain. It was not even one of the holy mountains, not one of the mountains of Zion, but a common mountain. By this, Christ showed that under the gospel there is no special holiness attached to places as there was under the law. It is God’s will that people pray and preach everywhere, anywhere, as long as it is fitting and orderly.

Christ preached this sermon, which explained the law, on a mountain because the law itself had been given on a mountain. It was also a solemn public showing of the Christian law. Notice the difference, though: when the law was given, the Lord came down on the mountain; now the Lord went up. Then he spoke in thunder and lightning; now he speaks in a quiet and gentle voice. Then the people were told to stay far away; now they are invited to come near. What a blessed change. If God’s grace and goodness are his glory, and they surely are, then the glory of the gospel is the greater glory, because grace and truth came through Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 3:7; Hebrews 12:18). It had been foretold of Zebulun and Issachar, two tribes in Galilee (Deuteronomy 33:19), that they would call the people to the mountain. We are called to this mountain, to learn how to offer righteous sacrifices. This was now the mountain of the Lord, where he taught us his ways (Isaiah 2:2, Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:1, Micah 4:2).

Third, the hearers were his disciples, who came to him at his call, as can be seen by comparing (Mark 3:13) and (Luke 6:13). He spoke mainly to them because they followed him for love and to learn, while others followed him only for healing. He taught them because they were willing to be taught, since the meek are the ones he instructs in his way. He taught them because they would understand what he said, which was foolishness to others. He also taught them because they were to teach others, and so they needed a clear and full understanding themselves. The duties set out in this sermon had to be practiced carefully by all who would enter that kingdom of heaven which they were sent to establish, and all who hoped to share its blessings.

Even though this teaching was directed to the disciples, the crowd heard it too, for it says later that the people were amazed (Matthew 7:28). No barrier was set around the mountain to keep the people away, as had been done around Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:12). Through Christ, we have access to God, not only to speak to him, but also to hear from him. Jesus also had the crowd in view when he preached this sermon. When the fame of his miracles had gathered a large crowd, he used the opportunity to teach them. It encourages a faithful minister to cast the gospel net where there are many fish, hoping that some will be caught. A large crowd should stir a preacher to earnestness, though the desire must be for their good, not for personal praise.

Fourth, the solemnity of his sermon is shown in the words, “when he was seated.” Christ often preached in passing, and in back-and-forth conversation. This was a set sermon, however, and he sat down in a way that made him easier to hear. He sat like a judge or lawgiver. This shows the calm and serious spirit with which the things of God should be spoken and heard. He sat so that the Scripture might be fulfilled, where the refiner sits to purge away the dross, the corrupt teaching of the sons of Levi (Malachi 3:3). He sat as on a throne, judging rightly (Psalm 9:4), because the word he spoke will judge us.

The phrase “he opened his mouth” is simply a Hebrew way of saying that he spoke, as in (Job 3:1). Still, some think it points to the seriousness of this speech. Since the crowd was so large, he raised his voice and spoke more loudly than usual. Before this, he had spoken through his servants the prophets and had opened their mouths (Ezekiel 3:27; Ezekiel 24:27; Ezekiel 33:22). But now he opened his own mouth and spoke freely, with full authority. One old writer said that Christ taught much without opening his mouth, by his holy and perfect life. He even taught when, like a lamb led to the slaughter, he opened not his mouth. But now he opened his mouth and taught, so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled (Proverbs 8:1, Proverbs 8:2, Proverbs 8:6). Does not wisdom cry out, and speak at the highest places? And the words she speaks are right.

He taught them, according to the promise, “All your children shall be taught by the Lord” (Isaiah 54:13). For this purpose he had the tongue of one who is taught well (Isaiah 50:4), and the Spirit of the Lord was upon him (Isaiah 61:1). He taught them what evil they should hate and what good they should hold to and grow in. Christianity is not just a matter of ideas. It is meant to shape our hearts and direct how we live. Gospel time is a time of reform, and through the gospel we must be changed, made good, and made better. The truth as it is in Jesus is the truth that leads to godliness (Titus 1:1).