Beautitudes – Parts 1-4 – Review | Peter's Bible Study Notes

Review – Matthew 5:1-10

Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
[2] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
[3] “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
[4] Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
[5] Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
[6] Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
[7] Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
[8] Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
[9] Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Drawn by Jesus’ healing miracles, a large crowd (possibly thousands of people) had gathered from both Jewish and Gentile areas.
Jesus took the opportunity to teach, focussing especially on his inner core of disciples.
In the eight Beatitudes, Jesus is describing the character of those who will inherit the coming Kingdom of God. In giving this teaching Jesus is contrasting the values of HIs Kingdom with the values of this world, setting out conditions for entry into the Kingdom and proclaiming God’s future blessing on those who seek it.
The word blessed (Greek makarios) is repeated in each beatitude. It can mean blessed, happy or fortunate. The blessing is future, but also (in part) experienced in this present age.
Several of the eight beatitudes are paradoxical, because they attribute blessing to people in troubled or difficult circumstances. Thus the Beatitudes are a manifesto that is completely at odds with the values of the people of this present age.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

poor is based on a Greek word that literally means to crouch or cower like a beggar
It conveys the idea of having no resources of our own.
Someone who is poor in spirit has come face to face with their own broken, lost and hopeless condition.
Old Testament background : Isaiah 61:1-3. Good news to the poor.
Kingdom of heaven is the kingdom that Jesus proclaimed (Matthew 4:17), in opposition to the current rulers of Israel; that he inaugurated in his preaching and miracles (Luke 11:20), and that will fill the earth when he returns (1 Corinthians 15:22-26, Habbakuk 2:14).
The opposite of poor in spirit might be self-sufficient or self-satisfied
See Luke 1:51-52

Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Old Testament background : Isaiah 61:1-3. To bind up the broken-hearted, to comfort those who mourn.
Faithful Israelites mourned because of the broken condition of their city and nation, and because of their sins and the sins of their people. Lamentations 2:15
Through the prophets God promised to comfort Israel in a coming day of restoration. Isaiah 61:3
Paul speaks of mourning in repentance ( 2 Corinthians 7:10), which leads to hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11.
When Jesus appeared to his frightened and defeated disciples after his resurrection, they were comforted. John 20:19-20
This is a sign (foretaste) of the comfort and joy that is coming to those who have put their hope in Him.

Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth

See Psalm 37:11 which Jesus was clearly quoting in this Beatitude.
The Hebrew word anah (translated meek in Psalm 37:11) can refer to the poor, powerless, afflicted or humble.
It is used to denote both a position in society and a character quality.
The Greek word praus (translated meek in Matthew 5:5) refers mostly to the character quality of humility or submission.
The root word is used in classical Greek to refer to a horse that has been trained to accept a bit and bridle. This suggests not weakness, but voluntary submission.
It is possible, although rare, for those in positions of great power and authority to walk in true meekness. Moses is described as the meekest man in all the earth. Numbers 12:3.
When Jesus comes to restore all things, it is the meek who will have an inheritance, because they are the ones who have willingly welcomed and yielded to His Kingship.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Many Scriptures speak of hungering and thirsting for God’s presence and mercy. See Psalm 42:2, Isaiah 55;1-3
Righteousness can refer to God’s righteous (just) rule [Psalm 89:14]. It can also refer to a righteous (upright, just, God-honouring) character [Psalm 112], And, it can refer to the free gift of Jesus’ perfect righteousness which is imputed to believers. [Romans 5:17]
All three meanings of righteousness are included in this beatitude. God promises to bless and reward those who hunger and thirst for the free gift of God’s righteousness through Christ’s sacrifice, leading to a righteous character and inclusion in His righteous Kingdom.
This hunger and thirst for righteousness is satisified in part when we turn to Him in repentance, in greater measure when we are welcomed into His presence after death, and in full on the Day of the Lord when Jesus returns to establish His righteous Kingdom on earth.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy

Greek word translated merciful can be translated compassionate.
Hebrews 2:17 speaks of Jesus as a merciful (compassionate) and faithful High Priest.
Greek word translated receive mercy is the passive form of the verb meaning to show mercy
See Matthew 18:21-35 ( note vs 33)
Jesus stated that showing mercy to others is the condition for receiving mercy from God on That Day. Matthew 6:14-15.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Original meaning of katharos (pure)
a pure substance, unmixed (without undesirable elements)
Spiritual application of katharos (pure)
purified by God, free from the contaminating influences of sin.
Only the pure in heart can see God because of His perfect holiness (Ps 24:4, Heb 12:14)
We cannot purify our own hearts, but Jesus can. ( John 15:1-3; 1 John 3:2-3 )
In the New Jerusalem we will see His face ( Rev 22:1-4 )

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

a peacemaker is literally someone who “does peace” or “makes peace”.
See Colossians 1:19-20 and James 3:18 which express similar concepts with similar words.
Jesus is the one who came to reconcile us to God – He is the ultimate peacemaker.
Only Jesus can make true and lasting peace among people
sons of God: The Greek word for son (huios) is the same one used to refer to Jesus as the Son of God or the Son of Man.
The apostles often refer to the disciples as little children, using a word (teknon) that refers to a young child. See 1 John 2:12, 1 John 3:2. But the word huios includes an aspect of inheritance and mature character. See Romans 8:19.
See Hebrews 12:7-8 . A legitimate son (huois) undergoes discipline, the purpose of which is to train him in obedience (Hebrews 5:8) so that he reflects the Father’s character.
Those who are involved in the ministry of seeing people reconciled to God (Colossians 1:19-20) will be recognized on that Day as true sons and daughters of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

See 2 Timothy 2:1-6, James 5:7-11, Acts 5.17-32, Acts 16:16-34
See Romans 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 11:24-33, 12:1-10
See Acts 14:1-23
Story of the Imam’s son who was rejected by his father but to whom God gave a new father.
Mark 10:28-31
Confidence in the reality of God’s coming Kingdom gives people the courage to risk their lives (or their reputation, or their convenience) for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
These accounts do show us the reality of persecution in the lives of the first apostles, but they also show us God’s provision of grace, courage and deliverance (either deliverance to fight another day, or deliverance unto eternal life).
Jesus assures us that if we are persecuted for the sake of God’s Kingdom and His righteousness, we will inherit the Kingdom of God.