Matthew 5: Jesus teaches on the mountain
A free study, verse by verse. Text: World English Bible. Notes come from the Greek. How to read a study
What happens?
Jesus goes up onto the mountain and his disciples come to him. He begins with a series of blessings, calls his hearers the salt of the earth and the light of the world, and speaks about the law and the prophets. He then gives six sayings that set what was said to the ancient ones beside "But I tell you", about murder and anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, striking back, and loving enemies, and ends by telling them to be perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect.
Who is speaking?
The narrator tells verses 1 and 2. Jesus speaks in verses 3 to 48, and his teaching goes on into chapter 6. Inside his words he quotes what was said to the ancient ones, such as "You shall not murder" and "An eye for an eye". No verse is in gold. God's own words are printed in gold, and those verses are marked God speaks
1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him.
In plain English: When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up onto the mountain. After he sat down, his disciples came to him.
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2He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
In plain English: He opened his mouth and taught them. He said,
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3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
In plain English: "Blessed (or: Happy) are the poor in spirit, because the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
The Greek word: "Blessed" is makarios. The dictionary gives "supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off". It is in 13 verses of Matthew, and in all 13 this Bible prints "blessed".
How it is translated: This Bible has "blessed".
What changes: Read as "blessed", the line pronounces a blessing on these people. Read as "happy" or "fortunate", it says how well off they are.
The Greek words: "The poor in spirit" is hoi ptochoi to pneumati, word for word "the poor in the spirit". The dictionary gives ptochos as "a beggar (as cringing), i.e. pauper". has "Blessed are you who are poor", without the words about spirit.
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4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
In plain English: Blessed are those who mourn, because they will be comforted.
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5Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
In plain English: Blessed are the gentle (or: meek), because they will inherit the earth (or: the land).
The Greek word: "Gentle" is praus. The dictionary gives "mild, i.e. (by implication) humble". The word card on this page shows "meek".
Good to know: The line is close to : "But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace." The Greek word ge can be "earth" or "land": the dictionary gives "soil; by extension a region", and goes on to the whole earth. In it is "the land of Israel". Where Psalm 37:11 has "land", this Bible's Matthew has "earth".
What changes: Read as "land", the line matches the wording of the Psalm. Read as "earth", it speaks of the whole earth.
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6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
In plain English: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be filled.
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7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
In plain English: Blessed are the merciful, because they will receive mercy.
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8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
In plain English: Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
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9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
In plain English: Blessed are the peacemakers, because they will be called children (or: sons) of God.
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10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
In plain English: Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, because the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
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11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
In plain English: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me.
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12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
In plain English: Rejoice and be very glad, because your reward in heaven is great. In the same way they persecuted the prophets who came before you.
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13“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
In plain English: You are the salt of the earth (or: the land). But if the salt loses its taste, what can it be salted with? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and walked on by people.
The Greek word: "Loses its taste" is moranthe, from moraino. The dictionary gives "to become insipid" (tasteless) and, figuratively, "as a simpleton". The same Greek word is in 4 verses of the New Testament: here, , and . In Romans this Bible has "became fools" and in 1 Corinthians "made foolish".
What changes: Read as "become tasteless", the verse speaks of salt that has lost its taste. Read as "become foolish", it uses the word that is used of people in Romans and 1 Corinthians. The verse itself speaks of salt.
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14“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.
In plain English: You are the light of the world. A city sitting on a hill cannot be hidden.
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15Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house.
In plain English: People do not light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand, and it shines for everyone in the house.
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16Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
In plain English: In the same way, let your light shine in front of people, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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17“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
In plain English: Do not think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
The Greek words: "Destroy" is katalyo. The dictionary gives "to loosen down (disintegrate), i.e. (by implication) to demolish". The word card shows "abolish". "Fulfill" is pleroo, explained at .
What changes: Because "fulfill" stands against "destroy", it can be read as "complete", "carry out" or "fill up". The verse does not say which, and does not say how he fulfills the law.
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18For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished.
In plain English: I tell you most certainly: until heaven and earth pass away, not one smallest letter or one tiny stroke of a pen will pass away from the law, until everything is accomplished (or: has happened).
The Greek words: "Smallest letter" is iota, which the dictionary gives as "the name of the eighth letter of the Greek alphabet, put (figuratively) for a very small part of anything". "Tiny stroke of a pen" is keraia, which the dictionary gives as "something horn-like, i.e. (specially) the apex of a Hebrew letter (figuratively, the least particle)". Iota is in this verse only in the New Testament, and keraia is here and in .
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19Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
In plain English: So whoever breaks (or: loosens) one of these least commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
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20For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
In plain English: I tell you that unless your righteousness is greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will certainly not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
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21“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’
In plain English: "You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not murder,' and, 'Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'
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22But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
In plain English: But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, 'Raca!' will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
The Greek words: "Raca" is Raka. The dictionary gives "O empty one, i.e. thou worthless (as a term of utter vilification)". It is in this verse only in the New Testament. "The council" is synedrion, which the dictionary gives as "a joint session, i.e. (specially), the Jewish Sanhedrin; by analogy, a subordinate tribunal".
The Greek word: "Gehenna" is geenna. The dictionary gives "valley of (the son of) Hinnom; ge-henna (or Ge-Hinnom), a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment". It is in 7 verses of Matthew, and in all 7 this Bible prints "Gehenna". The word card on this page shows "hell".
The Greek word: "Without a cause" is eike. The dictionary gives "idly, i.e. without reason (or effect)". It is in the Byzantine Greek text this study follows, and it is not in the Tischendorf Greek text in the same database.
Good to know: The valley of Hinnom is named in the Old Testament, for example in and in : "He defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom." This verse says only "the fire of Gehenna" and does not describe it further.
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23“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,
In plain English: "So if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you,
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24leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
In plain English: leave your gift there in front of the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
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25Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
In plain English: Agree quickly with the one who accuses you, while you are with him on the way. Otherwise the accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.
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26Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
In plain English: I tell you most certainly: you will by no means get out from there until you have paid the last penny.
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27“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
In plain English: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'
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28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
In plain English: But I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman in order to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The Greek words: "Lust after" is epithymeo. The dictionary gives "to set the heart upon, i.e. long for (rightfully or otherwise)". The words "in order to" are pros to, so the line is word for word "looking at a woman in order to desire her". "A woman" is gyne, which the dictionary gives as "a woman; specially, a wife".
How it is translated: This Bible has "lust after" and "a woman".
What changes: Read as "desire", the Greek word on its own only says longing, and the words "in order to" tell why he looks. Read as "lust after", it names wrong desire. Read as "a wife", the woman is someone's wife; read as "a woman", it is any woman. The verse does not say which.
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29If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
In plain English: If your right eye causes you to stumble, pull it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna.
The Greek word: "Causes you to stumble" is skandalizo. The dictionary gives "to entrap, i.e. trip up" and, figuratively, "entice to sin". It is in 13 verses of Matthew. The English of those verses has "stumble" in 10 and "offend" in 2.
What changes: Read as "trip up", the eye makes you fall. Read as "entice to sin", it leads you into wrong. The verse says it is better to lose the part than for the whole body to be thrown into Gehenna.
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30If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna.
In plain English: If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. It is better for you that one of your body parts should perish than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna.
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31“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’
In plain English: "It was also said, 'Whoever puts away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce.'
The Greek words: "Put away" is apolyo, explained at , where the dictionary gives "divorce" as one of its uses. "Writing of divorce" is apostasion. The dictionary gives "properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce". Apostasion is in 3 verses of the New Testament: here, and .
Good to know: The saying is close to : "he shall write her a certificate of divorce, put it in her hand, and send her out of his house."
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32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
In plain English: But I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress (literally: causes her to commit adultery). And whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
The Greek word: "Sexual immorality" is porneia. The dictionary gives "harlotry (including adultery and incest); figuratively, idolatry". It is in 25 verses of the New Testament and in 3 of Matthew: here, and . This Bible prints "immorality" in 22 of the 25, and in 2 of the 3 in Matthew.
How it is translated: This Bible has "sexual immorality".
What changes: The word covers a range, from harlotry to adultery and incest. Read narrowly, the exception names one act. Read widely, it names many. The verse does not list which acts it means.
Good to know: A similar exception is in . Churches read these verses in different ways, including what the exception covers and whether a person may marry again. The verse itself says that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress, and that whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
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33“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’
In plain English: "Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, 'You shall not swear falsely, but you shall keep your oaths to the Lord.'
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34but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;
In plain English: But I tell you, do not swear at all: not by heaven, because it is the throne of God;
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35nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.
In plain English: not by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet; not by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.
Good to know: The reasons given are close to : "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool", and to : "Mount Zion ... the city of the great King."
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36Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.
In plain English: Do not swear by your head either, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
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37But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
In plain English: Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes' and your 'No' be 'No.' Whatever is more than these comes from the evil one (or: from evil).
The Greek words: "The evil one" is tou ponerou. The dictionary for poneros gives "hurtful, i.e. evil", and says that in one use it means "the devil". The Greek can be read as "the evil one" or as "evil".
How it is translated: This Bible has "the evil one". The word card on this page shows "evil". In Matthew this Bible's English has "evil one" in 4 of the 23 verses with this word.
What changes: Read as "the evil one", whatever goes beyond a plain Yes or No comes from the devil. Read as "evil", it comes from what is evil. The same two readings are possible in and .
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38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
In plain English: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
Good to know: The words are in the law: , and .
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39But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
In plain English: But I tell you, do not resist an evil person (or: evil). Whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also.
The Greek words: "An evil person" is to ponero, the same word as in . It can be read as "an evil person" or as "evil".
How it is translated: This Bible has "him who is evil".
What changes: Read as "an evil person", the line is about how to answer someone who does you wrong. Read as "evil", it is about evil itself. The verse goes on to speak of someone who strikes you on the cheek.
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40If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
In plain English: If anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, let him have your cloak also.
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41Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
In plain English: Whoever forces you to go one mile, go two with him.
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42Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.
In plain English: Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away the one who wants to borrow from you.
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43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
In plain English: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
Good to know: "You shall love your neighbor" is in : "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." The words "hate your enemy" are not in that verse, and no verse in this Bible's Old Testament has those words. The verse says only that it "was said".
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44But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
In plain English: But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
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45that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
In plain English: so that you may be children (or: sons) of your Father who is in heaven. He makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
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46For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
In plain English: If you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
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47If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?
In plain English: If you greet only your friends, what more do you do than others? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
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48Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
In plain English: So you shall be perfect (or: complete), just as your Father in heaven is perfect (or: complete).
The Greek word: "Perfect" is teleios. The dictionary gives "complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.)". It is in 2 verses of Matthew: here and .
How it is translated: This Bible has "perfect".
What changes: Read as "perfect", the line asks for a flawless life. Read as "complete", it asks for wholeness or full growth. The Greek words for "you shall be" can also be read as a command ("be perfect") or as a statement of what will be ("you will be perfect"). has a similar saying with "merciful": "Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful."
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