Lesson 1 of 5
The Beatitudes
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Study objective: Study the blessings that open the sermon and the kind of people Jesus calls blessed.
Reading: Matthew 5:1–12
Matthew 5:1–12 WEB
1Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. 2He opened his mouth and taught them, saying, 3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Background and context
Jesus sits down to teach, as teachers did, with his disciples near and the crowds listening (5:1; 7:28). The sermon opens with nine sayings beginning “Blessed are”. They describe people the world might overlook: the poor in spirit, mourners, the meek, the hungry for righteousness.
Observe
- Each blessing names a group and a promise.
- The first and eighth blessings both promise the Kingdom of Heaven (5:3, 5:10).
- The final blessing changes to “you” (5:11).
- Persecution is expected, not surprising (5:10-12).
Words, people and events to notice
- Blessed
- Favoured by God; in a good place before him, whatever the circumstances look like.
- Kingdom of Heaven
- Matthew’s usual phrase for the Kingdom of God. Matthew 5:3Mark 4:30–31
Understand
- Which groups does Jesus call blessed, and why might that surprise his hearers?
- What links the first and the eighth blessings?
- How do these blessings describe Jesus himself?
Connect
- Luke 6:20–26
Luke’s blessings and woes.
- Isaiah 61:1–3
Good news for the poor and comfort for those who mourn.
Reflect
- Which blessing do you most need to hear?
- Which describes something you lack?
Key takeaways
Editorial summary, not Scripture.
- Jesus’ kingdom reverses ordinary ideas of who is blessed.
- The blessings describe a character to grow into, not a ladder to climb.
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