Beatitude — Meaning in the Bible

A blessing saying that begins "Blessed are...". The best known are Jesus' Beatitudes at the start of the Sermon on the Mount.

Scripture in WEBWorld English Bible — Protestant Edition

What it means

Jesus began the Sermon on the Mount with blessings on the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the merciful, the peacemakers and others. Matthew 5:1–12

Luke records a similar sermon with blessings and woes. The psalms also use the form: "Blessed is the man who doesn't walk in the counsel of the wicked". Luke 6:20–26 Psalm 1:1

Key passages

Psalm 1:1–3 — Blessed is the man.
Matthew 5:1–12 — The Beatitudes.
Luke 6:20–26 — Blessings and woes.
Revelation 1:3 — Blessed is the one who reads.

For children

The Beatitudes are Jesus' "blessed are" sayings, like "Blessed are the peacemakers". Matthew 5:9

Study further

Matthew 5:1–12 Read them slowly.
Luke 6:20–26 Compare Luke.