The Sermon on the Mount

In this sermon, Jesus taught his followers the and told them several parables. The sermon also contained the and Jesus’ teachings about God’s laws, which he expected his followers to uphold.

The Beatitudes

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains to his followers what kinds of human lives are blessed by God. The statements he made are known as the Beatitudes.

According to Jesus, God gives his blessing to:

the meek – meaning humble people
those who make peace
those who show mercy to others

Jesus also mentioned that people who are because of their faith will be blessed and find reward in Heaven (Matthew 5:3–11).

Jesus’ teachings about God’s law

The Bible relates how some of the people who came to hear Jesus give sermons feared that he was opposed to the teachings in the , which people had been following for a long time. However, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained that he had not come to overturn God’s laws but to make sure they were upheld.

Jesus expanded on the Old Testament teachings, explaining that God had ever higher expectations of how people should behave towards each other:

Old Testament teaching	Jesus’ explanation in the Sermon on the Mount
Do not murder	Do not even be angry with another person or insult them. Try to forgive people and mend broken relationships.
Do not commit adultery	If a married person even looks at another person lustfully, they are guilty of adultery in their heart.
Divorce is allowed	Divorce is still allowed but only on the grounds of ‘sexual immorality’. Anyone who divorces and re-marries is committing adultery with their new partner – they are not really married at all.
Love your neighbour	You must also love your enemies and pray for people who persecute you.

Old Testament teaching	Do not murder
Jesus’ explanation in the Sermon on the Mount	Do not even be angry with another person or insult them. Try to forgive people and mend broken relationships.

Old Testament teaching	Do not commit adultery
Jesus’ explanation in the Sermon on the Mount	If a married person even looks at another person lustfully, they are guilty of adultery in their heart.

Old Testament teaching	Divorce is allowed
Jesus’ explanation in the Sermon on the Mount	Divorce is still allowed but only on the grounds of ‘sexual immorality’. Anyone who divorces and re-marries is committing adultery with their new partner – they are not really married at all.

Old Testament teaching	Love your neighbour
Jesus’ explanation in the Sermon on the Mount	You must also love your enemies and pray for people who persecute you.

However, Jesus did have different ideas from those in the Old Testament when it came to the subject of revenge. He told his followers that their love for one another must be unconditional and that they must never seek revenge, even though the Old Testament allows it: An eye for an eye (Exodus 21:24)

Jesus told his followers: You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also (Matthew 5:38–9)

Some other important teachings

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus summed up almost all of his teachings. Christians find the following important lessons in this sermon:

Possessions on Earth are not important. Meaningful spiritual ‘treasures’ will be found by good people in Heaven.
People should not worry because God will take care of them.
People should not judge each other. It is to do so, and only God can sit in .
God will help people who seek his help.
The way to is difficult to pass through – like a narrow gate – but getting to is easy, like a wide gateway.

Question

What are the Beatitudes?

Nature of Jesus in ChristianityThe Sermon on the Mount