Exegesis of Matthew

Exegesis of the Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 5:3-12

The Eight Beatitudes

In Matthew's Gospel, starting with Chapter five verses three through twelve, Jesus tells us of the Eight Beatitudes. These verses are much like The Ten Commandments in nature, but more philosophical:

* "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

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

* "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the Earth."

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

* "Blessed are those who are merciful, for they shall obtain mercy."

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

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

* "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

The Beatitudes are promises from God. Promises for the Kingdom of Heaven. They are also requirements for the type of people who would receive the promises. They stress the importance of what is on the inside as opposed to what appears on the outside. This exegesis will explore the Historical and Social settings for which the Beatitudes were written, examine the Literary Content of the Beatitudes in the Gospel of Matthew, and will attempt to explain the meaning of the text.

This passage is part of the passage known as the Sermon on the Mount because Jesus gave it on a hill near Capernaum. This sermon, most likely, covered more than one day of preaching. Matthew, Chapter Five, is filled with sermon after sermon, and teaching after teaching where Jesus tells of his attitude toward the law, and explains how social rank and money are not important in his kingdom. People came from miles around to hear him speak. Accompanying him, were his Disciples whom he warned of all the fame and fortune they might receive through traveling with him. Jesus also warned his Disciples of using God's message to promote personal gain. Matthew, along with the other gospels, is a written record of Jesus Christ and his teachings. The beatitudes are just a sample of the many teachings that this book has to offer.

The text itself written by Matthew, one of Jesus' disciples, does coincide with the beatitudes written by another of Jesus' disciples; Luke. Only Luke writes the beatitudes a little differently than Matthew. One example of the differences is in the first beatitude where Matthew writes, "Blessed are the poor in spirit..." where as Luke recorded Jesus as saying only, "Blessed are the poor..." By annexing "in spirit" Luke suggests that only the monetarily poor belong in God's kingdom, where Matthew seems to state that material status or social poverty alone are not the standards for faith.

All throughout the beatitudes there seems to be the theme that it does not matter what is on the outside, but God sees and is only concerned with the inside of his children. Their hearts and their souls. It doesn't appear God cares much for material wealth or success in the world, but more so for what is in mans heart. Luke suggests 'the poor' should be monetarily poor,

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