A Few Notes on The Sermon on the Mount
This was a portion of our Sunday class discussion today, August 9. Download the notes (PDF) here.
Beatitudes
The Beatitudes have eight blessings with promises. The first and last blessings are already received by kingdom people. The other six blessings await a future day when the kingdom of God is fully consummated. However, though there is a definite day of consummation at the return of Christ, all of these “blessings” are already being enjoyed by believers in this age (“already but not yet”).
| Verse | Blessing | Promise | Present/Future? | OT Reference |
| 3 | Blessed are the poor in spirit | for theirs is the kingdom of heaven | Present | Isa 61:1 |
| 4 | Blessed are those who mourn | for they shall be comforted | Future | Isa 61:2, 3 |
| 5 | Blessed are the meek | for they shall inherit the earth | Future | Psa 37:11 |
| 6 | Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness | for they shall be satisfied | Future | Psa 42:2; Isa 55:1, 2 |
| 7 | Blessed are the merciful | for they shall receive mercy | Future | Deut 15:7-10 |
| 8 | Blessed are the pure in heart | for they shall see God | Future | Psa 24:4 |
| 9 | Blessed are the peacemakers | for they shall be called sons of God | Future | Isa 52:7; Psa 34:14 |
| 10 | Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake | for theirs is the kingdom of heaven | Present | 1 Kgs 19:10 |
5:17: Christ came to fulfill the law
Jesus introduces his sermon with this declaration: He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (whole OT). Read Luke 24: 27, 44; Rom 3:31. Where Adam failed, Jesus triumphed (Rom 5:17-19).
5:21-48: “You have heard that it was said… But I say to you”
verses 21, 27, 33, 38, 43. Jesus corrects the faulty interpretations of the OT that were common during his time.
These are not true:
a. The OT is wrong or insufficient.
b. Jesus is making the law more strict.
c. The OT is all about external acts, while the NT is all about the heart (Deut 30:6; Psa 103:1; Joel 2:13).
| Verse | Jesus’ Teaching | OT Teaching |
| 21 | anger and hate = murder | Prv 6:12-15 (those who hate will be judged) |
| 27 | Lust = adultery in the heart | Job 31:1; Prv 6:25 (lusting after other women is sinful) |
| 31 | no divorce, except for adultery | Deut 24:1; Jer 3:8 (God “divorced” Israel for “adultery”) |
| 33 | fulfilling oaths | Num 30:2 (all who make vows are bound to fulfill them) |
| 38 | no retaliation | Deut 19:20-21 (this is civil, not personal law) |
| 43 | loving your enemies | Lev 19:18: Exo 23:4-5 (even enemies are to be respected) |
