Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount begins — the Beatitudes — salt and light — a new law from a new mountain.
The chapter
Matthew 5 opens the Sermon on the Mount — the great teaching discourse of Christ, given on a hillside above the Sea of Galilee. The chapter contains the Beatitudes (vv. 3-12), the sayings on salt and light (vv. 13-16), the fulfilment of the Law (vv. 17-20), and the six 'ye have heard… but I say unto you' antitheses.
Who wrote it
The Gospel of Matthew was written by the apostle Matthew (Levi), the tax-collector called from a booth in Capernaum (Matthew 9:9). Tradition places its composition in the AD 60s, possibly in Antioch.
Historical and geographical context
Set c. AD 28, early in Christ's Galilean ministry, on 'a mountain' overlooking the Sea of Galilee — traditionally the Mount of Beatitudes near Capernaum. Christ 'sat down,' after the rabbinic custom of a teacher, and 'opened his mouth, and taught them.'
Important verses (the Beatitudes)
- Matthew 5:3 (KJV) 'Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'
- Matthew 5:4 (KJV) 'Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.'
- Matthew 5:5 (KJV) 'Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.'
- Matthew 5:6 (KJV) 'Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.'
- Matthew 5:7 (KJV) 'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.'
- Matthew 5:8 (KJV) 'Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.'
- Matthew 5:9 (KJV) 'Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.'
- Matthew 5:10 (KJV) 'Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'
- Matthew 5:14 (KJV) 'Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.'
- Matthew 5:17 (KJV) 'Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.'
- Matthew 5:44 (KJV) 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.'
Christ-centred reading
Matthew 5 is Christ giving the law from a new mountain — as Moses gave the law from Sinai. The Beatitudes are the Church's charter of blessedness — the shape of a Christian life. The six 'but I say unto you' antitheses show that Christ is not abolishing the Ten Commandments but drawing them into the heart.
In Christian tradition
- The Beatitudes are read at Christian funerals and All Saints' Day (1 November).
- Meditated on daily in monastic communities since the Fathers.
- The 'salt and light' sayings are recited at Christian baptism in many rites.
- Augustine's Sermon on the Mount (fifth century) is the earliest full commentary on Matthew 5-7.
Connected People
- Christ Jesus — the preacher.
- Moses — whose Sinai discourse is echoed here.
Connected Places
- Sea of Galilee — the sea below the mountain.
- Capernaum — the nearest town, Christ's base.
Household application
Teach the Beatitudes to the children by heart. There is no better summary of Christian character.
Read Matthew 5 alongside Matthew 6 as the two-chapter household charter: chapter five for character, chapter six for practice.
Room connections
Where this entry meets the household in the wider house of CrossAIHub.
- Read (Library) — Read Matthew 5-7 aloud slowly over a week.
- Pray (Chapel) — Pray one Beatitude a day for eight days.
- Family (Kitchen Table) — Post the eight Beatitudes near the family table.
- Sing (Choir Room) — Sing 'Blest Are the Pure in Heart' (John Keble, 1819).
- Learn (Workshop) — Study Augustine, Our Lord's Sermon on the Mount (fifth century).
Further reading
Matthew 5-7 in the KJV.
Augustine, De Sermone Domini in Monte (early fifth century).
John Chrysostom, Homilies on Matthew (late fourth century).
Elsewhere in the Atlas
Continue Your Journey
Where else this page opens into the household library.