Matt 5:1-12
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Questions
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Lexical notes
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Exegesis
Verse 1
In Matthew’s Gospel, mountains are places where important things happen. (See Matt 4:8; Matt 17:1; and Matt 28:16.) As he tells the story, Jesus seems deliberately to give the Sermon on the Mount in a way that compares him to Moses: he goes up on a mountain and delivers a “new” law for a multitude who are gathered at the base of the mountain waiting for his return. In Matt 4:23, Matthew tells us "Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom." Matthew 5-7 is the gospel that he preached.
Verses 1-3
Joseph Smith's inspired emendation of Matthew 5:1 adds an interesting prologue to the Sermon:
| KJV | JST |
| [1] And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: [2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, | [1] And Jesus, seeing the multitudes, went up into a mountain; and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him; [2] And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, |
| [3] Blessed are they who shall believe on me; and again, more blessed are they who shall believe on your words, when ye shall testify that ye have seen me and that I am. [4] Yea, blessed are they who shall believe on your words, and come down into the depth of humility, and be baptized in my name; for they shall be visited with fire, and the Holy Ghost, and shall receive a remission of their sins. | |
| [3] Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. | [5] Yea blessed are the poor in spirit, who come unto me; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. |
Joseph Smith's addition makes it clear that the Sermon on the Mount is an exposition of the gospel. It also changes the way we can understand verse three: it becomes a summary of the gospel. Rather than the first in the list of beatitudes, it is the summary of the gospel, followed by the beatitudes.
Seeing the Sermon this way creates a chiasm, with mercy at its center:
A They that <em>mourn</em> shall be <em>comforted</em> (verse 4)
B The meek shall <em>inherit</em> the earth (verse 5)
C Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be <em>filled [with the Holy
Ghost]</em> (verse 6; compare 3 Nephi 12:6)
D The merciful will obtain <em>mercy</em> (verse 7)
C' The pure in heart will <em>see God</em> (verse 8 )
B' Peacemakers will be the <em>children of God</em>? (verse 9)
A' Those who are <em>persecuted</em> for righteousness will <em>receive a great reward, the
kingdom of heaven</em> (verses 10-12)
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