Part 1135

4:24. And his fame went throughout all Syria, and they presented to him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and such as were possessed by devils, and lunatics, and those that had the palsy, and he cured them:

4:25. And much people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.

Matthew Chapter 5

Christ’s sermon upon the mount. The eight beatitudes.

5:1. And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set down, his disciples came unto him.

5:2. And opening his mouth he taught them, saying:

5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

The poor in spirit.... That is, the humble; and they whose spirit is not set upon riches.

5:4. Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.

5:5. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

5:6. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill.

5:7. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

5:8. Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.

5:9. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

5:10. Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

5:11. Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake:

5:12. Be glad and rejoice for your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets that were before you.

5:13. You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt lose its savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing anymore but to be cast out, and to be trodden on by men.

5:14. You are the light of the world. A city seated on a mountain cannot be hid.

5:15. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.

5:16. So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

5:17. Do not think that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets. I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

To fulfil.... By accomplishing all the figures and prophecies; and perfecting all that was imperfect.

5:18. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.

Amen.... That is, assuredly of a truth.... This Hebrew word, amen, is here retained by the example and authority of all the four Evangelists. It is used by our Lord as a strong asseveration, and affirmation of the truth.

5:19. He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

5:20. For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The scribes and Pharisees.... The scribes were the doctors of the law of Moses: the Pharisees were a precise set of men, making profession of a more exact observance of the law: and upon that account greatly esteemed among the people.