The Sermon on the Mount — Matthew 5–7
A comprehensive study of Jesus' foundational teaching on the Kingdom of God — the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and the ethics of the Kingdom.
Introduction
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) is the longest single block of teaching from Jesus in the Gospels. Delivered on a hillside in Galilee, it lays out the character, values, and conduct of those who belong to the Kingdom of God.
Structure of the Sermon
| Section | Content |
|---|---|
| Matthew 5:3–12 | The Beatitudes |
| Matthew 5:13–16 | Salt and Light |
| Matthew 5:17–48 | The Law Fulfilled |
| Matthew 6:1–18 | Religious Practice |
| Matthew 6:19–34 | Treasure and Anxiety |
| Matthew 7:1–29 | Judgment, Prayer, and Two Paths |
The Beatitudes — Matthew 5:3–12
The Beatitudes are not a ladder of moral achievement. They describe the surprising people whom God blesses and welcomes into his Kingdom.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:3)
What “Blessed” Means
The Greek word makarios can be translated “blessed” or “happy” — but it means more than a feeling. It describes the objective condition of those who are favored by God and flourishing in his Kingdom.
The Reversals of the Kingdom
Jesus blesses those the world overlooks or considers failures:
- The poor in spirit — those who know their spiritual bankruptcy before God
- Those who mourn — those who grieve over sin and brokenness
- The meek — those who are gentle and non-coercive
- Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness — those with an intense desire for God’s justice
- The merciful — those who extend the mercy they’ve received
- The pure in heart — those with undivided devotion to God
- The peacemakers — those who work to reconcile broken relationships
- The persecuted — those who suffer for the sake of righteousness
These are not eight different types of people — they describe one person from eight different angles.
The Law Fulfilled — Matthew 5:17–48
Jesus does not abolish the Old Testament law. He fulfills it by revealing its deepest intent.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (5:17)
The “antitheses” (“You have heard… but I tell you…”) go deeper:
| Old Standard | Kingdom Standard |
|---|---|
| Do not murder | Do not be angry |
| Do not commit adultery | Do not lust |
| Divorce by certificate | Marriage is for life |
| Do not break your oath | Let your yes be yes |
| Eye for eye | Turn the other cheek |
| Love your neighbor | Love your enemy |
Jesus is not contrasting himself with Moses. He is contrasting the letter of the law with its spirit and purpose.
The Lord’s Prayer — Matthew 6:9–13
The Lord’s Prayer is both a model for prayer and a summary of Kingdom priorities:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (6:9–10)
Breaking It Down
- “Our Father in heaven” — Prayer begins with relationship, not requests
- “Hallowed be your name” — The first priority is God’s glory, not our needs
- “Your kingdom come” — We pray for God’s rule to expand in the world and in us
- “Your will be done on earth as in heaven” — A surrender to God’s purposes
- “Give us today our daily bread” — Dependence for material needs
- “Forgive us… as we forgive” — Forgiveness is received and extended
- “Lead us not into temptation” — Protection and deliverance from evil
Do Not Worry — Matthew 6:25–34
One of the most beloved sections of the Sermon addresses anxiety:
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life… But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (6:25, 33)
Jesus does not tell us not to care — he tells us where our security lies. The antidote to anxiety is not positive thinking but a reoriented trust in a Father who knows our needs.
The Two Foundations — Matthew 7:24–27
The Sermon ends with a stark choice: build your life on Jesus’ words or build on something else.
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (7:24)
The Sermon is not merely admirable teaching — it is a summons to the obedience of the Kingdom.
Discussion Questions
- Which Beatitude is most challenging for you personally? Why?
- How does Jesus’ teaching on the “spirit of the law” challenge the way you think about obedience?
- What would change in your prayer life if you prayed the Lord’s Prayer with full intentionality?
- What are you building your life on? How would you know?
Memory Verse
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” — Matthew 6:33