Matthew 5: 1-26, The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1 (Kingdom Living)

Early in his ministry, Jesus is followed by crowds and takes several opportunities to speak to them. Matthew collects here, in chapters 5 through 7, the theme of Jesus's ministry, introducing the kingdom of heaven.  It is a radical message.

Matthew 5:1-2, Jesus sits down on a mountainside
Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:

A mountainside might be a rise where Jesus could sit and people sit or lie down below him, where they can more easily listen to him.

Matthew 5:3-12, Blessings

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

This is the beginning of the "Sermon on the Mount". It is strange to modern ears, indeed often strange to modern "Christian" ears, for we have forgotten how much Jesus inverted the social/political power structure, setting out the role of the citizens of the Kingdom of God.

Verses 3 through 12, because of their repetitive use of the word "blessed" (or "happy") are collectively called "The Beatitudes".  This is an interesting way to start a sermon, for it stresses the personal contentment of the individual, in somewhat contradictory terms!

Matthew 5:13-16, Salt and light
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer  good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by  men.

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to  everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

This new kingdom will be attractive; everyone will look at it with pleasure, interest, joy.

Matthew 5:17-20, Fulfilling the Law
"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.  I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

A bit scary here -- this King has some pretty high standards.  The listeners thought those religious pharisees were impressive but they are nothing compared to the Kingdom citizens.  (Jesus will say more about the Pharisees' lack of piety and moral failings due ironically to their insistence on religious deeds.)

Matthew 5:21-26, You have heard it said ... but I say ...
"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, `Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. 

Again, anyone who says to his brother, `Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, `You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand  you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.  I tell you the truth, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

The quote in verse 21 is from the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:13.

With phrases beginning, "You have heard it said ..., but I say," Jesus sets each commandment into a principle of holy living, a principle dealing with one's heart, with one's imagination and fantasies.  If you hate your neighbor and fantasize about their murder, your heart and soul are acting as if you were to commit murder.  Even though there are no external consequences, there are internal ones.

"Raca" was apparently an Aramaic term of contempt (meaning "empty" or "worthless") and was a  strong enough pejorative to put one in trouble with the Sanhedrin!  Presumably "you fool!" is a milder expression, but Jesus warns that it is not as mild as we might believe!

This passage has a heavy emphasis on reconciliation and warns about the human tendency to rationalize our thoughts and comments.  We believe we can hate but not murder; we believe we can say, "You fool" in place of a stronger profanity.  Yet each of these "mild" thoughts and actions provides insight to our heart.  This theme will continue in the second half of chapter 5.

From the NIV Footnotes:  In verse 22 some manuscripts add "without cause" to the statement about "angry with his brother".  (Certainly this seems implied by the context.)