Exposition of the Sermon on the Mount
The Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, is a foundational teaching of Jesus Christ that has been interpreted and expounded upon by various Christian traditions throughout history. According to Matthew Henry, this sermon is "the longest and fullest continued discourse of our Saviour that we have upon record in all the gospels" and is "wholly taken up with the agenda - the things to be done" [2].
The sermon begins with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings pronounced upon those who embody certain characteristics, such as poverty in spirit and meekness (Matthew 5:3-12). Augustine interprets the "mountain" where Jesus delivered the sermon as symbolizing "the greater precepts of righteousness" [4]. The sermon continues with teachings on various topics, including the relationship between Jesus' message and the law (Matthew 5:17-48), the proper way to practice piety (Matthew 6:1-18), and the importance of seeking God's kingdom above all else (Matthew 6:33) [3].
The sermon concludes with a series of warnings and exhortations, including a caution against false prophets (Matthew 7:15-20) and an emphasis on the need for obedience to Jesus' teachings (Matthew 7:21-27). Matthew Henry notes that the sermon is "purely practical, directing us to order our conversation aright, both toward God and man" [8].
Different traditions have interpreted the Sermon on the Mount in various ways. Tertullian, for example, sees the sermon as evidence that Jesus is the Creator's Christ, citing parallels between Jesus' teachings and the Creator's "dispensational words and deeds" [5]. Augustine, on the other hand, provides a detailed exposition of the sermon, exploring its theological and practical implications [6, 7].
The historical context of the sermon is also significant. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, Jesus delivered the sermon after spending a night in prayer and selecting his twelve apostles [1]. This context highlights the importance of the sermon as a key moment in Jesus' ministry.
The Sermon on the Mount remains a rich and complex text that continues to be studied and interpreted by Christians today. Its teachings on topics such as prayer, piety, and obedience remain relevant, and its emphasis on the importance of seeking God's kingdom continues to shape Christian practice and theology [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sermon on the mount — After spending a night in solemn meditation and prayer in the lonely mountain-range to the west of the Lake of Galilee (Luke 6:12), on the following morning our Lord called to him his disciples, and from among them chose twelve, who were to be henceforth trained to be his apostles (Mark 3:14, 15). After this solemn consecration of the twelve, he descended from the mountain-peak to a more level spot (Luke 6:17), and there he sat down and delivered the "sermon on the mount" (Matt. 5-7; Luke 6:20-49) to the assembled multitude. The mountain here sp”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 5 (introduction): This chapter, and the two that follow it, are a sermon; a famous sermon; the sermon upon the mount. It is the longest and fullest continued discourse of our Saviour that we have upon record in all the gospels. It is a practical discourse; there is not much of the credenda of Christianity in it - the things to be believed, but it is wholly taken up with the agenda - the things to be done; these Christ began with in his preaching; for if any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God. The circumstances of the sermon being ”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you--This is the great summing up. Strictly speaking, it has to do only with the subject of the present section--the right state of the heart with reference to heavenly trod earthly things; but being couched in the form of a brief general directory, it is so comprehensive in its grasp as to embrace the whole subject of this discourse. And, as if to make this the more evident, the two keynotes of this great sermon seem purposely struck in it--"the KING”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. I.--1. If any one will piously and soberly consider the sermon which our Lord Jesus Christ spoke on the mount, as we read it in the Gospel according to Matthew, I think that he will find in it, (part 1): 4 2. The beginning, then, of this sermon is introduced as follows: "And when He saw the great(1) multitudes, He went up into a mountain:(2) and when He was set, His disciples came unto Him: and He opened His mouth, and taught them, saying." If it is asked what the "mountain" means, it may well be understood as meaning the greater precep”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 3: Tertullian — CHAP. XIV.--CHRIST'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT. IN MANNER AND CONTENTS IT SO RESEMBLES THE CREATOR'S DISPENSATIONAL WORDS AND DEEDS. IT SUGGESTS THEREFORE THE CONCLUSION THAT JESUS IS THE CREATOR'S CHRIST. (part 3): has never given proof of his liberality by any preceding bestowal of minor blessings. "Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled."(14) I might connect this clause with the former one, because none but the poor and needy suffer hunger, if the Creator had not specially designed that the promise of a similar blessing should serve as a preparation for th”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — EXPLANATION OF THE FIRST PART OF THE SERMON DELIVERED BY OUR LORD ON: THE MOUNT, AS CONTAINED IN THE FIFTH CHAPTER OF MATTHEW.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. XIX.--OF THE LENGTHENED SERMON WHICH, ACCORDING TO MATTHEW, HE DELIVERED ON THE MOUNT. (part 2): they came up to their recollection. This same Luke, however, has also left us a version of his own of that copious discourse of the Lord, in a passage which he commences just as the section in Matthew begins. For in the latter the words run thus: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;"(6) while in the former they are put thus: "Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."(7) Then, too, much of what foll”
- Matthew (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Matthew 7 (introduction): This chapter continues and concludes Christ's sermon on the mount, which is purely practical, directing us to order our conversation aright, both toward God and man; for the design of the Christian religion is to make men good, every way good. We have, I. Some rules concerning censure and reproof (Mat 7:1-6). II. Encouragements given us to pray to God for what we need (Mat 7:7-11). III. The necessity of strictness in conversation urged upon us (Mat 7:12-14). IV. A caution given us to take heed of false prophets (Mat 7:15-20). V. The conclusion of the ”