21 “You have heard that it was said to the men of old, ‘You shall not kill; and whoever kills shall be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that every one who is angry with his brother shall be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother shall be liable to … Amplified® What Does Matthew 6:12 Mean? emphasizes their certainty and not merely their futurity. Matthew 5:13 is the thirteenth verse of the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. Question: "What does it mean that believers are to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16)?" Albright and Mann notes that the idea of rewards and punishments has "undeniable prominence" in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 5:21-26. We are to face persecution remembering "that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18). A.F.V Jesus Christ is called the Prince of Peace because He alone is able to restore every broken relationship, provide a well-ordered and balanced life, and offer assurance of eternal life. It is the opposite of arrogance. Answer: Jesus predicted that the love of many would grow cold as part of His answer to the disciples’ question, “What will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” In Matthew 24, in the Olivet Discourse, Jesus describes the end of the age that will precede His second coming. We need to understand this word because, as some have rightly noted, the Greek word used by Matthew, makarios, can also be translated as "happy." 3 And in the morning: To day there will be a storm, for the sky is red and lowering. They are Christ's specifications of what every disciple ought to be. A Christian's life should be his best argument that he does not deserve what is happening to him. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you … Just because God is the Father of all, because He is the Father of Creation, does not mean that everyone will go to heaven. Matthew places the Sermon at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, emphasizing that Jesus is the authoritative teacher of God’s people. Schweizer feels that it actually has just the opposite meaning and is instead showing that the promises in Jeremiah 31:34 and Isaiah 54:13 that all would someday be equal to the prophets had come to pass. What does it mean that the meek will “inherit the earth”? It is the new, born-again life of Christ that we received when we were born from above, that carries out any good works that we do, so that others may see our good works and glorify our Father Who is in heaven. Our love for Christ should be so great that we rejoice that it has come upon us on His account. We must live with and adjust to the fact that persecution is simply the clash between two irreconcilable value systems. We must not be deceived into thinking Jesus intended the Beatitudes for eight separate groups of disciples, some of whom are meek, while others seek righteousness, and yet others endure persecution. 22:3-4). NASB E-Prime Each beatitude pronounces the person who possesses that quality as "blessed." As Luther well observes: “With those words He concludes the … It is like you ask the question what does Mkemke mean when he said, "Matthew 5:17-19. what did Jesus mean? We receive some of the blessing now but much more later. In spite of all, joy, exultation is possible—nay, inevitable. Then God becomes a redemptive Father. Be very glad! It is a passage that relates to the kingdom of God, which Christ came to set up, as promised in Old Testament Scriptures. Young's Although this beautiful verse is relevant to us, in the Church age - in its biblical context, this teaching was given to Israel. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This joy is inseparable from the heroic temper. In the recent past the Japanese persecuted the Koreans, the Chinese, and the Nepalese. We hope that we suffer for our sins only rarely, but when we do, we are getting what we deserve. It is about what it means to be a light of the world and how to be a light to other people. A.S.V. This verse is generally seen as part of an expansion of the eight Beatitude, others see it as the second half of the ninth Beatitude, a small group feel it is the tenth Beatitude and thus brings to a close a second Decalogue. In line with these other paradoxes, this last Beatitude also states a paradox: All we receive for well-doing is to earn the antipathy of our fellow men. (The Gospel According to St. Matthew, p. 61). Ask students to report what they find. Persecution's pressures are humbling. In some it leads to open anger, even rage. Such people are just reaping what they have sown. Satan works in and through people just as God does, and he incites them to do all in their power to vilify, destroy the reputation of, put fear in, or discourage God's children to cause their disqualification. He has a deep and abiding sense of satisfaction, yet groans daily and sincerely. Matthew 5:11. Matthew 2:1-12 - What Does This Mean? These are eight distinct qualities of the same group, all of whom are to be poor in spirit, merciful, mourning, making peace, etc. "The Sermon on the Mount". In Africa, the Moslem Sudanese are persecuting nominal Christians, while in Europe, the Slavic Eastern Orthodox are persecuting Moslem Kosovars. This daily newsletter provides a starting point for personal study, and gives valuable insight into the verses that make up the Word of God. Matthew 5:16. Matthew 12:5. his reference to the priests naturally leads on to the second instance taken from their systematic breach of the technical Sabbath law in the discharge of sacerdotal duty.— ἢ οὐκ ἀνέγνωτε, have ye not read? But we come to learn from life's experiences following conversion that, however hard we try to live peacefully or to make peace through reconciliation, some refuse to live at peace with us. Indeed, as this beatitude shows, some take the initiative to oppose, revile, and slander us. Matthew 6:13 Or from evil ; some late manuscripts one, / for yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Darby Jesus breaks into the public arena proclaiming, “repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 4:17). Jesus is the guest of honor at a festive meal at Matthew’s home and he shares food with tax collectors and “sinners.” The Pharisees question his choice of table partners (Matt 9:10-11) and John the Baptist’s disciples question him on the practice of fasting (Matt 9:14). John W. Ritenbaugh Jesus says in Matthew 5:11, "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake." Matthew places the Sermon at the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, emphasizing that Jesus is the authoritative teacher of God’s people. Just as surely as all eight of the qualities should be part of each Christian, so each should share in the eight blessings. [2] Albright and Mann note that heaven is not here referring to the modern idea of a place that one goes after death which only developed later, rather it refers simply to "being with God. Matthew 5:8 "Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God." For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by which we cry out, "Abba, Father." Paul writes in Romans 8:14-17: For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. Though the world exalts those filled with pride, self-esteem, and assertiveness, God exalts the humble and meek. K.J.V. The righteousness needed to resist these pressures and respond in a godly manner goes far beyond that of a merely moral person. Rejoice and be exceeding glad. At any given time, persecutions of one form or another are taking place. The master gave them money according to their ability (Matt. The word used for "blessed" can sometimes mean "happy." The world displays its approval for war-makers by giving them ticker-tape parades, putting them into high office, and remembering their achievements by naming streets, cities, parks, and schools after them—yet God blesses peacemakers. And in reality, it is a disguised blessing, designed to complete our preparation for God's Kingdom. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6).154 We begin our study of this great beatitude with a quote from Martyn Lloyd-Jones: This Beatitude again follows logically from the previous ones; it is a statement to which all the others lead. Those who obey Christ become children of God (Galatians 3:27; Hebrews 5:9), and “joint-heirs” with the Lord (Romans 8:17). 2 But he answered and said to them: When it is evening, you say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red. I not only exhort you to it, but I tell you, you cannot help being in this mood, if once you throw yourselves enthusiastically into the warfare of God. The good work that we do is the new-life of Christ within us, that is working through us. What does Matthew 5:10 mean? As R.G.V. Happiness is subjective; the same things do not always make everybody happy. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matthew_5:12&oldid=987681964, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 November 2020, at 16:24. However, this description does not mention the relationship to God that really brings the persecution. It is the logical conclusion to which they come, and it is something for which we should all be profoundly thankful and grateful to God. God's commands thus describe how to live correctly. The human heart is so deceitful that Jesus remarks in John 16:2, "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.". What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. When Stephen was put on trial, his accusers "saw his face as the face of an angel" (Acts 6:15)! Because of the honour put upon them, the glory they bring to Christ and his cause, by cheerfully suffering for it; and because of the glory and happiness that shall follow upon their sufferings: for great is your reward in heaven; not of … He is intimately acquainted with Him and His purpose rather than merely believing academically that He exists. Persecution can also keep us from certain sins because it makes us more vividly aware of the impossibility of friendship with the world. It may seem strange that Jesus passes so quickly from peacemaking in the previous beatitude to persecution—from the work of reconciliation to the experience of hostility. The other beatitudes show that a Christian can be filled with a joy that he cannot fully express, yet lament over things that the carnal consider as insignificant. What does Matthew 5:11-12 mean? John Donne, author of the poem used in the song, "No Man Is an Island," says of the Sermon on the Mount: "All the articles of our religion, all the canons of our church, all the injunctions of our princes, all the homilies of our fathers, all the body of divinity, is in these three chapters, in this one Sermon on the Mount." Suffering for righteousness' sake is an honor leading to glory. (NASB: Lockman) Greek: chairete kai agalliasthe, hoti o misthos humon polus en tois ouranois; houtos gar ediochan (3PAAI) tous prophetas tous pro humon. Does anything illustrate the perversity of human nature clearer than this? Also of note is that it follows His call for repentance - for deep, heartfelt, sincere, and radical change in a person's thinking and way of life. Often, a rival religious group or civil authority—just as ignorant of God's truth—are the persecutors. True Christianity is not a popular way of life today, and it was no different during the first century. This blog examines the words of Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:14-16. just as it would be a self-corruptible idea to use quotes made or said by others to explain what Mkemke meant. The Beatitudes, Part Two: Poor in Spirit. Each slave took the master’s possession and invested it. Matthew 5:12. Nonetheless, Satan knows, and this person's living faith will attract Satan's persecution, the Devil's attempts to derail him from making it. Jesus' phrase in the beatitude, "for righteousness' sake," calls upon us to examine ourselves honestly before God both before and after we are opposed. This beatitude presents us with yet another paradox. Such people are just reaping what they have sown. Far from it! Matthew 5:12-16 The Message (MSG) 11-12 “Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. All of these qualities should characterize each of His followers. Satan not only hates God, but he also hates all who bear His holy image in them by means of His Spirit. Introduction181 Matthew 5:33-37, the passage we are considering, is about oaths and vows. I am so happy that this Scripture does not say pure in deeds. Amen. Matthew 5:11. See what over 145,000 subscribers are already receiving each day. . This verse is generally seen as part of an expansion of the eight Beatitude, others see it as the second half of the ninth Beatitude, a small group feel it is the tenth Beatitude and thus brings to a close a second Decalogue. Matthew 5:1-12 Exegesis :1-2 – Setting up the Beatitudes (Beatitude came from the Latin word for blessed which is beatus) (Wiersbe, Mt. How true are His words, "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. … The source of true persecution is Satan, and his target is God. Just as the wise men saw nothing but a toddler, so we see nothing but bread and wine, but like them we fall down in worship because our faith is not based on what we see but what God said. Because God thinks well of them, they are "blessed." These are not normally things that one does publicly; his neighbors may never know much of this person's life. ", it is a self-corruptible idea to honestly use what others in the bible to explain what Jesus said. It may also put us into the company of many martyrs exalted in God's Word. . Attempts to classify them into groups have met with some success, but John Chrysostom (AD 347-407) described them simply, "as a sort of golden chain." When it comes upon us, we should not retaliate like the world, sulk like a child, lick our wounds like a dog in self-pity, or simply grin and bear it like a masochistic Stoic. Some people become victims of their own character flaws and personality disorders. We should realize we do not earn the reward because we are doing only what we are supposed to do (Luke 17:7-10). Answer: Jesus used the concepts of salt and light a number of different times to refer to the role of His followers in the world. They will receive persecution because they are living correctly—not because they have irritated or infuriated others through their sins or because they belong to another political party, religion, or ethnic group. A person's devotion to principle can be measured by his willingness to suffer for it. I am so happy that this Scripture does not say pure in deeds. [⇑ See verse text ⇑] Jesus' list of people who are "blessed," which we know as the Beatitudes, continues to grow. And we can certainly rule out mourning as a producer of happiness. In the history of man, this familiar beat of persecution continues endlessly with nary a connection to righteousness. Matthew 6:10 "Thy kingdom come. The Lord will judge our hearts on judgment day. 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