What is Matthew 5 about?
Matthew 5 begins Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, his longest recorded teaching. It opens with the Beatitudes, eight blessings such as "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" and "Blessed are the peacemakers." Jesus calls his followers the salt of the earth and "the light of the world" (verse 14). He says he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it, and then goes deeper than the outward rules: anger is like murder in the heart, and lust like adultery. The chapter ends with one of his most challenging teachings: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you... and pray for them" (verse 44).
What does Matthew 5 mean?
Matthew 5:16
This verse concludes Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount that his followers are "the light of the world." A lamp is not lit to be hidden under a basket, but placed where it lights up the whole house. So Christians should live in such a way that others can see their good works. The purpose is crucial: not so that people will praise us, but so that they will "glorify your Father which is in heaven." Later in the same sermon, Jesus warns against doing good deeds to be seen. The difference is the motive: shining for God's glory rather than our own.
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Tap Listen on the first screen to hear Matthew 5 read aloud, then keep listening into the next chapter. About the audio Bible