Matthew 5:1-12 — A Deep Study of Christ's Blessings
makarioi hoi ptōchoi tō pneumati
μακάριος (makarios) — "blessed, happy, fortunate" — describes a state of divine blessing, not mere happiness
πτωχός (ptōchos) — "poor, destitute" — one who crouches and cowers like a beggar; spiritually bankrupt
πνεῦμα (pneuma) — "spirit" — the inner person, the seat of thoughts and feelings
"For theirs is the kingdom of the Heavens"
Note the present tense: "is" not "will be." Those who recognize their spiritual poverty already possess the kingdom! This echoes Isaiah 57:15 and 66:2.
makarioi hoi penthountes
πενθέω (pentheō) — "to mourn, grieve deeply" — the strongest Greek word for mourning, used for grieving the dead
παρακαλέω (parakaleō) — "to comfort, encourage, call alongside" — the root of "Paraclete" (Helper/Comforter)
"For they shall be comforted"
Future passive: God Himself will comfort them. This echoes Isaiah 61:1-3 where the Messiah comes "to comfort all who mourn."
makarioi hoi praeis
πραΰς (praus) — "meek, gentle, humble" — NOT weakness! It describes strength under control, like a powerful horse that is trained and responsive
"For they shall inherit the earth"
A direct quote from Psalm 37:11. While the proud and violent seem to prosper now, the meek will ultimately inherit everything. This finds ultimate fulfillment in the new earth (Rev. 21-22).
hoi peinōntes kai dipsōntes tēn dikaiosynēn
πεινάω (peinaō) — "to hunger" — present participle indicates continuous, ongoing hunger
διψάω (dipsaō) — "to thirst" — intense longing, desperate need
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) — "righteousness" — right standing with God, moral uprightness
χορτάζω (chortazō) — "to fill, satisfy" — originally used for feeding animals until completely full
"For they shall be filled"
God promises complete satisfaction to those who genuinely desire righteousness. Not partially satisfied, but fully fed.
makarioi hoi eleēmones
ἐλεήμων (eleēmōn) — "merciful, compassionate" — actively showing mercy, not just feeling pity
ἐλεέω (eleeō) — "to show mercy" — the same root gives us "eleemosynary" (charitable)
"For they shall obtain mercy"
This is not "merit"—showing mercy doesn't earn God's mercy. Rather, those who have received God's mercy naturally show it to others, and this becomes evidence of their transformed heart.
makarioi hoi katharoi tē kardia
καθαρός (katharos) — "pure, clean, unmixed" — used for metals without alloy, grain without chaff
καρδία (kardia) — "heart" — the center of one's being, thoughts, will, and emotions
"For they shall see God"
The beatific vision—the ultimate goal of human existence! While no one can see God fully now (Ex. 33:20), the pure in heart see Him by faith and will see Him face-to-face in glory (1 John 3:2).
makarioi hoi eirēnopoioi
εἰρηνοποιός (eirēnopoios) — "peacemaker" — a compound word: εἰρήνη (peace) + ποιέω (to make)
εἰρήνη (eirēnē) — "peace" — equivalent to Hebrew "shalom" (wholeness, well-being, right relationship)
"For they shall be called sons of God"
They reflect their Father's character. God is the ultimate peacemaker who reconciled us through Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-19). His children share this ministry.
hoi dediōgmenoi heneken dikaiosynēs
διώκω (diōkō) — "to pursue, persecute" — the perfect participle indicates ongoing results of past persecution
ὀνειδίζω (oneidizō) — "to reproach, insult" — verbal abuse
ἀγαλλιάομαι (agalliao) — "to rejoice greatly, be exceeding glad" — exuberant joy
"For theirs is the kingdom of Heaven... your reward is great in Heaven"
Notice this forms an "inclusio" with v. 3—both the first and eighth beatitudes promise the kingdom. Persecution for Christ's sake confirms our citizenship in His kingdom.
This word appears in every beatitude and is crucial to understanding Jesus' teaching.
| Greek | Transliteration | Meaning | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| μακάριος | makarios | blessed, happy, fortunate | Divine blessing, not mere emotion; describes the state God bestows on His people |
Background: In classical Greek, "makarios" described the blessed state of the gods, removed from earthly troubles. In the Septuagint (Greek OT), it translates Hebrew "אַשְׁרֵי" (ashrey)—the word that opens Psalm 1.
Key insight: Jesus redefines blessedness. The world says "blessed are the rich, powerful, and popular." Jesus says "blessed are the poor, mourning, and persecuted." This is kingdom economics turned upside-down!
| Greek | Transliteration | Meaning | Beatitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| πτωχός | ptōchos | poor, destitute (like a beggar) | #1 - Poor in spirit |
| πενθέω | pentheō | to mourn deeply | #2 - Mourning |
| πραΰς | praus | meek, gentle (strength under control) | #3 - Meek |
| πεινάω / διψάω | peinaō / dipsaō | to hunger / to thirst | #4 - Hunger & thirst |
| ἐλεήμων | eleēmōn | merciful, compassionate | #5 - Merciful |
| καθαρός | katharos | pure, clean, unmixed | #6 - Pure in heart |
| εἰρηνοποιός | eirēnopoios | peacemaker | #7 - Peacemakers |
| διώκω | diōkō | to persecute, pursue | #8 - Persecuted |
| Greek | Transliteration | Meaning | Promise |
|---|---|---|---|
| βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν | basileia tōn ouranōn | kingdom of the heavens | Beatitudes 1 & 8 |
| παρακαλέω | parakaleō | to comfort, encourage | Beatitude 2 |
| κληρονομέω | klēronomeō | to inherit | Beatitude 3 |
| χορτάζω | chortazō | to fill, satisfy completely | Beatitude 4 |
| ἐλεέω | eleeō | to show mercy | Beatitude 5 |
| ὁράω τὸν θεόν | horaō ton theon | to see God | Beatitude 6 |
| υἱοὶ θεοῦ | huioi theou | sons of God | Beatitude 7 |
| μισθός μέγας | misthos megas | great reward | Beatitude 8 |
Righteousness appears in beatitudes 4 and 8, bookending the middle section:
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē) — "righteousness"
In the Beatitudes, Jesus likely has all three senses in mind. We hunger for right standing with God, strive for righteous living, and await the full righteousness of God's coming kingdom.
Setting: Jesus delivers this sermon early in His Galilean ministry, after calling His first disciples. The "mountain" is likely one of the hills near the Sea of Galilee.
Audience: While crowds gathered, Jesus specifically "sat down" (the position of a rabbi teaching authoritatively) and taught "His disciples" (5:1-2). This is kingdom instruction for kingdom citizens.
Structure: The Beatitudes form the preamble to the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus' inaugural address describing life in God's kingdom.
Eight Beatitudes, Two Groups:
Group 1 (vv. 3-6): Focus on our relationship with God
Group 2 (vv. 7-10): Focus on our relationship with others
Literary Device (Inclusio): Beatitudes 1 and 8 both promise "the kingdom of heaven," framing the entire passage.
The Beatitudes invert worldly values. Compare:
| World Says "Blessed Are..." | Jesus Says "Blessed Are..." |
|---|---|
| The self-confident | The poor in spirit |
| The happy and carefree | Those who mourn |
| The powerful and assertive | The meek |
| The well-fed and satisfied | Those who hunger and thirst |
| Those who get justice | Those who show mercy |
| The sophisticated | The pure in heart |
| The victorious warriors | The peacemakers |
| The popular and admired | The persecuted |
Click a beatitude on the left, then click its matching promise on the right.
Type the Greek transliteration for each English word.
1. "Blessed" in Greek is:
2. The word for "poor" (as in beggar, destitute) is:
3. "Meek" (strength under control) is:
4. "Pure" or "clean" is:
5. "Peacemaker" is:
6. "Righteousness" is:
1. The Greek word "makarios" is best translated as:
2. "Meekness" (praus) in Greek is best understood as:
3. Which two beatitudes share the same promise of "the kingdom of heaven"?
4. The promise "they shall see God" is given to:
5. The Greek word "ptochos" describes someone who is:
6. What Old Testament passage does "the meek shall inherit the earth" quote?
Drag and drop (or click) the beatitudes to arrange them in the correct order from Matthew 5.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of the Heavens."
Matthew 5:3 — Beatitude 1 of 8
Use the buttons to navigate through each beatitude. Try reciting it before revealing the text!
Writing helps memory! Type the beatitudes from memory: