Gospel of Matthew

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

CHAPTERS 5-7

The Teachings on the Mountain

Matthew uses the next three chapters to focus on the teachings of Jesus which occurred while on the mountain. This passage has often been referred to as the Sermon on the Mount.

CHAPTER 5

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 1-2

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:17-19

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:  And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Jesus always picked geological spots that were an advantage to public speaking. Natural “microphones”.  There were no sound systems or bullhorns.

He is going up on the mountain. At the start of chapter 8, Mathew will state that Jesus is coming down the mountain.  Chapters 5-7 are all taking place during the same visit “up the mountain”.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 3-12

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:20-26

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Often referred to as the Beatitudes. He will briefly mention things here as “blessings” and then expound on them in dialogs later.

There is an article on the Bibles Word Final Blog, expounding on this passage entitled “Be-ATTITUDES”.

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Bibles Word Final Blog    https://bibleswordfinal.blogspot.com

Article on the Beattitudes called “Be-ATTITUDES”:

https://bibleswordfinal.blogspot.com/2020/07/be-attitudes.html

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Matthew Chapter 5 verses 13

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Salt is good as long as it has flavoring. Salt with chemicals like iodine have a shelf life.  Natural Salt lasts forever. We are the Salt of the Earth.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 14-16

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Even in the darkest of locations, a light in the distance will pierce that darkness.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 17

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

From the very start of his ministry; he is proclaiming to them that he is here to fulfill what was written in the law and the prophets. By the time his ministry would end, they should have had enough evidence to brand him a liar for what he states here in verse 17.  If he does not do it!  He would ultimately fulfill EVERY prophecy and abolish laws no longer needed by his blood sacrifice.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Until the point in time when heaven and earth are gone. When will that occur?  Until that point in time, not “one jot or one tittle” shall pass from the law. We are unfamiliar with this “language” so we tend to ignore it, instead of researching it.

A “jot” was the smallest letter and a “tittle” was the smallest item placed on Hebrew letters. This is similar to the phrase used about something not happening: “not until every “T” is crossed and every “i” is dotted”.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 19-20

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Breaking the laws and then teaching another to do likewise is wrong.  Jesus set a standard that laws are to be obeyed. Yet the Pharisee will continue accusing him of breaking laws.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 21-26

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:27-36

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

The act of killing was already considered a criminal act. Jesus now takes it a step further and says that even the act of “Anger” is criminal.  Holding ill feelings to a brother; needs correction PRIOR to going before God in worship.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 27-30

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:27-36

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Remove whatever it is that continues to allow us to easily stumble.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 31-32

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:27-36

It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Dealing with Marriage.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 33-37

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:27-36

Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Oath making being wrong.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 38-42

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:27-36

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Revenge and Retaliation are wrong.  Take the opportunity of going the extra mile for someone else.

Matthew Chapter 5 verses 43-48

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:27-36

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Love enemies and those that hate you.

CHAPTER 6

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 1-4

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

Once again Jesus further expounds on the groundwork he laid down in the Beatitudes when he now talks about “alms giving”. Giving of Alms: giving to those that are in need.  “charity for the pity” – THIS IS NOT TITHING

Doing it for “show or to obtain respect or position” does not obtain an individual any “status” before God.

It is common practice today for organizations to “compete” with one another to see who is the greatest “donor to a charity/cause”. This competition in providing “charity for credit” should feel nauseous to the child of God.

It is wonderful that the charity is taking place, but the amount of time and money that is spent to advertise this “greatest” is money in itself that could go to the charity. “Frequent our business establishment because we gave to the needy” is often a common slogan.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 5-8

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Jesus is now placing the same points on prayer as he did on giving to charity in the verses previously. Making the “spectacular show” of how great an “orator” you are in prayers.  This is a waste of time.  Speaking a “sermon” in the prayer at the dinner table while the smells of the meal fill the nostrils of the guests.  This does not obtain special favors from God for displaying the ability at oration.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

This is a passage familiar to every denomination regardless of doctrinal differences. It has been overly used. Did Jesus intend that this was to be a “prayer” specifically meant to be prayed verbatim?

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 9

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:1-4

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Contrary, it is a “model” on how to pray. A “template”.  Jesus says to pray: “after this manner…” or “for example”.

Here is the template:

First address the entity you are talking to!  So simple, like a letter or a speech before an audience.  You are coming before God!  Address him directly. Are you addressing Him or the man walking down the street?

“Hallowed be thy name”.  Recognize that EVEN JUST HIS name deserves respect and reverence.  Let Him know that you understand that fact.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 10

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:1-4

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Recognize HIS authority.  He WILL do what he wants.  Do you recognize that? Let Him know you do.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 11

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:1-4

Give us this day our daily bread.

Ask Him for even the most basic necessity. You do not have if you do not ask. How basic can you get, but the basic need for food.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 12

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:1-4

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Ask for forgiveness.  Why should he give you anything? Especially if you are still in need of forgiveness. If we are not ready and willing to forgive others; may as well stop praying right here!

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 13

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:1-4

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Ask HIS help to stay out of Satan’s grasp. Acknowledge HIS power in what takes place. AMEN = “so be it”.   Acknowledge your faith that this is it; the end of the conversation.  You believe that what HE WILLS shall come to pass.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 14-15

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Forgiveness

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 16-18

Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.

FASTING

As in the “alms” and the “prayers”.  Jesus addresses “fasting” in the same context. Is it being done for man’s show and approval, so that our “status” is greater?

Fasting is an act that requires dedication of all aspects of mind, body and soul to God. If this is true, how can a legitimate fast be concerned about displaying itself before man? If concern is focused on man and not God then what reason does God have to answer the petition of the fast? The fast is now a waste. Fasting should occur in secret for it to do any good.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 19-21

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:33-36

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Worldly goods and wealth important?  Neither can be taken into eternity. If these are of primary importance, then attention is not given to any other areas in this life, including family.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 22-24

Parallel Passages: Luke 11:33-36

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

It is impossible to be both good and bad; it will always be one or the other.

Matthew Chapter 6 verses 25-34

Parallel Passages: Luke 12:22-29

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Do not be concerned for necessities and how to provide for ourselves. Turn it over to God and he will provide for what we need. Instead spend that time dwelling upon the things of the Kingdom and the other things will be taken care of.

CHAPTER 7

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 1-6

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:37-42

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.

Look inward at one’s own self first. The things that are directed out to others will be coming directly back at us. Do not waste rebuke on those that have turned so far away from the things of righteousness. They will not heed or make use of it for anything more than to throw it right back.

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 7-12

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:31; 11:5-13

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Asking for what is needed.  Need to ask in order to receive. 7:12 has often been referred to as THE GOLDEN RULE.   Treat others as you would want to be treated.

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 13-16

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

The narrow gate and straight path.  Also teaching on how to recognize false teaching.

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 17-20

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:43-45

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 21-23

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Not everyone that calls Jesus Lord will enter Heaven. But ONLY those that do the will of GOD. In the end we can attempt to claim all the “good things for God” that we did. We can attempt to use it as our ticket, but it will not work. Jesus also stipulates that there is more required than just calling Jesus Lord of your life. There must be a conscience effort to do the will of God.

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 24-27

Parallel Passages: Luke 6:46-49

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Parable of the wise man building house on the rock.

Matthew Chapter 7 verses 28-29

And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus taught with “authority” not like the scribes. What a commentary on the scribes. If we are not teaching with any authority when we talk, then why would anyone want to hear us?