THE BEATITUDES:

JESUS SETS THE STANDARD

As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the Beatitudes (from the Latin word "beatitudo," meaning happiness) are the beginning portion of the "Sermon on the Mount" (Matthew 5:1-7:29). Some are also recorded in the Gospel of Luke, where it is referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:17-49). Herein, Jesus Christ describes the qualities of the inhabitants of the Kingdom of Heaven and indicates how each is or will be blessed.

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Matthew 5:1-11

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the Earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Luke 6:20-23

Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the Kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied.

Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in Heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

THE BEATITUDES PRESENT IN BOTH

MATTHEW AND LUKE

THE POOR

• Matthew has 'poor in spirit.'
• Luke has 'poor.'
• Both texts say that the Kingdom is theirs.

MOURNERS/WEEPING

• Matthew says the mourners will be comforted.
• Luke says those who weep will laugh.

THE HUNGRY

• Matthew has those who 'hunger and thirst for righteousness will be filled.'
• Luke has 'blessed are you who hunger now.'

THOSE PERSECUTED FOR SEEKING RIGHTEOUSNESS

• Matthew says that those persecuted, hated and insulted because of Jesus are blessed.
• Luke says that those who are hated, excluded and insulted as followers of the Son of Man are blessed.
• Both texts say they are to rejoice, 'because great is your reward in Heaven.'

THE BEATITUDES PRESENT ONLY IN MATTHEW

THE MEEK

• The text says that 'they will inherit the Earth.'

THE MERCIFUL

• The text says that 'they will be shown mercy.'

THE PURE IN HEART

• The text says that 'they will see God.'

THE PEACEMAKERS

• The text says that 'they will be called children of God.'