Steady

The Beatitudes

The Beatitudes open Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount: eight blessings, from “Blessed are the poor in spirit” to the persecuted, with a ninth for those insulted for His sake.

Matthew 5:3–12

Berean Standard Bible

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

King James Version

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.4Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.8Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.12Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Each beatitude

  1. The poor in spirit · Matthew 5:3

    “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  2. Those who mourn · Matthew 5:4

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

  3. The meek · Matthew 5:5

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

  4. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness · Matthew 5:6

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

  5. The merciful · Matthew 5:7

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

  6. The pure in heart · Matthew 5:8

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

  7. The peacemakers · Matthew 5:9

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

  8. The persecuted · Matthew 5:10

    Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

  9. The insulted · Matthew 5:11–12

    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 before you.

Questions

How many Beatitudes are there?

Eight in Matthew 5:3–10, and a ninth in verses 11–12 that speaks to the listeners directly (“Blessed are you”). Luke 6:20–23 has four, followed by four woes.

What does “blessed” mean in the Beatitudes?

Happy or fortunate in God’s eyes: not a feeling, but a state God gives.

Where were the Beatitudes spoken?

On a mountainside in Galilee, at the start of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7).

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