"THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"
Chapter Five
Beginning in this chapter, Matthew records the "Sermon On The Mount".
The theme of the sermon is "The kingdom of heaven" (cf. Mt 4:17;
5:3,10,19-20; 6:10,33; 7:21). Jesus began with "The Beatitudes,"
describing the character and blessedness of those who would be citizens
of the kingdom (1-12) and illustrating their relation to world as salt
and light (13-16). Clarifying His own relationship with the Law, Jesus
stressed how our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and
Pharisees (17-20) following with a series of contrasts between the oral
interpretations of the Law and conduct expected of His disciples
(21-48).
POINTS TO PONDER
* The meaning of the phrase: "the kingdom of heaven"
* The blessedness of those in the kingdom, and their relationship to
the world
* How our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and
Pharisees
REVIEW QUESTIONS
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- The beatitudes - Mt 5:1-12
- Salt and light - Mt 5:13-16
- Jesus and the Law - Mt 5:17-20
- Interpretations of the Law versus kingdom righteousness - Mt
5:21-48
2) What do the beatitudes describe? (3-12)
- The character and blessedness of the citizens of the kingdom
3) How are citizens of the kingdom to relate to the world? (13-16)
- As the salt of the earth and the light of the world
4) What was Jesus’ relation to the Law of Moses? (17-18)
- He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it
5) What does Jesus expect of those who would be citizens of the kingdom?
(20)
- Righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees
6) List the five subjects whose interpretations are contrasted in this
chapter (21-48)
- Murder, adultery, oaths, retaliation, love
7) What phrases illustrate the contrast? (21-22,27-28,31-32,33-34,38-39,
43-44)
- "You have heard that it was said..." (not "It is written...")
- "But I say to you..."
8) Then what contrast is being made with these five subjects?
- The oral interpretation and application of the Law versus the
teaching of Jesus