Matthew 5:1–12
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them:
“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 6:17
Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, and a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases.
What Are the Beatitudes?
The Beatitudes are often called the “Blessed sayings” of Jesus. They describe the posture, attitude, and character of those who belong to His kingdom. These blessings are not about material wealth or earthly status. They are about living under the reign of the King and experiencing the favor of His kingdom.
The Beatitudes parallel the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai, but with a crucial difference. Where Moses received commandments written on stone, Jesus speaks of a new covenant that will be written on the heart.
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” – (Ezekiel 11:19–20)
Jesus’ teaching is not about church traditions or religious roles. It is about everyday life as a citizen of the kingdom of God. These are kingdom attitudes that flow from a transformed heart.
Beatitudes as Kingdom Attitudes
When Jesus calls these people “blessed,” He is describing the joy and favor of those who live by kingdom values. The Greek word used for attitude in Philippians 2:5 (phroneó) means a way of thinking that leads to action:
“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
So the Beatitudes are not passive wishes but active postures for kingdom living.
-
Poor in spirit – Theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
-
Those who mourn – They will be comforted.
-
The meek – They will inherit the earth.
-
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness – They will be filled.
-
The merciful – They will be shown mercy.
-
The pure in heart – They will see God.
-
The peacemakers – They will be called children of God.
-
The persecuted for righteousness’ sake – Theirs is the kingdom of heaven; great is their reward.
Poor in Spirit
To be “poor in spirit” is to recognize that we are spiritually bankrupt before God. In a world that values self-sufficiency, achievement, and power, Jesus says the truly blessed are those who confess their need.
David echoes this truth:
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – (Psalm 51:17)
Jesus reminds us again and again that the way up in His kingdom is down. Humility opens the door to honor.
“For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” – (Matthew 23:12)
Even despair and emptiness can be the soil where kingdom life takes root. To the broken and the weak, God gives His strength. To the spiritually poor, He gives the riches of His kingdom.
The Kingdom Framework
The kingdom of God is built on three realities:
-
The Sovereignty of God – He chooses and rules.
-
The Salvation of God – We are redeemed through Christ.
-
The Spirit of God – He empowers and transforms us.
That’s why the Beatitudes are not just ideals to strive for but kingdom attitudes made possible through the Spirit.
Living the Beatitudes
Each Beatitude reflects a posture of the heart that shapes how we live:
-
To mourn is to grieve sin and find comfort in God’s forgiveness.
-
To be meek is to use strength with gentleness, surrendering rights for the sake of others.
-
To hunger and thirst for righteousness is to passionately desire God’s holiness.
-
To be merciful is to extend compassion and forgiveness to the undeserving.
-
To be pure in heart is to live with undivided devotion to God.
-
To be a peacemaker is to share the gospel and reconcile people to God.
-
To endure persecution is to embrace suffering for Christ’s sake, knowing heaven is our reward.
Closing Thought
The Beatitudes are not just words for reflection—they are the DNA of kingdom citizens. They reveal the heart posture of those who belong to Jesus and walk under His reign.
They remind us that the blessed life is not measured by wealth, power, or popularity but by humility, purity, mercy, and faithfulness to the King.
“Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)
But with Him, even in weakness, we have everything.



