"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
REVIEW QUESTIONS
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  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