Gospel of Matthew Chapter 5 Vs. 1

 The Sermon on the Mount

Verses 1-2: The opening verses of the Sermon on the Mount indicate that this message deals with the inner state of mind and heart that is the indispensable absolute of true Christian discipleship. It delineates the outward manifestations of character and conduct of true believers and genuine disciples. Thus, the life of the believer, described by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, is a life of grace and glory, which comes from God alone.

To make this quality of life the product of man’s human efforts (as does the liberal), is the height of overestimation of man’s ability and underestimation of his depravity. To relegate this entire message, Jesus’ longest recorded sermon, to a Jewish-only life-style, as do some dispensationalists, is to rob the church of her greatest statement of true Christian living.

The Sermon on the Mount introduces a series of 5 important discourses recorded in Matthew. This sermon is a masterful exposition of the law and a potent assault on Pharisaic legalism, closing with a call to true faith and salvation (7:13-29).

Christ expounded the full meaning of the law, showing that its demands were humanly impossible (5:48). This is the proper use of the law with respect to salvation. It closes off every possible avenue of human merit and leaves sinners dependent on nothing but divine grace for salvation (Rom. 3:19-20; Gal. 3:23-24).

Christ plumbed the depth of the law, showing that its true demands went far beyond the surface meaning of the words (5:28, 39, 44), and set a standard that is higher than the most diligent students of the law had heretofore realized (5:20).

Matthew 5:1 “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:” 

seeing the multitudes... Always the result of a miraculous, God-honored ministry. Found 16 times in Mt. and only 7 times elsewhere.

into a mountain... Not known, so all speculation as to which one is useless. Not the same sermon as in Luke 6:17-49, which was "in a plain."

he was set... The posture of teachers in the East was to sit (cp. Mat. 9:10; 13:1; 15:29; 18:2; 24:3; 26:55; Mark 3:32; 4:1; 9:35; 12:41; John 6:3; 8:2). People marveled at the gracious words of His mouth, not at His physical gestures.

This was the normal posture for rabbis while teaching, sitting.

Let me set the scene for you before we begin. This mountain, spoken of here, was, probably, actually a high area next to the Sea of Galilee. By land, it would, probably, be between Tiberias and Capernaum?

Jesus was thronged by a multitude. Many followed Him, because of the miracles. He really did not exclude these people from the teaching. He just drew aside to an area where the disciples could sit closer up for His teaching (whether 12 or more, we do not know; it was probably many more).

The multitude could listen and glean from His words, if they were to the point where they could understand this deep teaching. In most instances, these people were familiar with the law.

The statement “when he was set”, just means that He sat down in the midst of them to teach. They were eager to hear His teachings. This was more teaching than preaching.

Continuing pronouncements

The Subjects Of His Kingdom

Their character

As the multitudes continued to flock to Jesus (cf. Mat. 4:25), He went up on a mountainside and sat down. It was the custom of Rabbis to sit as they taught. His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them.