Pentecost Season · All Saints · Year A
Matthew 5:1-12a
The Beatitudes
November 1, 2026
Overview & Insights
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)
The narrative introduction to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (5:1–2) indicates that Jesus’ disciples are the more focused audience of the sermon, with the crowds as recipients who, in a sense, listen in (7:28–29). The first segment of the sermon (5:3–16) focuses on a description of Jesus’ followers as they begin experiencing the arrival of God’s kingdom; Jesus’ commands to his followers do not begin until 5:17 (see the sidebar “Outline for the Sermon on the Mount”). The beatitudes (5:3–12) indicate the great reversals that God’s kingdom is bringing about and will usher in. These blessings will be enacted in Jesus’ healing ministry (chaps. 8–9). A contrasting set of woes will be spoken in chapter 23. The beatitudes along with the description of Jesus’ followers as salt and light, emphasizing their missional purpose, set the tone for the rest of the Sermon on the Mount by introducing themes of covenant faithfulness and the inauguration of God’s kingdom.
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Commentary
Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount Begins Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse evangelical commentary on the Beatitudes and the whole chapter.
Matthew 5:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates classic commentaries on the opening of the Sermon on the Mount in one place.
Barnes' Notes on Matthew 5 StudyLight
Albert Barnes' notes on the whole of Matthew 5 and the Beatitudes.
Commentary on Matthew 5:1-12 (All Saints) Working Preacher
A named seminary scholar reads the Beatitudes as the All Saints Gospel.
Matthew 5 Scripture Reflections Word on Fire · Bishop Barron
Catholic homiletic reflections gathered on the Sermon on the Mount.
The Solemnity of All Saints Catholic Productions · Brant Pitre
Dr. Brant Pitre walks through the four readings of the feast, including the Beatitudes.
All Saints Day Sunday Connection Loyola Press · Sunday Connection
Catholic background, reflection questions, and family prayer for All Saints.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary background on the Gospel of Matthew, its structure and themes.
Gospel of Matthew Overview (Matthew 1-13) BibleProject
An animated overview of the first half of Matthew's Gospel, where the Sermon on the Mount sits.
Matthew 5:1 Greek Interlinear BibleHub
Greek word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers for the Beatitudes, including makarios.
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why are the Beatitudes read on All Saints?
The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1–12) describe the character of the people of God, the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and pronounce them blessed. On All Saints they name the communion of the faithful of every age, joined to the great multitude of Revelation 7.
Where does this fall in the Catholic lectionary?
This is the Gospel for the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1), a holy day of obligation in the Roman Catholic Church.
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