Epiphany · Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany · Year A
Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes
February 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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Take it further: Matthew 5:1-12
Commentary
Commentary on Matthew 5:1-12Commentary on Mt 5:1-12 Working Preacher
The Lutheran home commentary on this All Saints Gospel by a named seminary scholar.
Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount and the BeatitudesMt 5 - The Sermon on the Mount and the Beatitudes Enduring Word · David Guzik
A verse-by-verse evangelical study of the blessings that open the Sermon on the Mount.
Matthew 5:1-12 CommentaryMt 5:1-12 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
A Reformed preaching commentary on the Beatitudes as words of hope and challenge.
Matthew 5:1 CommentariesMt 5:1 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentaries gathered verse by verse on the blessings and their promises.
Matthew 5:1 Verse-by-Verse CommentaryMt 5:1 Verse-by-Verse Commentary StudyLight
A large library of expositors stacked verse by verse for a further preaching voice.
Background & Word Study
Matthew 5 (Matthew Henry Complete)Mt 5 (Mt Henry Complete) Bible Study Tools
Matthew Henry's full exposition of the chapter for a classic devotional reading of the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:1 InterlinearMt 5:1 Interlinear BibleHub
The Greek of the passage word by word with parsing and Strong's numbers, including the word for blessed.
Gospel of Matthew OverviewGospel of Mt Overview BibleProject
An animated overview of Matthew that frames its portrait of the kingdom and its people.
The Church Fathers
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