Time after Pentecost · All Saints' Day · Year B
Matthew 5:1-12
The Beatitudes
November 1, 2027
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
Working Preacher: Commentary on Matthew 5:1-12 Working Preacher
Lutheran All Saints commentary reading the Beatitudes as a portrait of the blessed communion of saints.
Enduring Word: Matthew 5 Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse-by-verse evangelical notes on the whole chapter.
Precept Austin: Matthew 5 Resources Precept Austin
Study hub gathering many conservative commentators verse by verse on Matthew 5.
BibleHub: Commentaries on Matthew 5:1 BibleHub
Parallel classic commentaries keyed to the opening of the Sermon on the Mount.
StudyLight: Matthew 5 Commentaries StudyLight
Many complete commentaries on Matthew 5 gathered on one passage page.
Background & Word Study
Enter the Bible: Matthew Enter the Bible
Luther Seminary's scholarly introduction to Matthew's structure and themes.
BibleProject: Matthew 1-13 Overview BibleProject
Animated overview of the first half of Matthew, including the Sermon on the Mount.
BibleHub: Matthew 5 Interlinear BibleHub
Greek-English interlinear for word-level study of Matthew 5.
Worship & Prayers
Study Hub
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.
When is All Saints observed?
All Saints’ Day is November 1 (often transferred to the following Sunday). In Year A the Revised Common Lectionary appoints Matthew 5:1–12 with Revelation 7:9–17 and 1 John 3:1–3.
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