Matthew 5

Jesus teaches on the mount

And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: Matthew 5:1–2

Jesus goes up a mountain and sits to teach, as a master teacher did. Moses received the law on a mountain; now the Giver of that law teaches its higher meaning in person.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:1 — The resurrected Lord gives the same sermon at the temple in Bountiful.
• typified by Exodus 19:20 — The LORD came down upon mount Sinai and called Moses up to give the law.
• fulfils Deuteronomy 18:15 — A Prophet like unto Moses whom the people must hear.

The Beatitudes — Jesus' voice

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3–10

Jesus describes the kind of person who is truly blessed. These attributes describe Him perfectly, and they grow in us as we come unto Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:3-10 — The Nephite version says 'blessed are the poor in spirit who come unto me.'
• a parallel account in Luke 6:20-23 — Luke's shorter set of beatitudes.

Persecuted for His sake

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matthew 5:11–12

Jesus places Himself as the reason His disciples suffer and are rewarded. No ordinary teacher could say 'for my sake' and equate loyalty to Him with the faithfulness of the prophets.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:11-12 — The same blessing given to the Nephites.

Light of the World

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13–16

Jesus is the Light of the World, and He calls His disciples to reflect His light. Our light is borrowed from Him and should lead others to worship God, not us.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 18:24 — Jesus: 'Hold up your light that it may shine unto the world. Behold I am the light which ye shall hold up.'
• the same title in John 8:12 — Jesus: 'I am the light of the world.'
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:13-16 — The same teaching to the Nephites.

Fulfiller of the Law

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17–20

Jesus says the law of Moses and the prophets all pointed to Him, and He came to fulfil them. The One who gave the law to Moses is the One who fulfils it.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• interpreted by 3 Nephi 15:4-5 — Jesus: 'Behold, I am he that gave the law ... the law in me is fulfilled.'
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:17-19 — The Nephite version: 'I am come to fulfil; therefore it hath not passed away.'
• fulfils Alma 34:13-14 — Amulek: the great and last sacrifice ends the law, every jot and tittle, all pointing to that sacrifice.

The Lawgiver speaks with His own authority

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: Matthew 5:21–22

Jesus quotes a commandment given at Sinai and then raises it with 'But I say unto you.' Prophets said 'Thus saith the Lord'; Jesus speaks as the Lord who gave the law. The same pattern repeats in verses 27-28, 31-32, 33-34, 38-39, and 43-44.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Exodus 20:13 — Thou shalt not kill — the commandment Jehovah spoke from Sinai.
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:19-20 — To the Nephites He adds: 'I have given you the law and the commandments of my Father.'
• alluded to by Matthew 7:29 — The people notice He taught as one having authority.

The Great King

The great King — the LORD as King over all the earth

Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Matthew 5:35

Jesus borrows a psalm that calls Jerusalem the city of the great King, the LORD. In Latter-day Saint understanding that King is Jehovah, the premortal Christ — the very One speaking.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quotes Psalm 48:2 — Mount Zion, the city of the great King.
• the same title in Malachi 1:14 — 'I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts.'

Be perfect — even as I

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. Matthew 5:43–48

Jesus teaches us to love even enemies so we become like our Heavenly Father. After His Resurrection He included Himself as the example: 'even as I, or your Father.'

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:48 — 'I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.'
• alludes to Moroni 10:32 — Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him.