The Beatitudes are the account of ‘Sermon on the Mount’ preached by Jesus Christ, recorded in Mat 5: 3-12 in NT. It is one of the most quoted passage of Bible, not only among the Christians, but among others as well. . Somewhat similar list of beatitudes is also given in Luke 6:20-23.
Q. What is the meaning of ‘Beatitudes’? And how does it refer to word ‘Blessed’ used in Matthew 5?
English bible does not contain word ‘Beatitudes’.But it is descended from Latin word ‘Beatus’ meaning ‘Happy’ or ‘Blessed’, the meaning of which is very close to original Greek word Jesus that employed . The Greek word for ‘Blessed’ is ‘Makarioi’ which means ‘happy, supremely blessed, and fortunate’. Before we get into the beatitudes, let us look at the similarity and differences in the gospel accounts of Mat 5: 3-12 and Luke 6:20-23.
In Matthew, all the eight beatitudes are in third persons (‘those’), except the last one. On the other hand, in Luke, Beatitudes mentioned in second person (“you”), followed by the list of ‘Woes’ as well. (Luke 6:24-26) The places where Jesus preached the sermon are different. (Mat 5:1 – ‘On the Mountain’ and Luke 6:17 – ‘On the plain’) Bible scholars differs on their views regarding these 2 accounts, whether they are
a) Different records of the one sermon, or
b) Two different sermons with similar subject
Peoples often point out to such differences to disrepute the authenticity and reliability of gospel records. But these minor differences actually serve as an evidence of the genuineness of these records. [Consider an illustration of Professor giving homework to his students. If two students have exactly similar, word by word solutions, Professor would first suspect ‘copying or cheating’!] Apart from these minor differences, there is a exceptional unity and order of thought and substance in the gospel records.
Beatitudes are the great paradox to the worldly belief of ‘blessedness’ and ‘happiness’. It is no wonder that it does not make sense and almost seems contradiction to the carnal mind.
The beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount also defy the great anticipations of an earthly kingdom, which Jews believed Messiah would establish! For how can you establish a worldly kingdom by the Weak and the Meek? How can you be merciful to your oppositions? How can you be pacifiers, if you are to set a kingdom? How can you let people persecute and insult you? It is evident that Jesus not talking about earthly kingdom. But he is offering ‘Kingdom of Heaven’.
The more we study the beatitudes, the more we realize that these qualities are not something you can have instantly. It is a subtle, gradual change. There are not set formulas to accomplish them. Only thing you can do is to allow God to completely transform you from within. And it is very hard to give up control of our life and let God be in driving seat.
Sermon on Mount
Bible Study Lessons
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