Summary
In Matthew 5, Jesus rises on a mountain to teach His disciples and the gathered crowds. He opens with the Beatitudes, proclaiming blessings for the poor in spirit, mourners, meek, those seeking righteousness, merciful, pure-hearted, peacemakers, and persecuted. Jesus then asserts His role to fulfill, not abolish, the Law, emphasizing that even the smallest detail remains binding. He reinterprets the Law, insisting that true righteousness exceeds that of scribes and Pharisees, and introduces higher standards for anger, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love for enemies. He urges practical compassion: reconciliations before sacrifices, generosity to the needy, and forgiving enemies to reflect divine love. Finally, he calls His followers to perfect holiness, mirroring the perfection of the Father.