The Sermon on the Mount Matt 4:24-5:2 Mark 3:7-12 Luke 6:17-19 | Matthew 4-5 24 And the fame of him went into all Syria, and they presented to him all that were ill at ease, diversely taken with diseases and torments, and such as were possessed, and lunatics, and sick of the palsy and he cured them: 25 and much people followed him from Galilee and Decapolis, and Jerusalem, and from beyond Jordan. 1 AND seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his Disciples came unto him, 2 and opening his mouth he taught them, saying, | Mark 3 7 But Jesus with his Disciples retired to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee and Judea followed him, 8 and from Jerusalem, and from ldumea, and beyond Jordan. And they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, hearing the things which he did, came to him. 9 And he spoke to his Disciples that a boat might attend on him, because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. 10 For he healed many, so that there pressed in upon him for to touch him, as many as had hurts. 11 And the unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down unto him: and they cried, saying, 12 You are the Son of God. And he vehemently charged them that they should not disclose him. | Luke 6 17 And descending with them he stood in a plain place, and the multitude of his disciples, and a very great company of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast both of Tyre and Sidon, 18 which came to hear him, and to be healed of their maladies. And they that were vexed of unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all the multitude sought to touch him, because virtue went forth from him, and healed all. |
| St. Thomas Aquinas But here there is a question: for this sermon relates many of the same things found in Luke 6. But discrepancies seem to exist here and there, as is evident in the text. And so Augustine gives two solutions. One is that this sermon is a different sermon from the other one: for, firstly, He went up into the mountain, and He gave this sermon to His disciples: and afterwards, coming down, He found the crowd gathered, to which He preached the same thing, and He recapitulated many things: and of this it is related in Lk 6. Or it can be explained otherwise, that there was one mountain, and it had a level spot on its side: a higher peak was rising above that level spot. Hence, the Lord went up into the mountain, meaning that he went up into a level spot of that mountain. And, firstly, He went up higher, and called together the disciples, and there He chose the twelve Apostles, just as it is related in Luke: and afterwards, coming down, He found the crowd gathered together, and when His disciples came He sat down, and gave this sermon to the crowds and disciples. And this seems to be more true: because Matthew relates in the end of the sermon (chap. 7, 28) that “the people were in admiration at his doctrine.” (Aquinas, St. Thomas Commentary on the Gospel of St. Matthew (p. 141). Dolorosa Press) Lapide Observe, Matthew wished to commence with the preaching of Christ, and to deliver the sum of it at the beginning of his Gospel, which he did by giving an account of this discourse, although it was actually preached some considerable time after. For many events preceded it, which he relates subsequently. The sequence of the history was as follows:—After Christ had restored the hand of a certain man which was withered, on the Sabbath day (Matt. xii. 15), He fled from the anger of the Scribes, and betook Himself to the Sea of Galilee. Here a vast multitude of people flocked to Him, and after He had healed many who were sick, He went up into a mountain, where He remained the whole night in prayer. In the morning He appointed the twelve Apostles (Luke vi. 12). When He had done this He came down from the top of the mountain to a lower level, and there He delivered the sermon which follows, partly to His disciples and partly to the whole multitude. That the people were present at it is plain from chap. vii. 28. Moreover, that this is the same sermon of which S. Luke gives an account in his sixth chapter is clear, because the general thread of each is the same, and because they have the same commencement and the same conclusion. For although Matthew has eight Beatitudes and Luke only four, yet in the eight of the former are comprised the four of the latter; and in S. Luke’s four S. Matthew’s eight are contained. Moreover, Matthew puts off the vocation of the Apostles, which preceded the sermon, to the tenth chapter; for not as yet has he related his own calling by Christ, which he gives in chap. ix. But it is certain that Matthew as well as the other Apostles was present at the sermon. This sermon was delivered about the middle of May, and the choosing of the Apostles had taken place on the morning of the same day, in Christ’s thirty-second year, and the second year of His ministry. Weaved Together Mark 3:7 And he went towards the sea: and there followed him much people from Galilee that he might pray, Mark 3:8 and from Judæa, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumæa, and from beyond Jordan, and from Tyre, and from Sidon, and from Decapolis; and great multitudes came unto him, which had heard what he did. Mark 3:9 And he spoke to his disciples to bring him the boat because of the multitudes, that they might not throng him. Mark 3:10 And he healed many, so that they were almost falling on him on account of their seeking to get near him. And those that had plagues and unclean spirits, Mark 3:11 as soon as they beheld him, would fall, and cry out, and say, You are the Son of God. Mark 3:12 And he rebuked them much, that they should not make him known. Luke 6:18 And those that were under the constraint of unclean spirits were healed. Luke 6:19 And all of the crowd were seeking to come near him; because power went out from him, and he healed them all. Matthew 5:1a And when Jesus saw the multitudes, he went up to the mountain. Luke 6:13b And he called his disciples, and chose from them twelve; and they are those whom he named apostles: Luke 6:14 Simon, whom he named Cephas, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip and Bartholomew, Luke 6:15 and Matthew and Thomas, and James the son of Alphæus, and Simon which was called the Zealot, Luke 6:16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas the Iscariot, being he that had betrayed him. Luke 6:17a And Jesus went down with them and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and the great multitude of people. Mark 3:14 And these twelve he chose to be with him, and that he might send them to preach, and to have power to heal the sick and to cast out devils. |
The Beatitudes
Matt 5:3-12 Luke 6:20-23
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Matthew 5
3 Blessed are the poor in
spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are the meek: for they
shall possess the land. 5 Blessed
are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after
justice: for they shall have their fill. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see
God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers:
for they shall be called the children of God. 10 Blessed are they that suffer
persecution for justice: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed
are you when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that
naught is against you, untruly, for my sake: 12 be glad and rejoice, for
your reward is very great in heaven. For so they persecuted the prophets, that
were before you.
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Luke
6
20 And he lifting up his eyes upon his Disciples, said,
Blessed are you poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 Blessed are you that
now are hungered: because you shall be filled. Blessed are you that now weep:
because you shall laugh. 22 Blessed shall you be when men shall hate you, and
when they shall separate you, and upbraid you, and abandon your name as evil,
for the Son of man's sake. 23 Be glad in that day and rejoice: for behold, your
reward is much in heaven, for according to these things did their fathers to
the prophets.
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Ambrose St.
Matthew mentions eight beatitudes, St. Luke only four; but St. Luke only gives
an abridgment in this place of the discourse, which St. Matthew gives more at
length.
Lapide For
although Matthew has eight Beatitudes and Luke only four, yet in the eight of
the former are comprised the four of the latter; and in S. Luke’s four S.
Matthew’s eight are contained.
Weaved
Together Matthew
5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 28
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are the sorrowful: for they shall be comforted. 29 Matthew
5:5 Blessed are the humble: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:6
Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be
satisfied. Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for on them shall be mercy.
Matthew 5:8 Blessed are the pure in their hearts: for they shall see God.
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the sons of
God. Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they that were persecuted for righteousness'
sake: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Luke 6:22a Blessed are you when men
shall hate you, and separate you from them, and persecute you, and reproach
you, Matthew 5:11b and shall speak against you with all evil talk, for my sake,
falsely. Matthew 5:12 Then rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in
heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets before you.
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The Salt of the Earth
Matt 5:13-14 Mark 9:49-50 Luke
14:34-35
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Matthew 5
13 You are the salt of the
earth. 14 But if the salt loses his virtue, wherewith shall it be salted?
It is good for nothing any more but to be cast forth, and to be trodden of men.
14 But if the salt loses his virtue, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good
for nothing any more but to be cast forth, and to be trodden of men.
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Mark
9
49 For every one shall be salted with fire: and every victim
shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt shall be
unseasoned: wherewith will you season it? Have salt in you, and have peace
among you.
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Luke
14
34 Salt is good. But if the salt loses its virtue, wherewith
shall it be seasoned? 35 It is profitable neither for the ground, nor for the
dunghill, but it shall be cast forth. He that has ears to hear, let him hear.
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St.
Augustine “Have salt in yourselves,
and have peace one with another.”(Mark 9:40-50) These words Mark represents to
have been spoken by the Lord in the connection immediately following what He
said in forbidding the man to be interdicted who was casting out devils in His
name, and yet was not following Him along with the disciples. In this section,
too, he introduces some matters which are not found in any of the other evangelists,
but also some which occur in Matthew as well, and some which we come across in
like manner both in Matthew and in Luke. Those other evangelists, however,
bring in these matters in different connections, and in another order of facts,
and not at this particular point when the statement was made to Christ about
the man who did not follow Him along with the disciples, and yet was casting
out devils in His name. My opinion, therefore, is, that the Lord did really
utter sayings in this connection, according to Mark’s attestation, of which he
also delivered Himself on other occasions, and this for the simple reason, that
they were sufficiently pertinent to this expression of His mind which he gave
here, when He forbade the placing of any interdict upon the working of miracles
in His name, even although that should be done by a man who did not follow Him
along with His disciples. (St. Augustine
Harmony of the Gospels 4.6)
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The Light of the
World
Matt 5:15-16 Mark 4:21 Luke 8:16
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Matthew 5
15 You are the light of the
world. A city cannot be hid, situated on a mountain. 16 Neither do men
light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may
shine to all that are in the house.
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Mark
4
21 And he said to them, Can a candle to be put under a
bushel, or under a bed and not to be put upon the candlestick?
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Luke
8
16 And no man lighting a candle, does cover it with a
vessel, or put it under a bed: but sets it upon a candlestick, that they that
enter in, may see the light.
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Weaved Together
5:15
Neither do they light a lamp and place it under a bushel, but on the
lamp-stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Matthew 5:16 So
shall your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven. Mark 4:22 There is nothing secret that
shall not be revealed, or hidden that shall not be known.
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The Old Law and the
New
Matt 5:17-20 Luke 16:16-17
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Matthew 5
17 So let your light shine
before men: that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is
in heaven. 18 Do not think that I am come to break the Law or the
Prophets. I am not come to break: but to fulfill. 19 For assuredly I say
unto you, until heaven and earth pass, one iota or one tittle shall
not pass of the Law: until all be fulfilled. 20 He therefore that shall
break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men: shall be called
the least in the kingdom of heaven. But he that shall do and teach: he shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven.
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Luke
16
16 The law and the prophets, unto John, from that time the
kingdom of God is evangelized, and everyone does force toward it. 17 And it is
easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fall.
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Against anger
Matt 5:21-26
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21 For I tell you, that unless
your justice abound more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall not
enter into the kingdom of heaven. 22 You have heard that it was said to
them of old, You shall not kill. And
whoso kills, shall be in danger of judgment. 23 But I say to you, that
whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of judgment. And
whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca: shall be in danger of a council. And
whosoever shall say, You fool: shall be guilty of the hell of fire. 24 If
therefore you offer your gift at the altar, and there you remember that your
brother has ought against you: 25 leave there your offering before the
altar, and go first to be reconciled to your brother: and then coming you shall
offer your gift. 26 Be at agreement with your adversary betimes while you
are in the way with him: lest perhaps the adversary deliver you to the judge,
and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
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John
McEvilly The example of Luke12:57-59
does not seem to have reference to the same thing or occasion spoken of Matthew
5:25. (John Mcevilly Com. Lk.)
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On Adultery and
Divorce
Matt 5:27-32 Mark 9:43-48 Luke 16:18
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Matthew 5
27 Amen I say to you, you shall
not go out from there until you repay the last farthing. 28 You have heard that
it was said to them of old, You shall not commit adultery. 29 But I say to you,
that whosoever shall see a woman to lust after her, has already committed
adultery with her in his heart. 30 And if your right eye scandalizes you, pluck
it out, and cast it from you, for it is expedient for you that one of your
limbs perish, rather than your whole body be cast into hell. 31 And if your
right hand scandalizes you, cut it off, and cast it from you: for it is
expedient for you that one of your limbs perish, rather than that your whole
body go into hell. 32 It was said also; Whosoever shall dismiss his wife, let
him give her a bill of divorcement.
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Mark
9
43 And if your hand scandalize you, cut it off, it is good
for you to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into
the fire unquenchable. 44 Where their worm dies not, and the fire quenches not.
45 And if your foot scandalize you, chop it off, it is good for you to enter
into life everlasting, lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into the
hell of unquenchable fire, 46 where their worm dies not, and the fire quenches
not. 47 And if your eye scandalize you, cast it out, it is good for you with
one eye to enter into the kingdom of God, rather than having two eyes, to be cast
into the hell of fire, 48 where their worm dies not, and the fire quenches not.
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Luke
16
18 Every one that dismisses his wife, and marries another,
commits adultery; and he that marries her that is dismissed from her husband,
commits adultery.
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St.
Augustine Mark introduces some matters
which are not found in any of the other evangelists, but also some which occur
in Matthew as well, and some which we come across in like manner both in
Matthew and in Luke. Those other evangelists, however, bring in these matters
in different connections, and in another order of facts, and not at this
particular point when the statement was made to Christ about the man who did
not follow Him along with the disciples, and yet was casting out devils in His
name. My opinion, therefore, is, that the Lord did really utter sayings in this
connection, according to Mark’s attestation, of which he also delivered Himself
on other occasions, and this for the simple reason, that they were sufficiently
pertinent to this expression of His mind which he gave here, when He forbade
the placing of any interdict upon the working of miracles in His name, even
although that should be done by a man who did not follow Him along with His
disciples. (St. Augustine Harmony of the
Gospels 4.6)
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Concerning oaths
Matt 5:33-37
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33 But I say to you, whosoever
shall dismiss his wife, excepting the cause of fornication, makes her to commit
adultery: and he that shall marry her that is dismissed, commits
adultery. 34 Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, You
shall not commit perjury: but you shall perform your oaths to our Lord. 35
But I say to you not to swear at all: neither by heaven, because it is the
throne of God: neither by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet:
neither by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. 36 Neither
shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or
black. 37 Let your talk be, yes, yes: no, no: and that which is over and
above these, is of evil.
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The New Law of Talion
Matt 5:38-42 Luke 6:29-30
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Matthew 5
38 You have heard that it was
said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you not to
resist evil: but if one strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him also the
other: 40 and to him that will contend with you in judgment, and take away
your coat, let go your cloak also unto him. 41 And whosoever will force
you one mile, go with him other two. 42 He that asks of you, give to him:
and to him that would borrow of you, turn not away.
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Luke
6
29 And he that strikes you on the cheek, offer also the
other. And from him that takes away from you your robe, prohibit not your coat
also. 30 And to everyone that asks you, give: and of him that takes away the
things that are yours, ask not again.
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John McEvilly In St.
Luke (6: 29), the order is different from Matthew 5:40, for Luke says,
"and him that takes away from thee thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat
also." This is the more natural construction; as the cloak, which is the
outer garment, is taken off first. The sense is the same in both constructions,
the meaning being, if he take away one garment, be prepared to give him the
other. The words of St. Luke may mean, if he take away the cheaper garment,
give him the more costly one. According to St. Matthew, if he takes away the
inner, give him the outer, or more necessary garment.
Weaved Together Matthew
5:38 You have heard that it was said, Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth: Matthew
5:39 but I say unto you, Stand not in opposition to the evil; but whosoever
smites you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other. Matthew 5:40 And he
that would sue you, and take your tunic, leave to him also your wrapper.
Matthew 5:41 And whosoever compels you one mile, go with him two. Matthew 5:42
And he that asks you, give unto him: Luke 6:30b and he that would borrow of
you, prevent him not. And prosecute not him that takes your substance.
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The Love of Enemies
Matt 5:43-48 Luke 6:27-36
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Matthew 5
43 You have heard that it was
said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to
you, love your enemies, do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that
persecute and abuse you: 45 that you may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven, who makes his sun to rise upon good and bad, and rains upon
just and unjust. 46 For if you love them that love you, what reward shall
you have? Do not also the publicans this? 47 And if you salute your
brethren only, what do you more? Do not also the heathen do this? 48
Be perfect therefore, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.
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Luke
6
27 But to you I say that do hear, love your enemies, do good
to them that hate you. 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them that
calumniate you. 29 And he that strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other.
And from him that takes away from you your robe, prohibit not your coat also.
30 And to everyone that asks you, give: and of him that takes away the things
that are yours, ask not again. 31 And according as you desire that men do to
you, do you also to them in like manner. 32 And if you love them that love you,
what thanks is to you? For sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if
you do good to them that do you good, what thanks is to you? For sinners also
do this. 34 And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks is
to you? For sinners also lend unto sinners, for to receive as much. 35 But love
your enemies: do good and lend, hoping for nothing thereby, and your reward
shall be much, and you shall be the sons of the Highest, because himself is
beneficial upon the unkind and the evil. 36 Be therefore merciful as also your
Father is merciful.
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Weaved
Together Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was
said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy: Matthew 5:44 but I say unto you, Love
your enemies, and pray for those that curse you, and deal well with those that
hate you, and pray for those who take you with violence and persecute you;
Matthew 5:45 that you may be sons of your heavenly Father, who makes his sun to
rise on the good and the evil, and sends down his rain on the righteous and the
unrighteous. Matthew 5:46 If you love them that love you, what reward shall you
have? Luke 6:32b for the publicans and sinners also love those that love them.
Luke 6:33 And if you do a kindness to those who treat you well, where is your
superiority? For sinners also do likewise. Luke 6:34 And if you lend to him of
whom you hope for a reward, where is your superiority? For the sinners also
lend to sinners, seeking recompense from them. Luke 6:35 But love your enemies,
and do good to them, and lend, and cut not off the hope of any man; that your
reward may be great, and you may be the children of the Highest: for he is
lenient towards the wicked and the ungrateful. Luke 6:36 Be merciful, even as your
Father also is merciful. Matthew 5:47 And if you inquire for the good of your
brethren only, what more have ye done than others? is not this the conduct of
the publicans also? Matthew 5:48 Be now perfect, even as your Father which is
in heaven is perfect.
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