The Beatitudes are referred to the account of ‘Sermon on Mount’ preached by Jesus, written in Matthew 5: 3-12 in New Testament. It is one of the most quoted teaching of Bible, not only among the Christians, but among others. . Similar list of beatitudes is also mentioned in Luke 6:20-23.

Q. What is the meaning of ‘Beatitudes’? And how does it refer to word ‘Blessed’ used in Matthew 5?

The word ‘Beatitude’ is not found in the English bible. 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 used . 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 8 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’ too. (Luke 6:24-26) The sites where Jesus preached the message are different. (Mat 5:1 – ‘On the Mount’ and Luke 6:17 – ‘On the plain’) Bible scholars differs on their positions regarding these two accounts, whether they are
a) Separate records of the same sermon, or
b) Two different sermons with similar subject
Peoples often point out to such differences to discredit the legitimacy and accuracy of gospel records. But these minor differences actually serve as an evidence of the genuineness of these records. [Consider an example of Professor giving homework to his students. If 2 students have exactly similar, word by word answers, Professor would first suspect ‘copying or cheating’!] Apart from these small differences, there is a remarkable unity and order of thought and substance in the gospels.

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. “For the message about the cross is nonsense to those who are being destroyed, but it is God’s power to us who are being saved.” – 1st Cor 1:18

The beatitudes and the Sermon on 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 enemies? How can you be pacifiers, if you are to set a kingdom? How can you let people oppress 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 characteristics are not something you can have instantaneously. It is a subtle, step-by-step change. There are not set patterns to achieve them. Only thing you can do is to allow God to wholly transform you from inside. And it is very hard to give up control of our life and let God be in charge.

Beatitudes in Matthew 5
Bible Studies

Read free suggestions for free website traffic – your personal knowledge base.