New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Matthew 5
1
Jesus saw the crowds. So he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him.
Reference
3
"Blessed are those who are spiritually needy. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Reference
Kingdom
James 2:5
Parallel theme
Luke 18:14
2 Chronicles 7:14
Spirit
Isaiah 66:2
Proverbs 29:23
Psalm 34:18
Proverbs 16:19
Psalm 51:17
Isaiah 57:15
Isaiah 61:1
4
Blessed are those who are sad. They will be comforted.
Reference
Blessing
Luke 6:21
James 1:12
Parallel theme
Revelation 21:4
Isaiah 57:18
Isaiah 25:8
Isaiah 66:10
Ezekiel 9:4
Isaiah 35:10
Isaiah 30:19
Luke 16:25
6
Blessed are those who are hungry and thirsty for what is right. They will be filled.
Reference
Blessing
Luke 6:21
Isaiah 44:3
Parallel theme
John 4:14
Psalm 107:9
John 6:27
Psalm 145:19
John 7:37
Revelation 7:16
Luke 1:53
Isaiah 65:13
7
Blessed are those who show mercy. They will be shown mercy.
Reference
Grace
2 Samuel 22:26
Psalm 18:25
James 2:13
James 3:17
Micah 6:8
Hebrews 4:16
Parallel theme
Colossians 3:12
Luke 6:35
Hebrews 6:10
Proverbs 19:17
8
Blessed are those whose hearts are pure. They will see God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 24:4
Hebrews 10:22
Hebrews 12:14
Proverbs 22:11
1 Peter 1:22
James 3:17
Psalm 15:2
Titus 1:15
References God
Psalm 51:10
James 4:8
9
Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called sons of God.
Reference
Parallel theme
Luke 6:35
Colossians 3:13
Psalm 34:12
Matthew 5:48
Peace
Hebrews 12:14
Romans 12:18
Galatians 5:22
Psalm 120:6
2 Corinthians 13:11
References God
Romans 8:14
10
Blessed are those who suffer for doing what is right. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
Reference
Blessing
James 1:12
Luke 6:22
Kingdom
Matthew 5:3
2 Timothy 2:12
Luke 21:12
Parallel theme
2 Corinthians 4:17
Philippians 1:28
John 15:20
Revelation 2:10
2 Timothy 3:11
11
"Blessed are you when people make fun of you and hurt you because of me. You are also blessed when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me.
Reference
Evil
1 Peter 4:14
Luke 6:22
1 Peter 2:23
Parallel theme
Luke 21:17
Mark 13:13
Matthew 24:9
John 15:21
Isaiah 66:5
Matthew 10:22
Matthew 10:39
12
Be joyful and glad. Your reward in heaven is great. In the same way, people hurt the prophets who lived long ago.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 1:2
Colossians 3:24
1 Peter 4:13
Colossians 1:24
Romans 5:3
Ruth 2:12
Psalm 58:11
Isaiah 3:10
Prophecy
Luke 6:23
2 Chronicles 36:16
13
"You are the salt of the earth. But suppose the salt loses its saltiness. How can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. It will be thrown out. People will walk all over it.
Reference
15
Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house.
Reference
16
"In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven.
Reference
Good
1 Peter 2:12
Titus 2:7
1 Peter 3:16
Titus 3:14
1 Timothy 6:18
Light
Ephesians 5:8
1 Peter 2:9
Isaiah 58:8
Parallel theme
John 15:8
1 Peter 4:14
17
"Do not think I have come to get rid of what is written in the Law or in the Prophets. I have not come to do that. Instead, I have come to give full meaning to what is written.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 3:15
Word
Romans 10:4
Luke 16:17
Romans 8:4
Romans 3:31
Isaiah 42:21
Matthew 7:12
18
What I'm about to tell you is true. Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is completed.
Reference
19
"Do not break even one of the least important commandments. And do not teach others to break them. If you do, you will be called the least important person in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, practice and teach these commands. Then you will be called important in the kingdom of heaven.
Reference
Kingdom
Matthew 11:11
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 12:32
Matthew 28:20
Psalm 119:128
Daniel 12:3
Titus 3:8
Revelation 2:20
Romans 6:1
Word
Psalm 119:6
Romans 6:15
20
"Here is what I tell you. You must be more godly than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. If you are not, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Reference
Kingdom
Matthew 7:21
Parallel theme
Hebrews 12:14
2 Corinthians 5:17
Revelation 21:27
Righteousness
Philippians 3:9
21
"You have heard what was said to people who lived long ago. They were told, 'Do not commit murder.--(Exodus 20:13) Anyone who murders will be judged for it.'
Reference
Judgment
Numbers 35:12
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 5:17
Exodus 20:13
Matthew 5:38
Matthew 5:27
Matthew 5:33
Matthew 5:43
22
But here is what I tell you. Do not be angry with your brother. Anyone who is angry with his brother will be judged. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' must stand trial in the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire in hell.
Reference
Judgment
1 Peter 2:23
Parallel theme
1 John 2:9
James 3:6
Matthew 10:28
Titus 3:2
Matthew 18:35
Romans 12:10
1 Peter 3:9
Psalm 109:3
Matthew 18:21
23
"Suppose you are offering your gift at the altar. And you remember that your brother has something against you.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 11:25
Matthew 8:4
Luke 19:8
Sacrifice
Matthew 5:24
Matthew 23:19
1 Samuel 15:22
Hosea 6:6
24
Leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift.
Reference
25
"Suppose someone has a claim against you and is taking you to court. Settle the matter quickly. Do it while you are still with him on your way. If you don't, he may hand you over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer. And you may be thrown into prison.
Reference
26
What I'm about to tell you is true. You will not get out until you have paid the very last penny!
Reference
28
But here is what I tell you. Do not even look at a woman in the wrong way. Anyone who does has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Reference
29
"If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. Your eye is only one part of your body. It is better to lose it than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Reference
30
"If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Your hand is only one part of your body. It is better to lose it than for your whole body to go into hell.
Reference
Parallel theme
Mark 9:43
Matthew 5:29
1 Peter 2:8
1 Corinthians 8:13
Luke 17:2
Matthew 13:21
Luke 12:5
31
"It has been said, 'Suppose a man divorces his wife. If he does, he must give her a letter of divorce.'--(Deuteronomy 24:1)
Reference
32
But here is what I tell you. Anyone who divorces his wife causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who gets married to the divorced woman commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been faithful to him.
Reference
33
"Again, you have heard what was said to your people long ago. They were told, 'Do not break the promises you make to the Lord. Keep the oaths you have made to him.'
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 50:14
References Lord
Deuteronomy 23:21
Leviticus 19:12
Deuteronomy 23:23
Psalm 76:11
Exodus 20:7
Deuteronomy 5:11
34
But here is what I tell you. Do not make any promises like that at all. Do not make them in the name of heaven. That is God's throne.
Reference
35
Do not make them in the name of the earth. That is the stool for God's feet. Do not make them in the name of Jerusalem. That is the city of the Great King.
Reference
Kingdom
Psalm 48:2
Malachi 1:14
Parallel theme
Psalm 99:5
References Jerusalem
Revelation 21:10
Revelation 21:2
2 Chronicles 6:6
36
And do not take an oath in the name of your head. You can't make even one hair white or black.
Reference
37
"Just let your 'Yes' mean 'Yes.' Let your 'No' mean 'No.' Anything more than this comes from the evil one.
Reference
38
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth.'--(Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21)
Reference
39
But here is what I tell you. Do not fight against an evil person. "Suppose someone hits you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to him also.
Reference
41
Suppose someone forces you to go one mile. Go two miles with him.
42
"Give to the one who asks you for something. Don't turn away from the one who wants to borrow something from you.
Reference
43
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor.--(Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.'
Reference
44
But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you.
Reference
Blessing
Romans 12:14
1 Peter 3:9
Parallel theme
Luke 23:34
1 Peter 2:23
Acts 7:60
2 Kings 6:22
Psalm 7:4
45
Then you will be sons of your Father who is in heaven. "He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don't.
Reference
Evil
Luke 6:35
Good
Psalm 145:9
Acts 14:17
Parallel theme
Ephesians 5:1
Matthew 5:9
Resurrection
Job 25:3
46
"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that.
Reference
47
If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that.
Reference
Chapter Summary
Matthew 5 begins the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus describes the character of people who belong to God's kingdom and presents a vision of righteousness that reaches far beyond external religious observance into the attitudes, motives, relationships, and desires of the human heart.
The Beatitudes describe kingdom people as spiritually humble, compassionate, gentle, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, committed to peace, and willing to remain faithful even when their obedience brings persecution.
Jesus then describes His followers as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, emphasizing that their lives should have a visible influence on society and should direct people's attention toward God rather than remaining hidden.
He explains that He has not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them, and He challenges His disciples to possess a righteousness deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, because true obedience is not merely about avoiding prohibited actions but about allowing God's commands to transform the inner person.
Jesus demonstrates this principle through a series of teachings concerning anger, reconciliation, sexual purity, divorce, honesty, retaliation, generosity, and love for enemies, repeatedly showing that sinful behavior often begins with attitudes and desires that exist within the heart.
He teaches that anger and contempt must be confronted before they develop into destructive relationships, that reconciliation should be valued even in the context of worship, and that sexual purity requires control over deliberate desires rather than merely avoiding physical adultery.
Jesus also teaches that His followers should be people whose ordinary words are trustworthy, so that a simple yes or no is sufficient without elaborate promises or oaths.
His teaching about retaliation presents an especially radical kingdom ethic, because instead of seeking revenge, His followers are called to respond to hostility with generosity, patience, and a willingness to surrender personal rights when necessary to prevent further conflict.
The teaching reaches its highest challenge when Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, explaining that this reflects God's own generosity because He gives sun and rain to both righteous and wicked people.
The central message is that Matthew 5 presents kingdom righteousness as an inward transformation that produces outward holiness, compassionate relationships, truthful speech, non-retaliation, generosity, reconciliation, and love even toward people who oppose or mistreat us.
The chapter ultimately teaches that following Jesus is not simply about obeying a list of external rules, because genuine righteousness begins within the heart and gradually transforms the way a person thinks, speaks, responds to conflict, treats other people, handles desire, and reflects the character of the heavenly Father.
The Beatitudes describe kingdom people as spiritually humble, compassionate, gentle, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, committed to peace, and willing to remain faithful even when their obedience brings persecution.
Jesus then describes His followers as the salt of the earth and the light of the world, emphasizing that their lives should have a visible influence on society and should direct people's attention toward God rather than remaining hidden.
He explains that He has not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them, and He challenges His disciples to possess a righteousness deeper than that of the scribes and Pharisees, because true obedience is not merely about avoiding prohibited actions but about allowing God's commands to transform the inner person.
Jesus demonstrates this principle through a series of teachings concerning anger, reconciliation, sexual purity, divorce, honesty, retaliation, generosity, and love for enemies, repeatedly showing that sinful behavior often begins with attitudes and desires that exist within the heart.
He teaches that anger and contempt must be confronted before they develop into destructive relationships, that reconciliation should be valued even in the context of worship, and that sexual purity requires control over deliberate desires rather than merely avoiding physical adultery.
Jesus also teaches that His followers should be people whose ordinary words are trustworthy, so that a simple yes or no is sufficient without elaborate promises or oaths.
His teaching about retaliation presents an especially radical kingdom ethic, because instead of seeking revenge, His followers are called to respond to hostility with generosity, patience, and a willingness to surrender personal rights when necessary to prevent further conflict.
The teaching reaches its highest challenge when Jesus commands His followers to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them, explaining that this reflects God's own generosity because He gives sun and rain to both righteous and wicked people.
The central message is that Matthew 5 presents kingdom righteousness as an inward transformation that produces outward holiness, compassionate relationships, truthful speech, non-retaliation, generosity, reconciliation, and love even toward people who oppose or mistreat us.
The chapter ultimately teaches that following Jesus is not simply about obeying a list of external rules, because genuine righteousness begins within the heart and gradually transforms the way a person thinks, speaks, responds to conflict, treats other people, handles desire, and reflects the character of the heavenly Father.