Blessed Are They Which Do Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness

The fourth Beatitude promises that those who passionately pursue God's righteousness—with the desperation of physical hunger and thirst—will be fully satisfied.

Matthew 5:6

Quick Answer

The fourth Beatitude promises that those who passionately pursue God's righteousness—with the desperation of physical hunger and thirst—will be fully satisfied.

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." — Matthew 5:6 (KJV)

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled."

Matthew 5:6 — Read in Context

What Does the 4th Beatitude Mean?

In first-century Palestine, hunger and thirst were not metaphorical inconveniences—they were life-threatening realities. Jesus chose this imagery deliberately: the desire for righteousness should be as intense and urgent as a starving person's need for food or a desert traveler's need for water. The Greek tense indicates a continuous, habitual longing—not a one-time desire but an ongoing appetite. 'Righteousness' (Greek: dikaiosyne) encompasses both personal holiness and social justice—right standing with God and right action toward others. This Beatitude follows naturally from the first three: those who are poor in spirit, who mourn over sin, and who are meek will naturally hunger for things to be made right. The promise 'they shall be filled' (Greek: chortazo, used for feeding animals to full satisfaction) assures that God abundantly satisfies those who seek Him. As Psalm 107:9 declares, 'For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.'

Historical Context

Famine and drought were frequent realities in ancient Palestine, making Jesus' metaphor viscerally powerful. The Galilean peasants listening would have known genuine hunger. The Jewish concept of righteousness (Hebrew: tsedaqah) encompassed both personal piety and social justice—caring for widows, orphans, and the poor. The Pharisees pursued a legalistic form of righteousness through strict Torah observance, but Jesus pointed to a deeper, relational righteousness that began in the heart and flowed outward in both holiness and compassion.

Original Language

δικαιοσύνην(dikaiosynēn — Greek)

Righteousness in its fullest sense—encompassing right standing before God (justification), right living (sanctification), and right treatment of others (social justice). The Hebrew equivalent 'tsedaqah' always carried both vertical and horizontal dimensions.

Common Misconceptions

Myth

Hungering for righteousness means being self-righteous or judgmental of others.

Truth

This Beatitude describes a humble craving for God's righteousness—not confidence in one's own. Those who truly hunger for righteousness recognize how far they fall short, which produces humility, not judgment.

Myth

Once you become a Christian, the hunger should be satisfied and go away.

Truth

The Greek verb tense indicates continuous, ongoing hunger. Spiritual growth deepens the appetite rather than eliminating it. The closer we draw to God, the more we desire His righteousness—like a taste that creates greater longing.

Applying This Beatitude Today

In a world offering countless substitutes for spiritual satisfaction—success, pleasure, entertainment—this Beatitude redirects our deepest cravings toward God. Hungering for righteousness means pursuing integrity even when it's costly, advocating for justice for the marginalized, and never becoming complacent in spiritual growth. It's checking your spiritual appetite: What are you truly craving?

Related Scripture References

Psalm 42:1-2

"As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God."

Read in context

Psalm 107:9

"For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness."

Read in context

Isaiah 55:1

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."

Read in context

John 6:35

"And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."

Read in context

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness?

It means desiring God's righteousness with the same intensity and urgency as physical hunger and thirst—a deep, ongoing craving for personal holiness, a right relationship with God, and justice in the world.

How can we develop a hunger for righteousness?

Through regular Scripture reading, prayer, worship, fasting, and surrounding yourself with others who pursue God. As you taste God's goodness, your appetite for righteousness grows. Removing spiritual 'junk food'—distractions that dull your spiritual appetite—also helps.