What Is the Sermon on the Mount?
What Is the Sermon on the Mount? The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' most famous teaching, recorded in Matthew 5-7, covering the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and principles for godly living.
Key verse: Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' most famous teaching, recorded in Matthew 5-7, covering the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and principles for godly living.
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus' most famous teaching, recorded in Matthew 5-7, covering the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and principles for godly living.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:3 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
The Sermon on the Mount is the longest continuous teaching of Jesus recorded in Scripture. Delivered on a hillside near the Sea of Galilee, it begins with the Beatitudes — blessings pronounced on the humble, merciful, peacemakers, and persecuted. Jesus then addresses the relationship between His teaching and the Old Testament law, saying He came not to destroy but to fulfill it. He raises the moral standard beyond external behavior to the heart, teaching that anger equals murder and lust equals adultery in God's eyes. The sermon includes the Lord's Prayer as a model for communion with God, instructions on fasting and giving in secret, the command not to judge hypocritically, the Golden Rule, and warnings about false prophets. It concludes with the parable of the wise and foolish builders. The Sermon on the Mount presents the ethics of the Kingdom of God and has influenced moral thought for two thousand years.
Key Scripture References
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
"Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Are the Beatitudes?
The Beatitudes are eight blessings Jesus pronounced at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, describing the character and rewards of Kingdom citizens.
What Is the Lord's Prayer?
The Lord's Prayer is the model prayer Jesus taught His disciples, covering worship, submission to God's will, daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil.
What Is the Golden Rule?
The Golden Rule is Jesus' command: 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' — a summary of how God wants us to treat each other.
Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead?
The Bible presents the resurrection as historical fact, supported by eyewitness testimony, an empty tomb, and transformed lives.
Is Jesus God?
Yes — the Bible teaches that Jesus is fully God and fully man, the second person of the Trinity.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5-7 • Kingdom Ethics
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The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Is the Sermon on the Mount?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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