Matthew Chapter 5

Matthew 5 — “The Law Fulfilled in the Kingdom of the Son”

Matthew 4 ended with the Kingdom proclaimed and disciples called.
Matthew 5 begins with the King teaching.

Christ does not abolish God’s law.
He reveals its true depth.

This chapter stands at the centre of Christian morality:

The Kingdom of God is not less demanding than the Law — it is more holy.

1. The Mountain and the New Moses

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain…” (Matt 5:1)

Matthew is deliberate.

Moses ascended Sinai to receive the Law.
Christ ascends the mountain to speak it.

The Lawgiver is now present in flesh.

St Augustine writes:

“Moses spoke what he heard; Christ speaks what He is.”
(Sermons)

2. The Beatitudes: The Shape of Holiness

“Blessed are the poor in spirit…” (v. 3)

The Beatitudes are not advice.

They are a revelation of who belongs to the Kingdom.

Each blessing reverses worldly values.

• poverty, not pride
• meekness, not power
• mercy, not vengeance
• purity, not indulgence

The Kingdom belongs to those who are emptied so God may fill them.

St Gregory of Nyssa teaches:

“Blessedness is not reward for virtue, but the state of a soul filled with God.”
(Homilies on the Beatitudes)

3. Salt and Light

“You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” (vv. 13–14)

Disciples do not exist for themselves.

Salt preserves.
Light reveals.

A hidden Christian is a contradiction.

The Church exists to make Christ visible.

4. The Law Is Not Abolished

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets…” (v. 17)

Christ does not destroy the Old Covenant.

He completes it.

Every command finds its true meaning in Him.

St Irenaeus writes:

“The Law was not annulled but fulfilled, as shadow yields to body.”
(Against Heresies)

5. A Righteousness Greater Than the Pharisees

(v. 20)

External obedience is not enough.

God demands the heart.

This overturns hypocrisy.

Holiness is interior before it is visible.

6. Anger Is Murder in Seed

“Everyone who is angry with his brother…” (v. 22)

Christ moves the Law inward.

Hatred is the root of violence.

The Kingdom judges thoughts, not just actions.

7. Purity of Heart

“Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully…” (v. 28)

The battle is within.

The eye and heart are battlegrounds.

True holiness is not restraint alone — it is transformation.

8. Fidelity in Marriage

“What God has joined together…” (v. 32)

Marriage reflects God’s covenant.

It is not disposable.

Christ restores its sacred dignity.

9. Truth Without Oaths

“Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’” (v. 37)

The citizen of the Kingdom is honest.

Truth is not manipulated.

God Himself is our witness.

10. Love of Enemies

“Love your enemies…” (v. 44)

This is the summit of Christian morality.

The Kingdom loves as God loves.

Mercy conquers hatred.

St Augustine writes:

“To love the enemy is to become like God.”
(Sermons)

Theological Summary

TeachingMeaning
BeatitudesKingdom character
LawFulfilled in Christ
HeartGod’s true concern
PurityHoliness interior
MarriageCovenant
LoveDivine likeness

Christ in Matthew 5

Christ does not merely teach holiness.

He is holiness.

The Sermon on the Mount is Christ’s own life spoken aloud.

Spiritual Application

  • Let Christ reshape your heart.
  • Choose mercy.
  • Walk in truth.
  • Live as a citizen of heaven.

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,
You who revealed the true meaning of the Law,
write Your commandments upon our hearts.
Make us poor in spirit, pure in heart,
merciful in love,
and faithful in obedience,
that we may belong to Your Kingdom
now and forever.
Amen.