Matthew — Chapter 5

📖 Matthew — Chapter 5 (KJV)

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Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.

Matthew 5:1 And ^Rseeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

Matthew 5:2 ^RAnd he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Matthew 5:3 ^RBlessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:4 ^RBlessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are ^Rthe meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed ^Rare they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:7 Blessed ^Rare the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Matthew 5:8 Blessed ^Rare the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Matthew 5:9 Blessed ^Rare the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11 Blessed are ye, ^Rwhen men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Matthew 5:12 ^RRejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

Matthew 5:14 Ye are ^Rthe light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and ^Rit giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Matthew 5:16 Let ^Ryour light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come ^Rto destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:18 For ^Rverily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore ^Rshall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall ^Rexceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ^RThou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

Matthew 5:22 But ^RI say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:23 Therefore if ^Rthou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

Matthew 5:24 Leave ^Rthere thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, ^Rwhiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

Matthew 5:27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, ^RThou shalt not commit adultery:

Matthew 5:28 But ^RI say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:29 And if thy right eye offend thee, ^Rpluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:30 And if thy right hand ^Roffend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:31 It hath been said, ^RWhosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Matthew 5:32 But ^RI say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Matthew 5:33 Again, ye have heard that ^Rit hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

Matthew 5:34 But I say unto you, ^RSwear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

Matthew 5:35 Nor by ^Rthe earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

Matthew 5:36 Neither ^Rshalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

Matthew 5:37 But ^Rlet your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Matthew 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, ^RThat ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

Matthew 5:41 And whosoever shall ^Rcompel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

Matthew 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, ^RThou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: ^Rfor he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Matthew 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the ^Rpublicans the same?

Matthew 5:47 And if ye ^Rsalute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, ^Reven as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

📚 Study This Chapter

📖 What We’re Reading

Matthew 5:1–16 — Blessed disciples become salt and light

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Jesus begins teaching his disciples with blessings for those marked by need, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and faithfulness under persecution. Salt and light describe their visible calling before others.

Key Truth: Let good works direct attention to the Father.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Matthew 5:17–32 — Fulfilled law reaches the heart

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Jesus affirms the law and prophets and teaches a righteousness beyond outward display. Anger, lust, and marriage faithfulness expose the seriousness of inward motives and covenant conduct.

Key Truth: Bring the heart as well as actions under Jesus’ teaching.

Check What You Remember

📖 What We’re Reading

Matthew 5:33–48 — Truthful speech and love reach beyond retaliation

🌱 What These Verses Teach Us

Jesus teaches dependable speech, a response beyond revenge, generosity, and love for enemies. The Father’s kindness provides the pattern for a mature, expansive love.

Key Truth: Practice love that includes people who oppose you.

Check What You Remember

Related Scripture (KJV)

Leviticus 19:18 — Jesus recalls the command to love one’s neighbor and teaches love for enemies.

Leviticus 19:18 (KJV) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.

Reflect and Apply

What relationship calls you to practice the peacemaking or enemy-love Jesus describes?

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