The Sermon on the Mount – What is it?

from the old testament

• In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus frequently referenced and interpreted Old Testament passages to underscore his teachings on righteousness, love, and the kingdom of God. For instance, in Matthew 5:21–22, Jesus refers to the commandment against murder from Exodus 20:13 and interprets it to include anger and insults. Jesus speaking of turning the other cheek and seeking peace in Matthew 5:38–39 connects to Exodus 21:24, Deuteronomy 19:21, and Isaiah 2:4. Additionally, Jesus references the commandment against adultery from Exodus 20:14 in Matthew 5:27–28, emphasizing the importance of purity not only in action but also in thoughts and desires. These references highlight Jesus' role as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), showing how His teachings build upon and deepen the ethical and moral foundations laid out in the Old Testament scriptures.

from the new testament

• The Sermon on the Mount refers to the longest recorded sermon by Jesus found in the Bible, located in Matthew 5—7.
• The name Sermon on the Mount originates from Matthew 5:1–2 that introduces the message and reads, "Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying…"
• The Sermon on the Mount covers a variety of issues that were important at that time and continue to resonate with people of all backgrounds today. In overview, they include:
• 5:3–12 — The Beatitudes
• 5:13–16 — Salt and light
• 5:17–20 — Jesus fulfilled the Law
• 5:21–26 — Anger and murder
• 5:27–30 — Lust and adultery
• 5:31–32 — Divorce and remarriage
• 5:33–37 — Oaths
• 5:38–42 — Eye for an eye
• 5:43–48 — Love your enemies
• 6:1–4 — Give to the needy
• 6:5–15 — How to pray
• 6:16–18 — How to fast
• 6:19–24 — Treasures in Heaven
• 6:25–34 — Do not worry
• 7:1–6 — Do not judge hypocritically
• 7:7–11 — Ask, seek, knock
• 7:12 — The Golden Rule
• 7:13–14 — The narrow gate
• 7:15–23 — False prophets
• 7:24–27 — The wise builder
• Jesus spoke with authority on God’s Word. He frequently quoted passages from the Old Testament followed by additional instructions that spoke to the heart of the particular passage. For example, Jesus mentioned the teaching of the Mosaic law of "an eye for an eye," meaning retribution was to match the crime (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21). Yet Jesus used this example to speak of a higher love that would cause someone to turn the other cheek or accept hardship from others without seeking revenge or retribution.
• At the conclusion of the sermon, "when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes" (Matthew 7:28–29). His audience enjoyed His teachings and was surprised that He spoke so boldly and differently from their own religious teachers. This uniqueness led to Jesus being followed by many. It also prompted some religious leaders to seek His death in cooperation with Roman authorities who crucified Him. In the end, Jesus would live again, astonishing His followers by fulfilling the predictions He had given in His own teachings (1 Corinthians 15:3–8).

implications for today

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus not only reaffirmed the ethical and moral foundations of the Old Testament but also elevated them to reveal the importance of our hearts wholeheartedly following God’s call to righteous living. His teachings on anger, lust, and purity (Matthew 5:21–30) challenge us to examine not only our actions but also our thoughts and intentions. His call to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43–48) challenges our natural inclinations toward retaliation and division, urging instead a radical ethic of reconciliation and forgiveness. Jesus' authoritative teaching on prayer, fasting, and worry (Matthew 6:5–34) invites us into a deeper trust in God's provision and sovereignty. Today, these teachings compel us to live lives marked by compassion, integrity, and faithfulness to God's kingdom values, reflecting Christ's call to be salt and light in a world hungering for justice, mercy, and genuine peace.