The Eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5, and The Eight Woes of Matthew 23.
This Is Appendix 126 From The Companion Bible.
The eight Beatitudes of Matthew 5:3-12 are best understood and interpreted by the eight contrasts, or "Woes" of 23:13-33. The comparison shows that 5:10-12 form one (the eighth) Beatitude, having one subject (persecution) corresponding with the eighth Woe of 23:29-33.
They may be thus set out:-
"THE BEATITUDES" (Matthew 5:3-12).
- The kingdom opened to the poor (verse 3).
- Comfort for mourners (verse
4).
- The meek inheriting the earth (verse
5).
- True righteousness sought by true desire (verse
6).
- The merciful obtaining mercy (verse
7).
- Purity within, and the vision of God hereafter (verse
8).
- Peacemakers, the sons of God (
9).
- The persecuted (verses
10,12).
|
"THE WOES" (Matthew 23:13-33).
- The kingdom shut (verse 3).
- Mourners distressed (verse
14).
- Fanatics compassing the earth (verse
15).
- False righteousness sought by casuistry (verses
16-22).
- Mercy "mercy" and "left undone" (verses
23,24).
- Purity without, uncleanness within. "Blindness" (verses
25,26).
- Hypocrites, and lawless (verses
27,28).
- The persecutors (verses
29-33).
|
Besides these eight contrasts there is an internal correspondence of the principal thoughts, suggested by the combined series, and forming the Structure given in the note on Matthew 5:3,4.
It may be further noted that these Beatitudes rest on special passages in the Psalms: Matthew 5:3 (Psalm 40:17); 5:4 (Psalm 119:136); 5:5 (Psalm 37:11);
5:6 (Psalm 42:1,2); 5:7 (Psalm 41:1); 5:8 (Psalm 24:4; 73:1);
5:9 (Psalm 133:1); 5:10 (Psalms 37; 39; 40).
|