MAT 5:3-12

The Beatitudes

3"Blessed are the destitute in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

7Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

10Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

11Blessed are you when they reproach you and persecute you and say every kind of evil against you falsely, on account of me.

12Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

In the world it was spoken into

In the Greco-Roman world, 'blessedness' was often associated with external prosperity, honor, and social status. The Beatitudes, however, subvert this expectation by declaring blessedness for the 'poor in spirit' , a phrase that would have resonated deeply with Jesus' Jewish audience. In Second-Temple Judaism, poverty was often seen as a sign of humility and dependence on God, while mourning was a communal response to loss or injustice. The 'meek' were not weak but those who trusted in God’s justice rather than their own strength. 'Righteousness' was a central Jewish concept, encompassing both ethical living and covenantal faithfulness. Peacemakers were highly valued in a society rife with conflict, and purity of heart echoed Jewish concerns for inner integrity. Persecution for righteousness' sake was a reality for many Jews under Roman rule, and Jesus' words offered hope that their suffering was not in vain but aligned with God’s kingdom.

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How other translations render this

MAT 5:3

KJV: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BSB: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Koinōnos: Blessed are the destitute in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

MAT 5:4

KJV: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
BSB: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Koinōnos: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

MAT 5:5

KJV: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
BSB: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Koinōnos: Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

MAT 5:6

KJV: Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
BSB: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Koinōnos: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

MAT 5:7

KJV: Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
BSB: Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Koinōnos: Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

MAT 5:8

KJV: Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
BSB: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Koinōnos: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

MAT 5:9

KJV: Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
BSB: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Koinōnos: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

MAT 5:10

KJV: Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
BSB: Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Koinōnos: Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens.

MAT 5:11

KJV: Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
BSB: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Koinōnos: Blessed are you when they reproach you and persecute you and say every kind of evil against you falsely, on account of me.

MAT 5:12

KJV: Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
BSB: Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.
Koinōnos: Rejoice and exult, for your reward is great in the heavens; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 5:3

Blessed [are]:The word translated 'blessed' here refers to a state of deep, inner well-being and flourishing, often understood as a gift from the divine, rather than merely happiness based on circumstances.
poor:The word translated 'poor' here meant a destitute beggar — someone utterly dependent on alms — not the working poor or those who are simply financially struggling.

MAT 5:5

meek,:The word translated 'meek' carried a sense of disciplined, gentle strength — the same word used for a war-horse trained to obey, not weakness or timidity.

MAT 5:6

righteousness,:The word translated 'righteousness' encompassed not just moral uprightness, but also the idea of being in right relationship with God and others, fulfilling one's obligations within that relationship.