The Beatitudes

The terms “The Eight Beatitudes” and “The Sermon on the Mount” are not found in the Bible itself. They refer to the teachings Jesus gave to a large crowd from various places when He first began His ministry, sitting on a mountain in the wilderness. He spoke about what true blessedness is. The eight beatitudes are:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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

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

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

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

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

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

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil things about you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

— (Matthew 5:3-12)

The Sermon on the Mount is not a set of moral standards that people can achieve through their own efforts, nor is it a blueprint for an ideal society that can be built on earth. Jesus was teaching His disciples how to embrace the work of the cross and live before God and before people by the divine life within them. This is the fundamental requirement for citizens of the kingdom of heaven; it is the code of conduct for the kingdom, what might be called the “Constitution of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly used the phrase “your Father” to remind us of our identity. We are to stand firm in our position as children of God, and diligently obey His word, so that His will may be fulfilled in us. His will is to conform us to the likeness of His Son, so that we can live out the reality of being a child of God, and God can receive the people He desires to have as citizens of His kingdom.

Edited and compiled based on the Chinese Union Version of the Bible and a comprehensive biblical interpretation.