GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Exhortations and Warnings: Mt 7,13-29
We come now to the last part of the Sermon on the Mount, the conclusion in 7,13-29
We can begin by noticing how the Sermon on the Mount begins with Blessings and ends with Warnings. Consider the effect of this.
Read through the warnings - how many are there? See Dt 11,26-27 for some background, or Jeremiah 21,8.
The Narrow Gate: 7,13-14
The choice of two ways can be found in psalm 1.
Consider how we understand "there are few who find it" in verse 14.
Look now at my response.
False Prophets: 7,15-23
We read these verses aware that Jesus is himself a prophet. His whole ministry is prophetic and he refers to himself as a prophet - 13,57.
The theme of false prophets is common in the Old Testament. True prophets tended to be those whose message is unpopular (1 Kings 22,8 or Jeremiah 28, especially Jer 28,9).
The early Christian community also had prophets (1 Cor 14,3-4). False prophets were a concern of the early Church: Mk 13,22 or 2nd Peter 2,1.
Verse 15 echoes John 10,11-12.
Matthew likes the theme of good trees bearing good fruit - see also 12,33 and 21,43.
The theme of good fruit in verse 16 can also be seen in Sir 27,6 or Galatians 5,19-2. Echoes too of Psalm 1,3. John the Baptist is saying similar things in 3,10.
Observe how verse 20 echoes verse 16
Verse 21 echoes the Lord's prayer 6,10. The theme of prophecy now develops into the last judgement.
Verses 22-23 indicate that more is needed than mighty deeds and words. What is the fundamental theme of the Sermon? 5ee 5,6; 7,33.
Many translations speak of evildoers in verse 23 (NRSV, NAB). Can you find another word which might be better?
Solid Foundations: 7,24-27
We return to the theme of the two ways with a simile ("like"). What are the two requirements of verse 24? See James 1,22-25. Look again at 7,17-18 and 7,21-22.
Consider the contrast between two lifestyles: see Proverbs 1,2-7. Look as well as 25,1-13.What is the rock in verse 25?
For the storm, look at 8,23-27 and Genesis 6.
A comparison with Lk 6,48-49 shows the different descriptions of the two evangelists.
Look now at my response.
CONCLUSION: 7,28-29
In verse 28, the phrase "When Jesus finished..." is that used for all the discourses by Matthew (11,1; 13,53; 19,1 and 26,1).
This time the crowds reappear (5,1). Does their astonishment go far enough?
Authority is a central theme in this Gospel. See also 9,6 and 28,18-20.
Now have another look at my response.
The Sunday Gospel Mt 7,21-27
The final part of the Sermon on the Mount, 7,21-27, is read as the Gospel for the 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time.
This Sunday Gospel reading includes as we can see two parts of the page we are reading.
The accompanying reading from the Old Testament is Deuteronomy 11,18.26-28.32. As usual, read the whole passage, Dt 11,18-28. Part of it we have met already as I referred you to Dt 11,26-27 as background for this page.
We now continue with our overview of chapters 8 and 9 as Jesus comes down from the mountain and we hear of his deeds of power.