THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The Sermon on the Mount
Overview: Chapter 5
Chapter 5 begins the Sermon by setting the scene as Jesus goes up the mountain, sits down and his disciples come to him, 5,1-2.
The Beatitudes (5,3-12) begin the Sermon followed by the the images of salt and light (5,13-16). Together this forms the introduction to the Sermon.
We can note how one flows into the other because the ninth beatitude changes to "Blessed are you" and the "you" then continues into the two images. The introduction therefore needs to be read as a whole.
From 5,17-20 there is the opening statement of the sermon which concludes with the saying in 5,20. This opening sets the scene for what follows, 5,21-48.
This statement is linked to the introduction by the theme of righteousness in verse 20. This recalls the two Beatitudes concerning righteousness in verses 6 and 10. Yet righteousness is mentioned again only incidentally in verse 45 in this part of the sermon.
The teaching that follows develops and explains the saying in 5,20. It is formed of six statements which are introduced by "you have heard that it was said" and then marked by the repeated "I say to you" (5,22.28.32.34.39.44).
Only the first and fourth statements have the full expression "you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times" (5,21; 5,33, with "again"). This divides the six statements into two groups.
The saying about perfection in 5,48 marks a conclusion, so that 5,17-48 forms the first part of the main sermon.
Reading Plan
From what we have discovered, it will be best to read the setting and introduction on one page, 5,1-16. This may be a long page but we need to keep the unity of the introduction to the sermon.
On the next page we then have a short page with the important opening statement, 5,17-5,20.
The third and fourth pages will then be the two groups of statements, 5,21-33 and 5,33-48.
Chapter 5 and the Sunday Gospel
chapter 5 of the Gospel of Matthew is read over four Sundays. This says much about the importance the Church gives Jesus' teachings as presented by the evangelist in this chapter.
On the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel of the Beatitudes is read (Mt 5,1-12).On the 5th Sunday, the Salt and Light Gospel is read (Mt 5,13-16).
On the 6th Sunday, a long Gospel (Mt 5,17-37) follows the short one.
On the 7th Sunday, all this comes to a conclusion with the emphasis on love of enemies and the call to be perfect (Mt 5,38-48).
We can see that four statements are presented on the 6th Sunday with the last two on the 7th.
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