Seminaries and Institutes
Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1

“Matthew 5: The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1,” New Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2003)

“Matthew 5,” New Testament Student Study Guide

Matthew 5

The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1

What would you say if you were asked to give an overview of Christ’s teachings to someone who knew very little about Him? Much of what you might say could come from what is known as the Sermon on the Mount, which is found in Matthew 5–7. We realize how important this sermon is when we note that Jesus gave almost the same sermon to the Nephites when He visited them after His resurrection (see 3 Nephi 12–14). The teachings of the Sermon on the Mount help us understand what it means to be a Christian and that living these teachings is essential to receiving salvation in the kingdom of God (see Matthew 7:21, 24–27; 3 Nephi 15:1). Elder Bruce R. McConkie, who was an Apostle, wrote, “This sermon is a … summary … of what men must do to gain salvation; and the eternal concepts in it are so stated that hearers (and readers) will get out of it as much as their personal spiritual capacity permits” (The Mortal Messiah: From Bethlehem to Calvary, 4 vols. [1979–81], 2:116).

Matthew 5 begins with a series of teachings known as the Beatitudes. The word beatitude comes from a word that means “to be happy, fortunate, or blessed.” The word blessed is found nine times in verses 1–12. Each time Jesus used this word He explained a way to obtain this true happiness He offers to all who come unto Him. Carefully consider how you can apply these teachings of Jesus into your life.

In much of the rest of Matthew 5 Jesus taught how His laws and commandments required a greater standard of righteousness than the law of Moses. The law of Moses did not have the power to bring people into the presence of God to enjoy eternal life, but Jesus promised that this higher law would help them enter the kingdom of heaven and make them “perfect” like their Father in Heaven (see Matthew 5:20, 48).

Studying the Scriptures

Do any two of the following activities (A–C) as you study Matthew 5.

  1. The Beatitudes: A Handbook for Happiness

    In Matthew 5:3–12 Jesus spoke of attitudes or behaviors that lead to true happiness. List each attitude or behavior He mentioned in those verses and tell what you think it means. For each attitude or behavior listed, give an example of how you think it will lead you to greater happiness. As you give your examples, consider the blessings Jesus promised to a person who has each attitude or behavior. The footnotes may help as you determine the meaning of important ideas.

  2. Scripture Mastery—Matthew 5:14–16

    1. According to 3 Nephi 18:24, how do we let our light shine to others?

    2. Write about two specific ways you think you or someone your age could be a “light” without having others feel like you think you are better than they are.

    3. According to Matthew 5:16, why would you want others to see your good works?

  3. The Higher Law of Christ

    Notice in Matthew 5:20 that Jesus said the righteousness of His followers must be greater than the scribes and the Pharisees. This is because scribes and Pharisees were noted for their strict obedience to those parts of the law that people could see. They were not so concerned about living the spirit of the law that is not seen. Beginning with verse 21, Jesus spoke about various laws and traditions under the law of Moses. For each, He explained the greater righteousness required of the members of His kingdom.

    In your notebook, make a chart like the one below to compare the “old” law of Moses to the “new” law of Christ. In the “New Law or Standard” column, list the ways Jesus said we should apply that particular commandment.

    Verses in Matthew 5

    Old Law or Standard

    New Law or Standard

    21–26

    “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time …”

    “But I say unto you …”

    27–32

    33–37

    38–42

    43–47