Jesus' Sermon on the Mount & Other Teachings (Topic 4)

The Sermon on the Mount can be found in chapters ​ (a)   through ​ (b)   of the Gospel of ​ (c)   . The Gospel of ​ (d)   also contains a variation of the sermon, known as the Sermon on the Plain.

• 5
• 7
• Matthew
• Luke
• Mark
• John
• 9
• 4
• 6
• 8

Answer explanation

The sermon on the mount is approximately 100 verses long found in Chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew. The Gospel of Luke contains the "Sermon on the Plain," which can be found in Luke 6:17-49.

Here are the major differences between the two:

1. Setting:

   • Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7): This sermon is delivered on a mountainside, emphasizing the elevated, symbolic nature of the message.

   • Luke's Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49): This sermon is given on a level place, which can be interpreted as a more accessible and inclusive setting.

2. Length and Content:

   • Matthew's Sermon on the Mount: It is more extensive, encompassing three chapters and including a wide range of teachings, such as the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, ethical teachings (like turning the other cheek), and various instructions on religious practice.

   • Luke's Sermon on the Plain: It is shorter, focusing more succinctly on certain core elements. While it also includes Beatitudes and ethical teachings, it does not cover as broad a spectrum of topics as Matthew’s account.

3. Beatitudes:

   • Matthew's Version: Lists nine Beatitudes, which are more spiritual in nature, such as "Blessed are the poor in spirit" and "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness."

   • Luke's Version: Lists four Beatitudes, which are more direct and socio-economic, such as "Blessed are you who are poor" and "Blessed are you who hunger now." Luke also includes four corresponding "woes" (e.g., "Woe to you who are rich"), which are absent in Matthew.

Which of the following figures stressed the importance of the Sermon on the Mount on their work and life choices?

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Answer explanation

Dr. MLK referred to the Sermon as "a costly interruption."

Bonhoeffer, who was killed for criticizing the Nazi regime said: "I would only achieve true inner clarity and honesty by really starting to take the Sermon on the Mount seriously...here alone lies the force that can blow all of this Hocus Pocus of Nazism sky-high."

Bob Marley's 1st ever released song "Judge not" is an allusion to Jesus' teaching in the Sermon.

Gandhi would mention that he read the entire Sermon twice a day for the last 40 years of his life.

Cory Tenboom was part of the Dutch resistance against Nazism--she (with her family) hid a Jewish family in their house before she was arrested and sent to the concentration camps. Later in life, she publically forgave one of her Nazi guardsmen after he asked for her forgiveness, citing the Sermon as the driving force behind why she forgave.

At the time of Jesus, many of his Jewish contemporaries were awaiting the promised messiah told of by the Jewish prophets. Which image most accurately captures the type of figure Jews thought would come?

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Answer explanation

Most Jews in Jesus' day believed that the coming messiah would be from the line of David--a warrior king, who was strong enough to overthrow the Romans and restore the Kingdom of Israel.

The Sermon on the Mount has a five-part structure to draw parallels to the Torah (which has five scrolls).

• True statement

• False statement

Answer explanation

The whole Sermon on the Mount has a 3-part structure:

1) Introduction (Mt. 5:1-16)

2) Main Body (Mt. 5:17- 7:12)

3) Conclusion (Mt. 7:13-29)

There are 10 beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount, intentionally meant to mirror the 10 commandments.

• True Statement

• False Statement

Answer explanation

There are actually 9 Beatitudes:

1) Poor in Spirit

2) Grieving

3) Unimportant

4) Those who hunger/thirst for righteousness

5) Merciful

6) Pure in Heart

7) Peacemakers

8) Those who suffer for Justice

9) The insulted, misunderstood, and bullied

What image(s) does Jesus use to describe his followers at the conclusion of the Beatitudes?

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Answer explanation

See Matthew 5:13-16.

Salt served an essential function in the ancient world to preserve food and make it last (thus Jesus' followers were called to preserve Jesus' gospel).

Light of the World = an allusion to the prophet Isaiah.

Jesus makes it clear in the Sermon on the Mount, particularly in the body of the sermon, that he came to abolish the Mosaic (OT) Law.

• True Statement

• False Statement

Answer explanation

Jesus taught that he was fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, not get rid of it.

With regards to religious practices, Jesus taught his followers to do the following (in the Sermon on the Mount):

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Answer explanation

Re-read Matthew 6:1-23 for a reminder of what Jesus says about the practices of praying, fasting, and almsgiving.

Going to church is never mentioned (b/c there weren't any churches--being Jewish, Jesus and his followers would have likely gone to their local synagogue on the Sabbath).

Main Point: don't do things just for public praise; the real reward is knowing God, not people's admiration.

Which of the following teaching DOES NOT show up in the Sermon on the Mount regarding relationships with God and others?

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Answer explanation

Revisit Matthew 6:24-7:12 if you forget these teachings. Jesus is very clear about seeking to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, not to seek revenge.

At the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells his followers, "there are two types of trees: trees that bear good fruit, and trees that bear bad fruit. You can tell what can of tree it is based on the type of fruit it bears" (see Matthew 7:15-23). What does this mean?

• A person's actions, not just their words, show what kind of person they are.

• You will be able to tell if a person is a follower of Jesus if they do "good works."

• Stay away from growing trees--you'll likely get bad fruit.

• Saying you believe in Jesus makes you righteous in God's eyes.

Answer explanation

At the conclusion of the Sermon Jesus is placing a choice before his listeners about how to live going forward.

Good Works = acts of service for people in need and generosity to the poor.