Matthew 5:1
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
Original Language Analysis
Ἰδὼν
seeing
G1492
Ἰδὼν
seeing
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 16
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὄχλους
the multitudes
G3793
ὄχλους
the multitudes
Strong's:
G3793
Word #:
4 of 16
a throng (as borne along); by implication, the rabble; by extension, a class of people; figuratively, a riot
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
6 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 16
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καθίσαντος
when he was set
G2523
καθίσαντος
when he was set
Strong's:
G2523
Word #:
10 of 16
to seat down, i.e., set (figuratively, appoint); intransitively, to sit (down); figuratively, to settle (hover, dwell)
αὐτοῦ·
his
G846
αὐτοῦ·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
προσῆλθον
came
G4334
προσῆλθον
came
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
12 of 16
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
αὐτοῦ·
his
G846
αὐτοῦ·
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Cross References
Mark 3:13And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.Matthew 15:29And Jesus departed from thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there.Mark 4:1And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.Mark 3:20And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.Matthew 4:25And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.Matthew 13:2And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
Historical Context
Mountains held special significance in Jewish teaching tradition. Moses received the Law on Sinai, and rabbinic teachers often sat to deliver authoritative instruction. By teaching from a mountain, Jesus positions Himself as the new Moses giving the new covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's authority to teach compare to human religious teachers and authorities?
- What does it mean that Jesus sat down to teach His disciples rather than addressing the crowds first?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Jesus ascends a mountain to teach, deliberately evoking Moses on Sinai. However, Jesus speaks with His own authority as the divine Lawgiver, not merely as a prophet. The 'disciples' here include both the Twelve and a broader circle of followers. This sermon establishes the constitution and character of the Kingdom of Heaven.