Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 6
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 6
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
Cross References
2 Samuel 22:26With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.Psalms 18:25With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright;James 2:13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.James 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.Colossians 3:12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;Luke 6:35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.Micah 6:8He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Historical Context
In first-century Judaism, mercy (hesed in Hebrew tradition) was a core covenant virtue. Jesus' sermon on a Galilean mountainside to Jewish audiences would evoke Sinai's law-giving. However, Jesus radically redefines blessing beyond mere covenant-keeping to internal character transformation. The merciful acts Jesus envisions extend beyond Jewish community boundaries to enemies (5:44) and the undeserving, reflecting God's character revealed in Exodus 34:6-7.
Questions for Reflection
- How does showing mercy demonstrate that we have truly experienced God's mercy?
- What is the relationship between receiving mercy and extending mercy to others?
- In what practical ways can we cultivate merciful hearts in daily interactions?
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Analysis & Commentary
This beatitude declares 'Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy' (Greek: μακάριοι οἱ ἐλεήμονες, 'blessed the merciful ones'). The blessing operates on the principle of divine reciprocity: those who show mercy (ἐλεέω, compassionate action toward the needy) will themselves receive mercy. This is not salvation by works but a demonstration that genuine faith produces merciful character. The future tense 'shall obtain mercy' (ἐλεηθήσονται, divine passive) indicates God as the source of mercy. Kingdom citizens embody God's mercy because they have experienced it.