Understanding the Beatitudes

The Beatitudes are a famous part of the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew Chapter 5. “When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven…” (Mat 5:1-12)

This brief passage contains so much deep meaning that people have argued over its exact interpretation for centuries. We are reading it in English, but the original language it was written in was Greek. Jesus spoke the words in Hebrew or Aramaic. A study of the original languages allows us to get a much greater understanding of the rich, powerful, and spiritual ideas in the Beatitudes.

For example, what do you think of when you read: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”? To the modern English reader, it might mean: the people who are quiet and mild in nature are lucky – they have it good, because they will one day own the planet. Is that what Jesus meant? Well, no. A study of the original languages gives us a much better, if much wordier, translation, and we can better understand what Jesus said to us. Take the word “blessed”. In Greek it is “makarios”, and it means a Godlike joy, a supreme, serene, and certain bliss that nothing in life can take away, not pain, not loss, nothing, because that joy rests in God.

Or take the word “meek”. In Greek it is “praus”, and here it describes a person who has learned to humbly accept the will of God, a person who leads a God-controlled life. Such a person submits to God’s yoke, and controls his passions and desires. Such a person who carries out God’s will, and only such a person, is fit to lead or rule among men.

With this approach in mind, we can better understand all of the Beatitudes. The following is a list containing each Beatitude, with a paraphrase of the various translations (by different scholars) I have read, which help us to grasp their deeper meanings.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who know they are nothing without God, and who have put their absolute trust in God, for in their perfect obedience to God, they will be part of the Kingdom of God!

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who are bereaved and completely broken-hearted over suffering and sin in the world, for God will comfort and forgive them!

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who live God-controlled lives, for they will be great among men!

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who need justice, and a right relationship with God, like a starving man needs food, or a man dying of thirst needs water, for they will be truly satisfied!

Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who empathize with others so much that they can see through their eyes and feel the way they feel, for they can show true loving-kindness, and others will show it to them!

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those whose souls, whose inner beings, are holy, pure, unmixed and unadulterated, for they will someday be able to see God!

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who work to create right relationships between men, for in that they are like God!

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Oh, the heavenly bliss of those who suffer for the sake of following Jesus’ Way, for they will be part of the Kingdom of God in Heaven!

The Beatitudes are really powerful exclamations promising the unassailable joy we can find in service to God, despite what the world can throw at us. If we do our best to live by them, Jesus tells us what we will become: “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Mat 5:14-16)