What are the Beatitudes in the Bible?
Christians and non-Christians alike have heard about them but most likely don't know exactly what they are or why they are so important.
In a nutshell, the Beatitudes are a part of a larger sermon given my Jesus which outlines qualities that His followers should strive to emulate.
The Beatitudes, like many other stories in the Bible, can be a bit confusing without some sort of “cheat sheet.” Not to worry!
We are going to dive into the gospel of Matthew to explain what the Beatitudes are (in simple terms) and how we can easily apply them in our daily lives.
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What Are the Beatitudes in the Bible
Before we dive into explaining what the Beatitudes are, it is important to understand the context in which they were delivered.
The Sermon on the Mount is probably considered the most powerful and important of all the teachings of Jesus.
This sermon, as found in the New Testament in the book of Matthew (chapters 5-7), is a comprehensive guide to living a life in accordance with God's will.
The Sermon on the Mount is delivered by Jesus on a mountainside, and it is addressed to His disciples and the crowd of people who had converged to hear Him teach.
It encompasses various aspects of Christian living, covering topics such as prayer, forgiveness, righteousness, and more.
The Beatitudes, which we will explore in depth, are the opening verses of this profound sermon and serve as a spiritual foundation for the rest of the teachings.
In this set of teachings, Jesus give us guidance on the attitudes and actions that followers of Christ should embody.
In simple terms, this part of the sermon gives us a blueprint for how we should carry ourselves and how we should treat others if we want to be more Christ-like.
There are 8 main Beatitudes of Jesus, but some also consider verse 11 (making it a total of 9).
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:3-12 NIV
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The Beatitudes Explained
What exaclty are the beatitudes?
According to Britannica, the word beatitude comes from the latin word “beati sunt ” (from the Latin Vulgate Bible) which means “blessed are.”
The Beatitudes describe the blessedness of those who have certain qualities or experiences because of their choice to follow Jesus.
What is the meaning of the beatitudes?
The message of the Beatitudes can be summarized as a simple guide to living a blessed and righteous life in the eyes of God.
They outline the characteristics and attitudes that Jesus emphasized as important for his followers.
Let’s dive into Matthew 5 to reveal how the Beatitudes are blessings that go beyond fulfilling the Mosaic law.
The Jewish people were very familiar with Moses’ law, however, Jesus took it a step further with these beautiful and practical verses.
He wanted His people to see that it’s not about obeying rules, it’s about being Christ-like and producing the fruit of the Spirit.
Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (vs 3)
The first beatitude speaks to the “poor in spirit.”
Does this mean if I’m poor, I’m blessed?
Not at all!
To be “poor in spirit” means to recognize one's spiritual poverty or inadequacy.
It is an acknowledgment of our human limitations and a humble attitude towards our own spiritual condition.
In this context, poverty is not about material wealth but rather a metaphor for spiritual neediness.
This verse speaks to those who acknowldge their need and dependence on God.
Acknowledging our need for God's guidance allows us to grow in faith, wisdom, and moral character.
It encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of our relationship with the Father and to cultivate a heart of humility, love, and compassion.
Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (vs 4)
The second beatitude speaks to those in mourning.
For those who weep whether it’s sin, tragedy, or loss, they can rest peacefully in God's comfort and protection.
He encourages those who struggle with losing loved ones or sorrowful situations.
God is the ultimate Comforter. He provides the blanket of warm support and reassurance that rewards are just a reach away.
Blessed Are the Meek
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (vs 5)
The third beatitude speaks to those who are timid or shy.
Meekness is often misunderstood. While it seems to denote timidity or weakness, instead, “meek” means gentleness of spirit.
Practically speaking, meekness generally refers to someone who is disciplined with their emotions, temper, and tongue.
God promises that the meek, not the self-promoters, will receive an inheritance of the earth.
Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (vs 6)
The fourth beatitude speaks to those who truly hunger for living a Godly life.
God will bless those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, especially in this sinful world.
This Beatitude highlights the courage required to stand up for righteousness and justice, even in the face of opposition, ridicule, or persecution.
It reminds us that living a righteous life often demands personal sacrifice and unwavering commitment.
It reassures Christians that their sacrifices do not go unnoticed by God, and their dedication will be rewarded in Heaven.
Blessed Are the Merciful
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. (vs 7)
The fifth beatitude speaks to those who show mercy to others when most would not.
While the word ‘merciful’ may seem like a sign of weakness, it’s the exact opposite.
Too often when someone does wrong, our human nature wants to see them punished for it. We want them to “get what they deserved” for their actions.
But God didn't give us “what we deserved” when He died for our sins. He gave us mercy and grace when we definitely did NOT deserve it!
On this evil earth, while mercy is not seen as a strong trait, those who show mercy will have the accolades of mercy themselves.
What a precious gift this is for those who will see the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed Are the Pure in Heart
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (vs 8)
The sixth beatitude speaks to those whose motives, words, and actions always come from a pure heart.
Having a pure heart means to always be in alignment with God's Will.
As the Bible indicates, purity, or holiness, is necessary to stand before God. God cannot look upon sin.
However, the good news is that those clean in heart will gain access directly to the Lord.
How exciting will that day be when we can be present with our Creator!
Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (vs 9)
The seventh beatitude speaks to those who strive to maintain peace in all situations.
Peacemaking, in this context, extends far beyond the absence of conflict.
It embodies a proactive effort to foster harmony, resolve disputes, and promote reconciliation in one's personal life and in the broader community.
Peacemakers actively work to bridge divides, build bridges, and heal wounds.
The essence of this Beatitude lies in the recognition that peacemaking is a Godly attribute.
By calling peacemakers “the children of God,” Jesus implies that when we engage in acts of peacemaking, we reflect the character of God Himself.
God is the ultimate peacemaker, and this verse suggests that when we emulate this divine quality, we draw closer to God.
The Bible is clear in several scripture verses that peace, a fruit of the spirit, is something we should always strive for in our relationships.
He will reward those who are involved in making peace with others. Submitting to the will of God can be wearisome but it will bring peace to this world and the next one.
Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted for the Sake of Righteousness
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (vs 10)
The eighth beatitude speaks to those who are continually persecuted because they choose to follow Jesus and lead a life committed to Godly values.
Yet, Jesus reframes persecution as a mark of blessing rather than failure.
This teaching honors the courage and unwavering commitment of those who adhere to moral principles, even when confronted with adversity.
He actually call for us to bless those who persecute us!
It acknowledges that their pursuit of righteousness reflects a profound connection with God and His high standards.
Throughout the Bible to the present day, many of God’s people have been persecuted, even unto death.
Even today, Christians are persecuted and made fun of for their beliefs. This can often lead them to living a “less Godly” life to avoid these persecutions.
But those who stand firm in their faith and their beliefs will reap the rewards in Heaven.
Blessed Are You When People Insult You
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (vs 11-12)
The final beatitude speaks to those who are on the receiving end of lies and gossip because of their faith in Jesus.
As followers of Christ, we will continually be insulted and have lies said against us.
People will make fun of us for our choices of Godly living. For our choices in dating/marriage behavior. For their religious traditions.
Jesus reminds his followers of what lies ahead of them. Because of their endurance for His name’s sake, they are truly blessed.
The King will not forget and will award those who have sacrificed and suffered during their time on earth.
What do the Beatitudes Teach Us
The Beatitudes teach us how to live in a way that God would approve of.
They encourage us to nurture qualities such as humility, compassion, righteousness, and a commitment to peace.
They also emphasize that God's blessings are not contingent on worldly success or circumstances but are found in the attitudes and values of the heart.
Jesus' teachings offer a spiritual perspective on what it means to lead a blessed and righteous life and often challenge conventional notions of success and happiness.
We must endure all these hardships, long-suffering, and persecution for just a short amount of time compared to what lies ahead in the Kingdom of God.
How do the Beatitudes apply today?
They are relevant today in the many lessons we can learn in today’s society as we practice being meek, righteous, merciful, and peacemakers.
The Beatitudes offer healing and hope to a cruel world of hatred and confusion.
There’s a better place we will all meet someday where it’s safe and secure.
This sacred place is beyond our wildest dreams; we just have to reveal a few signs of humility and mercy for a short season of time.
Strive to live your life in accordance with the Beatitudes and look forward to the amazing future that awaits you in Heaven!
Be sure to download our free Beatitudes printables as well as all of the Beatitudes images in this post to meditate on and/or share on social media.
