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THE
EIGHT BEATITUDES
OF MATTHEW 5,
AND THE EIGHT WOES OF MATTHEW 23. Appendix 126 To The Companion Bible. |
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The
eight Beatitudes
of
Matthew
5:3‑12
are best understood
and interpreted by
the eight contrasts,
or
"Woes"
of
23:13‑33.
The comparison
shows that
5:10‑12
form one
(the eighth)
Beatitude,
having one subject
(persecution)
corresponding
with the eighth
"Woe"
of
23:29‑33.
They may be thus set out:— |
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| "THE BEATITUDES" (5:3‑12). | "THE WOES" (23:13‑33). | |
| 1. The kingdom opened to the poor (v. 3). | 1. The kingdom shut (v. 13). | |
| 2. Comfort for mourners (v. 4). | 2. Mourners distressed (v. 14). | |
| 3. The meek inheriting the earth (v. 5). | 3. Fanatics compassing the earth (v. 15). | |
| 4. True righteousness sought by true desire (v. 6). | 4. False righteousness sought by casuistry (vv. 16‑22). | |
| 5. The merciful obtaining mercy (v. 7). | 5. Mercy "omitted" and "left undone" (vv. 23, 24). | |
| 6. Purity within, and the vision of God hereafter (v. 8). | 6. Purity without, uncleanness within. "Blindness" (vv. 25, 26). | |
| 7. Peacemakers, the sons of God (v. 9). | 7. Hypocrites, and lawless (vv. 27, 28). | |
| 8. The persecuted (vv. 10‑12). | 8. The persecutors (vv. 29‑33). | |
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Beside these
eight contrasts there is
an internal correspondence
of the principal thoughts,
suggested by the
combined series,
and forming the
Structure given
in the note on
Matthew
5:3, 4.
It may be further noted that these Beatitudes rest on special passages in the Psalms: Matthew 5:3 (Psalm 40:17); 5:4 (Psalm 119:136); 5:5 (Psalm 37:11); 5:6 (Psalm 42:1, 2); 5:7 (Psalm 41:1); 5:8 (Psalm 24:4; 73:1); 5:9 (Psalm 133:1); 5:10 (Psalms 37; 39; 40). |
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