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                        "THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW"

                              Chapter Five

Beginning in this chapter, Matthew records the "Sermon On The Mount".
The theme of the sermon is "The kingdom of heaven" (cf. Mt 4:17;
5:3,10,19-20; 6:10,33; 7:21).  Jesus began with "The Beatitudes,"
describing the character and blessedness of those who would be citizens
of the kingdom (1-12) and illustrating their relation to world as salt
and light (13-16).  Clarifying His own relationship with the Law, Jesus
stressed how our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and
Pharisees (17-20) following with a series of contrasts between the oral
interpretations of the Law and conduct expected of His disciples
(21-48).

POINTS TO PONDER

   *  The meaning of the phrase:  "the kingdom of heaven"

   *  The blessedness of those in the kingdom, and their relationship to
      the world

   *  How our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and
      Pharisees

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The beatitudes - Mt 5:1-12
   - Salt and light - Mt 5:13-16
   - Jesus and the Law - Mt 5:17-20
   - Interpretations of the Law versus kingdom righteousness - Mt
     5:21-48

2) What do the beatitudes describe? (3-12)
   - The character and blessedness of the citizens of the kingdom

3) How are citizens of the kingdom to relate to the world? (13-16)
   - As the salt of the earth and the light of the world

4) What was Jesus’ relation to the Law of Moses? (17-18)
   - He came not to destroy the Law, but to fulfill it

5) What does Jesus expect of those who would be citizens of the kingdom?
   (20)
   - Righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees

6) List the five subjects whose interpretations are contrasted in this
   chapter (21-48)
   - Murder, adultery, oaths, retaliation, love

7) What phrases illustrate the contrast? (21-22,27-28,31-32,33-34,38-39,
   43-44)
   - "You have heard that it was said..." (not "It is written...")
   - "But I say to you..."

8) Then what contrast is being made with these five subjects?
   - The oral interpretation and application of the Law versus the
     teaching of Jesus

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