Sermon On The Mount Analysis

The Sermon on the Mount was intend for an audience familiar with Jewish laws, including the laws of marriage and involved extensive quoting of the Hebrew Bible and poetry. Jesus rework the Law/Torah throughout chapters five, six and seven in Matthew. Chapter 5 begins with Jesus going to the crowd on top of the mountain and blessing several different thing (Matthew 5:11-12). In verses 13-16, Jesus compares people with being salt of the earth and the light of the world. Jesus clearly states that he is not “abolishing" the laws but has came to “fulfill” them (Matthew 5:17). Then Jesus points out who ever breaks the commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven and whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:19). Verses 21-26

The next set of verses are 27-30 which are concerning adultery. Anyone who looks at a women with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matthew 5:28). Jesus say to throw your right eye away or any other body part that causes you to sin (Matthew 5:29). It is better to lose a body part than to have your whole body thrown to hell. Verses 31-32 concern divorce and states,”anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced women commits adultery” (Matthew 5:32). The sermon on the mount was written in two different sets of audiences in Mark and Matthew. In Mark the laws of adult are different than Matthew. Mark states, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery” (Mark 10:11-12). Theses books contradict themselves, stating different interpretations of