The Sermon on the Mount, Part 1
Introduction
Matthew places the Sermon on the Mount front and center in his record of Jesus’ Galilean ministry. He spends more time on this teaching of Jesus than any of the other gospel writers.
Remembering that the original writings were not divided by chapter and verse, let us go back and take a look at the end of Matthew chapter four to get the full context of what is happening as Jesus begins to teach.
“And when Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:” (Matthew 4:23—5:1, NKJV, emphasis added).
Notice that Jesus needs to lead His disciples away from the crowds of people following Him so that He can teach them. Matthew is clear in chapter five, verse one that the Sermon on the Mount is a teaching to the disciples. Because the Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to include this teaching in his gospel, we know that it is a teaching to us as well because if you are a follower of Christ, you are also His disciple.
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