Category:Beatitudes (subject)

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The Beatitudes was an episode in the Ministry of Jesus, according to the Gospels of Matthew (5:3-12), and Luke (6:20-26).

Overview

Matthew and Luke provide two different versions of the Beatitudes in two different contexts.

Matthew locates the speech on the top of a mountain, presenting Jesus as the new Moses and lawgiver. Matthew also emphasizes the spiritual elements of the Beatitudes.

Luke on the other hand locates the speech on a plan, presenting Jesus as the savior of humankind. Luke stresses the social implications of Jesus' preaching; the Beatitudes are followed by a parallel set of woes.

The Beatitudes in ancient sources

Gospel of Matthew

Matthew 5:2-12 (NRSV) -- 2 Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3 "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 receive 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 for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Gospel of Luke

Luke 6:20-26 (NRSV) -- 20 Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. 21 "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. 22 "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 24 "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. 25 "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. 26 "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Gospel of Thomas

Thomas 49 -- Jesus said, "Blessed are the solitary and elect, for you will find the kingdom. For you are from it, and to it you will return."

Thomas 54 -- Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of heaven."

Thomas 58 -- Jesus said, "Blessed is the man who has suffered and found life."

Thomas 68 -- Jesus said, "Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted. Wherever you have been persecuted they will find no place."

Thomas 69 -- Jesus said, "Blessed are they who have been persecuted within themselves. It is they who have truly come to know the father. Blessed are the hungry, for the belly of him who desires will be filled."

Acts of Theucla

Then Paul went to the house of Onesiphorus, and there was great joy among the family on that account; and they employed themselves in prayer, breaking bread, and hearing Paul preach the word of God concerning temperance and the resurrection, in the following manner:

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Blessed are they who keep their flesh undefiled, for they shall be the temple of God.

Blessed are the temperate, for God will reveal himself to them.

Blessed are they that abandon their secular enjoyments, for they shall be accepted of God.

Blessed are they who have wives, as though they had them not, for they shall be made angels of God.

Blessed are they who tremble at the word of God, for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are they who keep their baptism pure, for they shall find peace with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Blessed are they who pursue the doctrine of Jesus Christ, for they shall be called the sons of the Most High.

Blessed are they who observe the instructions of Jesus Christ, for they shall dwell in eternal light.

Blessed are they, who for the love of Christ abandon the glories of the world, for they shall judge angels, and be placed at the right hand of Christ, and shall not suffer the bitterness of the last judgment.

Blessed are the bodies and souls of virgins, for they are acceptable to God and shall not lose the reward of their virginity, for the word of their Father shall prove effectual to their salvation in the day of his Son, and they shall enjoy rest forevermore.

The Beatitudes in Scholarship

The Beatitudes in Fiction

External links

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