Sermon on the mount (Matthew 5:38-48)

• where can the sermon on the mount be found?

  Matthew 5:38-48
• quote from the sermon on the mount


  'if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also'
• quote from the sermon on the mount

  'but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you'
• Jesus intended his disciples to be pacifists. rejecting all violence and whatever the provocation or hurt cause, Christians must go against all their natural instincts and show unconditional acceptance of everyone
• however, it can be argued that Jesus didn't intend for his disciples to be pacifists as he used violence when he overturned merchants' tables in the temple
• Jesus was talking about attitudes towards others in everyday life and he was encouraging an attitude that sought peace and love rather than revenge and hatred
• Jesus' teaching made sense for those living under roman occupation, when active resistance was dealt with ruthlessly. however, that was teaching for a specific situation and historical age
• Jesus was stating an ideal, though realising that it was virtually impossible to put into practice. it was merely a standard to aim for
• as in his parables, Jesus was using exaggeration to make the very practical point that desire for revenge and harbouring hatred impact negatively on the person concerned. the willingness to try to forgiver and show love is essential if those who have been hurt are to move on
• Christians who assume that Jesus is teaching with the full authority of god must follow Jesus' commands in the sermon on the mount literally
• the passage makes many commands that go against human nature:

  • do nothing to resist an evil person who attacks them
  • love their enemies
  • be perfect
• During the First World War, many christians became conscientious objectors and refused to fight with their enemy- many of these people were punished for their beliefs by imprisonment. this is an example of christians taking this passage literally