Setting and Audience

The Sermons on the Mount and Plain have slightly different settings and very similar audiences, the former giving rise to the different names (plain v. mount). These discrepancies and similarities have led to theories about whether they are accounts of the same event or of different events. The explanation that they are different events solves a whole host of other variations as well, including the vast differences in contents. Ultimately, how the two sermons relate to each other depends on questions of how the Gospels came to be written and where the authors got their information.

The Common Beatitudes: Part 3

The final beatitude in both Matthew and Luke is also the longest, spanning two verses. It is debatable as to whether the second verse should be seen as part of the beatitude or an additional comment attached to the beatitude. Regardless, the instruction to rejoice is closely linked to the final beatitude and gives Jesus’ followers additional motivation for why they should desire to be blessed by God despite the suffering that it could entail (as helpfully outlined in this beatitude).

The Common Beatitudes: Part 2

This post is the second part of the examination of the beatitudes common to both Matthew and Luke. I am hoping that I will not get as carried away as I did in the last one, but some of the details I find incredibly interesting. As the final beatitudes are both quite long and detailed, they will end up being a separate post as well, so this one doesn’t get too long.

The Common Beatitudes: Part 1

Four of Matthew’s beatitudes are comparable to Luke’s four beatitudes: the first, second, fourth, and ninth. The differences between them reflect the distinct emphases of each author. I got a bit carried away as I wrote this, so have had to divide it into three parts otherwise it would be very long. In this first part, I will look at the first beatitude in both Matthew and Luke. 

A Closer Look at Luke’s Four Beatitudes and Woes

I have spent a fair bit of time examining Luke’s beatitudes and woes, so it is highly possible that I will get carried away in this post and start mentioning the tiniest details. However, I will do my best to restrain myself.