Who was Jesus addressing the Sermon on the Mount to?

[Rajesh Sahu]

The Sermon on the mount is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking found in the New Testament, and has been one of the most widely quoted elements of the Canonical Gospels. It includes some of the best known teachings of Jesus, such as the Beatitudes, and the widely recited Lord's Prayer. The Sermon on the Mount is generally considered to contain the central tenets of Christian discipleship.
(Wikipedia)

Matthew 5:
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ESV

and Matthew 7 ends:

28And when Jesus finished these sayings, the CROWDS were astonished at his teaching, 29for he was TEACHING THEM as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. ESV

Matthew 8:1 tells us :
"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him"

It appears from all the above verses that Christ was teaching a mixed crowd. Not just His disciples.
Mahatma Gandhi was one of thousands across the globe who were deeply moved and inspired by the The Sermon on the mount.
Did the sermon on the mount teachings then apply to non Christian also ?
Could they be saved if they obeyed what Christ taught ?

 

[JLB]

The Sermon on the mount is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking found in the New Testament, and has been one of the most widely quoted elements of the Canonical Gospels. It includes some of the best known teachings of Jesus, such as the Beatitudes, and the widely recited Lord's Prayer. The Sermon on the Mount is generally considered to contain the central tenets of Christian discipleship.
(Wikipedia)

Matthew 5:
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ESV

and Matthew 7 ends:

28And when Jesus finished these sayings, the CROWDS were astonished at his teaching, 29for he was TEACHING THEM as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. ESV

Matthew 8:1 tells us :
"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him"

It appears from all the above verses that Christ was teaching a mixed crowd. Not just His disciples.
Mahatma Gandhi was one of thousands across the globe who were deeply moved and inspired by the The Sermon on the mount.
Did the sermon on the mount teachings then apply to non Christian also ?
Could they be saved if they obeyed what Christ taught ?

I believe the Bible teaches us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.


He says it this way in 2 John -


Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 2 John 9


Anyone who wanders away and does not remain faithful to the teaching of Christ has no relationship with God. But those who remain in the teaching of Christ have a wonderful relationship with both the Father and the Son. 2 John 2 The Passion Version



JLB

 

[chessman]

...He was TEACHING THEM as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. ESV

Did Gentiles have Scribes?

And he went around through all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.​

Matthew 4:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew 4:23&version=LEB

 

[JohnDB]

The "Sermon on the Mount" is best described as a more modern commentary on the Ten Commandments... even if it's almost 2,000 years old. And where Latin, Greek, and English translations don't show the beautiful manner in which it was said...it's actually Aramaic poetry.

When Jesus is said to be teaching "as one who had authority" it's a reference to their cultural norms. Your average rabbi couldn't teach/explain the Torah. The Jews had too much respect for it to do so. Only the highest order of Rabbi could and would do so. And Jesus used poetry to do it.

 

[JohnDB]

Did Gentiles have Scribes?

And he went around through all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.​

Matthew 4:23 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew 4:23&version=LEB

Scribes...experts in the Law, or more literal "grammiton".
These guys were those who were some of the "best of the best" in their higher learning educational system without becoming a rabbi.
Every last one of them had the entire Torah completely memorized and could and would recite entire passages from memory.
Because many aspects of The Law had capital punishment as a remedy for violating a law (613 of them) people who were common didn't/couldn't advocate for their innocence. Or if you felt you were wronged by someone you couldn't bring charges unsuccessfully or else you would receive the punishment you were trying to get imposed upon the other guy.

So this group of "experts of the Law" became popular. They would take your case (for a fee) and either defend you or help advocate for your cause in front of the judges or Sanhidrin.

Jesus "as one having authority" spoke as a top level Rabbi. Meaning that he could judicate cases. (One guy did try to get an inheritance case heard by him).

Of course the "Scribes" would do a bit of judge shopping and work all the angles possible. These guys were also adept in Midrash...which is debating/discussing the finer points of the Law and how to win their positions. Jesus' commentary on the Law absolutely confounded them because they were looking for what they could prove and heart condition and attitude are very difficult to prove.

 

[Knotical]

Christ was further illuminating what it means to follow the law, but then Christ also fulfilled the requirement of the law so we were not subject to it. However, it is the following of the law that marks us as true Christians, which have been called by the Holy Spirit and saved by Grace through Faith that was imparted to us by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was speaking to everyone in attendance, including those who may not be called as He uses all means at his disposal to reach those He would call. Subsequently, what he spoke of at that occasion was written down and included in the bible so we could, thousands of years later, be exposed to it and learn from it. And ultimately be called by the Holy Spirit.

 

[LovethroughDove]

Did the sermon on the mount teachings then apply to non Christian also ?
Could they be saved if they obeyed what Christ taught ?

The sermon on the mount was sifting the wheat from the tares. The wheat will be those who understand what he is saying is the truth and therefore understand he is the light of the world.

John 3:19-21"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been through God."

It was to bring the wheat to the light (himself).

 

[chessman]

Scribes...experts in the Law, or more literal "grammiton".
These guys were those who were some of the "best of the best" in their higher learning educational system without becoming a rabbi.
Every last one of them had the entire Torah completely memorized and could and would recite entire passages from memory.
Because many aspects of The Law had capital punishment as a remedy for violating a law (613 of them) people who were common didn't/couldn't advocate for their innocence. Or if you felt you were wronged by someone you couldn't bring charges unsuccessfully or else you would receive the punishment you were trying to get imposed upon the other guy.

So this group of "experts of the Law" became popular. They would take your case (for a fee) and either defend you or help advocate for your cause in front of the judges or Sanhidrin.

Jesus "as one having authority" spoke as a top level Rabbi. Meaning that he could judicate cases. (One guy did try to get an inheritance case heard by him).

Of course the "Scribes" would do a bit of judge shopping and work all the angles possible. These guys were also adept in Midrash...which is debating/discussing the finer points of the Law and how to win their positions. Jesus' commentary on the Law absolutely confounded them because they were looking for what they could prove and heart condition and attitude are very difficult to prove.

Thanks. Excellent info.

So if “The Law” drilled down The 10 Commandments into 613 (or more) detailed Jewish Law and the Midrash drilled down these 613 in even further details/interpretations as applicable to the nation of Israel over the centuries and Jesus was/is the authority of all (original and correct interpretation), then His statements below should carry great Authority, right:

And he said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”​

Matthew 22:37-40 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew 22:37-40&version=LEB

And for an example of how this plays out; As I recall, Adultery was one of the ten and thus many of the 613 addresses this particular sin.
So this statement has His Authority:

And when they persisted in asking him, straightening up he said to them, “The one of you without sin, let him throw the first stone at her!”​

John 8:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=John 8:7&version=LEB

 

[for_his_glory]

The ten major sections of the Sermon on the Mount are as follows and taught to a mixed crowd of Jews and Gentiles
1. The Beatitudes (5:3-12) The blessed rewards of living as a citizen of Christ's kingdom
2. The lesson of salt and light (5:13-16) The effects of Christians living on the word
3. True righteousness (5:17-48) The deeper meaning of the law of God
4. Practice without hypocrisy (6:1-18) The right motives of giving, praying and fasting
5. The Christian's concerns (6:19-34) Serving God with singleness of purpose and putting the concerns of His kingdom first are actions that free us from anxiety over lesser things.
6. Warning against judgement (7:1-6) The dangers of judging others harshly and carelessly
7. Invitation to prayer (7:7-12) The blessings and privileges of prayer
8. The two ways (7:13, 14) Choose the narrow way, bot the broad way that leads to destruction
9. A tree and its fruit (7:15-20) By their fruits you will know them
10. The importance of deeds (7:21-29) To obey God is far better than talking about your obedience

 

[PeterJens]

The sermon on the mount is speaking one simple truth.
From the heart to everything one does there needs to be consistency where love flows.

Jesus starts in religious language and goals, poverty, need, sadness, meekness, purity,
righteousness, peace making. He then works this through to how we deal with enemies,
anger, lust, giving, prayer, judgements, wisdom, love, worry. These realities apply to everyone in
every situation. Though he is teaching the disciples and those who would listen, this is words
of life and the Kingdom. To not put this into practise is to not know Him, and He will reject all
those who fail to follow.

Such all encompassing language cannot apply just to His audience but to everyone who desires
to follow the King.

Every lesson given is worked out from the old testament and also in the letters of the apostles.

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

Amazing post PJ
Thank you for sharing /\

 

[Runner]

Mahatma Gandhi was one of thousands across the globe who were deeply moved and inspired by the The Sermon on the mount.
Did the sermon on the mount teachings then apply to non Christian also ?
Could they be saved if they obeyed what Christ taught ?

Ditto for the great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace, et al.) He had been in the depths of suicidal despair before encountering the Sermon On the Mount. He regarded it as absolutely the blueprint for human society (in contrast to the Russian Orthodox Church of his era, which he detested). His many writings on Christianity are among the most profound you will find, even though he surprisingly rejected all supernatural aspects of Christianity, such as the Resurrection, as hogwash.

 

[Butch5]

The Sermon on the mount is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking found in the New Testament, and has been one of the most widely quoted elements of the Canonical Gospels. It includes some of the best known teachings of Jesus, such as the Beatitudes, and the widely recited Lord's Prayer. The Sermon on the Mount is generally considered to contain the central tenets of Christian discipleship.
(Wikipedia)

Matthew 5:
1Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.

2And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: ESV

and Matthew 7 ends:

28And when Jesus finished these sayings, the CROWDS were astonished at his teaching, 29for he was TEACHING THEM as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. ESV

Matthew 8:1 tells us :
"When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him"

It appears from all the above verses that Christ was teaching a mixed crowd. Not just His disciples.
Mahatma Gandhi was one of thousands across the globe who were deeply moved and inspired by the The Sermon on the mount.
Did the sermon on the mount teachings then apply to non Christian also ?
Could they be saved if they obeyed what Christ taught ?

He was addressing His disciples. However, it seems that a crowd had gathered around to hear what He was saying.

 

[dirtfarmer]

dirtfarmer here

I would like for someone to explain how the "sermon on the mount" can be applied to the "Church" when it's(the Church) foundation stone had not yet been laid. The "church" is established on the resurrected Christ. The debt of sin had not yet been paid while Christ was still alive on earth and had not applied his blood to the altar in heaven.

 

[Butch5]

dirtfarmer here

I would like for someone to explain how the "sermon on the mount" can be applied to the "Church" when it's(the Church) foundation stone had not yet been laid. The "church" is established on the resurrected Christ. The debt of sin had not yet been paid while Christ was still alive on earth and had not applied his blood to the altar in heaven.

Because Jesus told the disciples to and make disciples, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you.

19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matt. 28:19-20 NKJ)

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

He was addressing His disciples. However, it seems that a crowd had gathered around to hear what He was saying.

So He , being creator of all humanity was addressing them as well.... Everyone

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

Ditto for the great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (War and Peace, et al.) He had been in the depths of suicidal despair before encountering the Sermon On the Mount. He regarded it as absolutely the blueprint for human society (in contrast to the Russian Orthodox Church of his era, which he detested). His many writings on Christianity are among the most profound you will find, even though he surprisingly rejected all supernatural aspects of Christianity, such as the Resurrection, as hogwash.

Yes I agree . Sermon on the mount was one of the greatest teaching in the world . I believe it was addressed to all humanity and not just few disciples . And people like Gandhi , Tolstoy ( as you mentioned) and millions of humans across the globe we're inspired by it it's most amazing . Jesus was not merely teaching Christians how to be (attitude),BUT plainly telling us what will get us in heaven, and what will not . I believe many contemporary church teachers watered it down to "beatitudes"
If I've learned anything from the Word, it's that Unless we do the Will of God versus our will, we are not going to enter heaven , no matter how hard we scream " I believe I believe " ( Matthew 7:21)

 

[JLB]

dirtfarmer here

I would like for someone to explain how the "sermon on the mount" can be applied to the "Church" when it's(the Church) foundation stone had not yet been laid. The "church" is established on the resurrected Christ. The debt of sin had not yet been paid while Christ was still alive on earth and had not applied his blood to the altar in heaven.

The Church, The ecclesia, the Holy nation, began with Abraham, as he was in covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ, before He became flesh, and walked with Him, obeying His voice, and keeping His commandments, leaving for us an example of those who walk by faith.


And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Genesis 26:4-5

• because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

JLB

 

[Rajesh Sahu]

The Church, The ecclesia, the Holy nation, began with Abraham, as he was in covenant with the Lord Jesus Christ, before He became flesh, and walked with Him, obeying His voice, and keeping His commandments, leaving for us an example of those who walk by faith.


And I will make your descendants multiply as the stars of heaven; I will give to your descendants all these lands; and in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed; 5 because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.” Genesis 26:4-5

• because Abraham obeyed My voice and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws.”

JLB

I am simply amazed at your profound biblical knowledge and grasp brother JLB. I learn more from you than the pastors and teachers I've come across

 

[chessman]

Jesus was not merely teaching Christians how to be (attitude),BUT plainly telling us what will get us in heaven, and what will not .

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs.​

Matthew 5:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=Matthew 5:3&version=DLNT

Notice how plain Jesus’s teaching is:

Because the kingdom of the heavens IS theirs already (not will be but IS) His disciples are poor in spirit and are blessed (not will be).