Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Matthew 5
Charles Spurgeon Commentary
Matthew 5
Commentary Groups
This author has written multiple commentaries over their lifetime on this chapter. We have grouped their commentaries for easier reading."And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:" — Matthew 5:1 (ASV)
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain:
For convenience, and quietude, and to be out of the way of traffic, he went up into a mountain. Elevated doctrines would seem most at home on the high places of the earth.
And when he was set,
For that was the mode of Eastern teaching,
His disciples came unto him:
They made the inner ring around him, and others gathered around them.
"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:" — Matthew 5:1 (ASV)
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
You notice that the Preacher sat down, and that his disciples stood around him. If you find it somewhat warm and trying tonight, remember that you have the best of it, for you sit while the speaker stands. Concerning our Lord, we read: When he was set, his disciples came unto him: –
"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying," — Matthew 5:1-2 (ASV)
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
Our Saviour soon gathered a congregation. The multitudes perceived in him a love to them, and a willingness to impart blessing to them, and therefore they gathered about him. He chose the mountain and the open air for the delivery of this great discourse, and we should be glad to find such a place for our assemblies; but in this variable climate we cannot often do so. And when he was set.
The Preacher sat, and the people stood. We might make a helpful change if we were sometimes to adopt a similar plan now. I am afraid that ease of posture may contribute to the creation of slumber of heart in the hearers. There Christ sat, and his disciples came unto him. They formed the inner circle that was ever nearest to him, and to them he imparted his choicest secrets, but he also spoke to the multitude. Therefore, it is said that he opened his mouth, as well he might when there were such great truths to proceed from it, and so vast a crowd to hear them: He opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him:" — Matthew 5:1 (ASV)
For retreat, fresh air, and wide space, the King seeks the hillside. It was suitable that such elevated ethics should be taught from a mountain. A natural hill suited His truthful teaching better than a pulpit of marble would have done.
Those who desired to follow Him as disciples gathered closely about the seated Rabbi, who occupied the throne of instruction in their midst; and then in outer circles the multitudes stood to listen.
"and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying," — Matthew 5:2 (ASV)
Even when His mouth was closed He was teaching by His life, yet He did not withhold the testimony of His lips. Earnest men, when they address their fellows, neither mumble, nor stumble, but speak distinctly, opening their mouths.
When Jesus opens His mouth, let us open our ears and hearts.
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