Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 5:2

"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.

And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, –

Perhaps someone says, "He could not have taught them without opening his mouth." I have found that a great many try to teach without opening their mouths; but the earnest preacher speaks with all his might. So did Jesus in the open air on the mountain side: He opened his mouth, and taught them. Such grand things as he had to say ought to come from open portals, so he did not mumble, but opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,–

And he opened his mouth, and taught them,

Chrysostom says that he taught them even when he did not open his mouth; his very silence was instructive. But when he did open his mouth, what streams of wisdom flowed forth! He taught them.

He did not open his mouth to make an oration. He was a Teacher, so his aim was to teach those who came to him; and his ministers best follow their Lord's example when they keep to the vein of teaching.

The pulpit is not the place for the display of oratory and eloquence, but for real instruction: He opened his mouth, and taught them,.