Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 5:6

"Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." — Matthew 5:6 (ASV)

“Hunger and thirst” vividly expresses desire (cf. Pss 42:2; 63:1). It is best to take “righteousness” (GK 1466) here as simultaneously personal righteousness and justice in the broadest sense. These people desire not only that they may wholly do God’s will from the heart, but also that justice may be done everywhere. All unrighteousness grieves them and makes them homesick for the new heaven and earth—the home of righteousness (2 Peter 3:13). What they taste now whets their appetites for more. Ultimately they will be satisfied without qualification only when the kingdom is consummated.