Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 5:8

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." — Matthew 5:8 (ASV)

“Pure [GK 2754] in heart” has two interrelated meanings. It means inner moral purity as opposed to merely external piety (cf. Dt 10:16; 1 Samuel 15:22; Psalms 24:3–4; Matthew 23:25–28); it also means singlemindedness, a heart free from deceit.

It is impossible to have one characteristic without the other. The one who is singleminded in commitment to the kingdom and its righteousness (6:33) will also be inwardly pure. Inward sham, deceit, and moral filth cannot coexist with sincere devotion to Christ. Either way, this beatitude excoriates hypocrisy . The pure in heart will “see God”—now with the eyes of faith and finally in the dazzling brilliance of the beatific vision (cf. Hebrews 12:14; Revelation 21:22–27).