The Sermon on the Mount is one of the most well-known teachings of Jesus. In it, Jesus offered timeless wisdom and guidance for how we live our lives as his followers. This sermon has been immortalized as a collection of teachings in the book of Matthew, and it covers everything from how we treat others to the foundation of a life built on faith. But if you're new to the Sermon on the Mount or trying to get a gauge of what it says, what are the most important verses?
Let’s take a look at seven of the most important Sermon on the Mount verses and how they impact our lives today.
The top 7 Sermon on the Mount verses
1. Matthew 5:3
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs."
This verse kicks off what we refer to today as the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are blessings that tell us what it means to be blessed by God – and they’re not what you might think. Jesus turned the world’s values upside down, declaring that the humble, not the proud, are the ones who inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. These verses teach us to rely on God, not on earthly markers for success.
2. Matthew 5:14
"You are the light of the world – like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden."
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus calls his followers up to be a light in a dark world. Followers of Christ should strive to reflect God's love to make others curious and attract them to a life of faith. Believing is important, but that’s just one step. Ultimately, we’re called to live in a way that shines for others to see.
3. Matthew 5:44
"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!"
The command to love our enemies is probably one of the most challenging commands Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount. It doesn’t take much effort to love the people we like - the ones who treat us well, who align with our values, who are similar to us. But Jesus calls us to go beyond the bare minimum and show radical love to everyone – even those who are especially hard to love. When we love like this, we reflect God’s grace for us, which knows no limits.
4. Matthew 6:9-13
"Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy…"
This passage, known by many as the Lord’s Prayer, is one of the most well-known parts of the Sermon on the Mount text. In it, Jesus walks us through how to pray in a way that shows both reverence for and trust in God. The Lord’s Prayer is a simple but powerful framework for how we can talk to God every day.
5. Matthew 6:19-20
"Don’t store up treasures here on earth... Store your treasures in heaven."
Our culture often centers itself around material success – good looks, a well-paying job, expensive cars, the works. But Jesus reminds us that true wealth can't be found in material goods, but in a life lived for God’s kingdom. These sermon on the mount verses challenge us to take an honest look at our priorities.
6. Matthew 6:33
"Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need."
This verse reminds us to trust God completely with our needs. When we choose to put God above everything else in our lives, all the things we worry over tend to fall into place. This truth invites us to have confidence in God's control.
7. Matthew 7:12
“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets."
Did you know the Golden Rule came from the Sermon on the Mount? If you were to summarize Jesus’ lifelong teachings, this verse could do the job. Jesus calls us to have empathy and compassion, to treat others with the kind of care and consideration we’d like to receive. Despite its simplicity, this verse is a strong guide for how to live out our faith by treating others well.
Live like Jesus
The Sermon on the Mount is full of hard-hitting truths that challenge us to step into the calling God has for our lives. These verses give us a glimpse into the heart of Jesus and how we can become more like him each day. As you reflect on the Sermon on the Mount text, reflect on how you can live more like Jesus.
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Ready to dive into the full Sermon on the Mount? Check out this Bible Reading Plan which will take you on a guided journey through Jesus’ famous words.
Jesus also had a lot to say about wisdom – take a look.
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