The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew: Jesus the New Moses and the New Torah
What is the Sermon on the Mount?
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7) is Jesus’ most famous teaching. Delivered on a mountainside, it presents a radical vision of life in God’s kingdom—marked by humility, mercy, righteousness, and love. It echoes Moses giving the law at Sinai, revealing Jesus as the New Moses who fulfills and deepens God’s commands.
Why is the Sermon on the Mount so Important?
The Sermon on the Mount is so important because it presents the core teachings of Jesus and outlines the values of God’s kingdom in a way that challenges both religious insiders and outsiders.
The Sermon on the Mount text is Matthew 5–7, and Jesus redefines righteousness—not as external rule-following but as inward transformation.
It addresses essential aspects of life: character (the Beatitudes), ethics (love for enemies, integrity, forgiveness), and spirituality (prayer, fasting, trust). By echoing Moses on Mount Sinai, Jesus positions himself as the New Moses, delivering a deeper law that fulfills the heart of the Torah. These teachings are not optional ideals—they are the foundation of what it means to follow Christ - discipleship.
The Setting: A Mountain, a Crowd, and a New Covenant
Where was the Sermon on the Mount? According to Matthew 5:1, Jesus “went up the mountain” and began to teach. While the exact location is traditionally identified near the Sea of Galilee, the theological meaning is much more significant.
Just as Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Law, Jesus goes up a mountain to give it. But he doesn’t relay commandments from heaven—he speaks on his own authority: “You have heard it said… but I say to you.” This act marks Jesus not only as a teacher but as a divine lawgiver, initiating a new covenant.
Matthew structures his Gospel to reflect five major teaching blocks—mirroring the five books of Moses. The Sermon on the Mount is the first of these and serves as the new Torah for kingdom living.
Sermon on the Mount Text and Commentary
Matthew 5:1–12 – The Beatitudes
Jesus begins with blessings—not for the powerful, but for the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, and those who mourn. These verses flip the world’s values upside-down and describe the character of those who belong to the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:13–16 – Salt and Light
Disciples aren’t only inwardly transformed; they’re outwardly influential. Jesus calls his followers to be salt (preserving goodness) and light (revealing truth). This moves discipleship from passive belief to active witness.
Matthew 5:17–48 – Fulfilling the Law, Not Abolishing It
Jesus declares he has come not to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. He then offers six examples (“antitheses”) where he intensifies the commands of Moses:
Anger becomes the root of murder
Lust becomes the root of adultery
Loving your enemies becomes the hallmark of divine love
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” – Matthew 5:48
Here, Jesus presents a new kind of righteousness—one that exceeds that of the Pharisees, not in rule-counting but in kingdom-rooted integrity.
Matthew 6 – True Religion: Giving, Praying, Fasting
In chapter 6, Jesus critiques performative religion. The key word is secret—the Father sees in secret. Generosity, prayer, and fasting must be sincere, not staged.
This section includes the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), a kingdom-centered model that puts God’s will and forgiveness at the core.
Matthew 6:19–34 – Trust and Treasure
“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Jesus contrasts heavenly treasure with earthly anxiety. He calls his followers to trust in God’s provision and seek first the kingdom.
Matthew 7 – Judging, Asking, Building
Chapter 7 includes well-known teachings like:
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged”
“Ask, and it will be given to you”
“Enter through the narrow gate”
“By their fruits you will know them”
It culminates with the parable of the wise and foolish builders—those who hear Jesus’ words and act on them are like a house built on rock (Matt. 7:24–27).
Why It Matters: Jesus the New Moses
The Sermon on the Mount reveals Jesus as the New Moses, giving a law that goes beyond external obedience to internal transformation. It’s not about abandoning Torah—it’s about fulfilling its deepest intent. Where Moses gave stone tablets, Jesus inscribes the law on hearts.
The crowd’s response says it all:
“He taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.” – Matthew 7:29
FAQ: The Sermon on the Mount
Where is the Sermon on the Mount in the Bible? What is the Sermon on the Mount text?
It appears in Matthew chapters 5–7.
What is the main message of the Sermon on the Mount?
It teaches the values of God’s kingdom: humility, mercy, integrity, forgiveness, and dependence on God.
Why did Jesus teach from a mountain?
To echo Moses and the giving of the Law at Sinai. It reinforces his role as the New Moses.
What are the Beatitudes?
The Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1–12) are blessings that describe the character and promises for those who live under God’s reign.
What is the structure of the Sermon on the Mount?
The sermon moves from blessings (5:1–12), to new commandments (5:13–48), to spiritual practices (6:1–18), to trust and priorities (6:19–34), and finally to judgment, discernment, and action (7).
