Prior to this remarkable three-chapter sermon, Jesus faced and defeated the tempter, chose His first four disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John, and began His ministry of teaching and healing throughout Galilee. (Matthew 4)

 

Then in Matthew chapters 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount is presented to a wide audience, consisting of both Jesus’ disciples and the crowds who had been following, and had gathered to listen to Him teach. The context and details of the audience can be understood through the wording and structure of the passage. Let’s review this in detail, focusing on the beginning of the sermon as presented in Matthew chapter five.

 

The Setting of the Sermon

 

“Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.” (Matthew 5:1)

 

This sets the scene for who was present:

• The crowds: The text explicitly mentions that Jesus saw the crowds, which were large groups of people who had been following Him. This suggests a varied audience—those curious about His miracles and teachings, or perhaps seeking healing or deliverance. The “crowds” likely included people from different walks of life, ranging from the poor and marginalized to religious individuals hoping to understand Jesus’ message.

• The disciples: The disciples are singled out as those who specifically came to Jesus when He sat down to teach. While the crowds were present, it was the disciples who were most likely to engage directly with Jesus and receive His teachings in a more focused way. The term “disciples” refers to those who had already decided to follow Jesus, not just the Twelve Apostles, but a larger group of people who were committed to His way of life and learning.

 

Jesus’ Teaching to the Disciples

 

The text indicates that Jesus began teaching His disciples, though the crowds were also present to hear His words. This suggests that the Sermon on the Mount is addressed primarily to the disciples, but the crowds were also able to overhear and benefit from the teachings. The sermon begins with the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which are insightful statements about the nature of the Kingdom of God, often radical and countercultural to the expectations of both the religious leaders and the general population.

 

Who Were the Crowds?

 

The crowds who followed Jesus were not just limited to those who were closely aligned with Him but included a mix of different types of people:

• The Jewish People: Many in the crowd were likely Jews, living under Roman occupation, who had heard about Jesus’ miracles and teachings. They would have been familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures, including messianic prophecies, and were often hoping for a political or military Messiah to free them from Roman rule.

• The Sick and Marginalized: According to earlier passages in Matthew 4:24-25, people came from various regions, bringing the sick, those with diseases, and those oppressed by demons. Jesus had been healing and casting out spirits, which drew large numbers of people who needed physical or spiritual healing.

• Gentiles: People from the Decapolis, a region of ten cities with a predominantly Gentile population, were also present (Matthew 4:25). Jesus’ message was starting to attract Gentiles as well, signaling the growing reach of His ministry beyond Jewish circles.

• Religious Seekers: The crowds may have also included Jews who were interested in the Kingdom of God but had not yet committed to Jesus as the Messiah. They would have been seeking answers to questions about righteousness, the Law, and the future hope of Israel.

The Broader Implication for the Jewish Community

 

Though Jesus addresses His disciples directly, the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount also challenge the broader Jewish community, especially the religious leaders like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who were present at many of His teachings. Jesus often critiques their interpretation of the Law and calls for a deeper, heart-level righteousness, not merely an outward, legalistic observance.

 

For example:

• In Matthew 5:20, Jesus says, “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” This would have been a shocking statement to His Jewish audience, especially the Pharisees, who were known for their strict adherence to the Law. Clearly, they thought they had it all figured out.

• Matthew 5:21-48 further clarifies that true righteousness is not just about external actions but about the attitudes of the heart, challenging the traditional interpretations of the Law and calling for love, forgiveness, and purity in ways that went beyond the letter of the Law.

 

The Themes of the Sermon

 

The themes of the Sermon on the Mount are relevant to both the disciples and the wider crowd:

• The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) describe the characteristics of those who are part of the Kingdom of God, highlighting humility, mercy, purity, and a desire for righteousness. These are qualities that would have resonated particularly with the oppressed and marginalized in society, as well as those longing for a deeper spiritual life.

• Instructions on Loving Others (Matthew 5:43-48): Jesus calls His followers to love even their enemies, which would have been a radical message in a time of Roman oppression and nationalistic fervor.

• True Righteousness (Matthew 5:17-20, 6:1-18): Jesus teaches about a righteousness that surpasses mere legalism, focusing on inner transformation and relationship with God, rather than outward displays of religious observance.

• Warnings about Hypocrisy (Matthew 6:1-18): These teachings would challenge both the religious leaders and the crowd to examine their motives for practicing religion, emphasizing sincerity over showmanship.

 

The Audience and the Kingdom of God

 

At its core, the Sermon on the Mount presents the ethics of the Kingdom of God. While it is aimed at Jesus’ disciples who are called to live out these values, the crowds also hear this call, as it lays the groundwork for what the Kingdom of God looks like in practice. For the disciples, this sermon is a guide to how they should live as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom on earth. For the crowds, it’s an invitation to consider what it means to be part of God’s Kingdom, challenging their ideas about power, righteousness, and justice.

 

In Summary

 

In Matthew 5:1-2, the Sermon on the Mount is presented to:

• Jesus’ disciples: These individuals had already committed to following Him, and the sermon was primarily aimed at teaching them the principles of the Kingdom of God.

• The crowds: A large, diverse group, including people from different regions and cultures—Jews, Gentiles, the sick, poor, and others. Though not the primary focus, the crowds also heard Jesus’ teachings, and His words would challenge their perception of the Messiah and the nature of true righteousness.

 

Thus, the sermon serves both as instruction for those already following Jesus and a proclamation of God’s Kingdom to those who are willing to listen, and of course, do. 

 

May our Lord Jesus Christ be praised and honored and glorified by all that we say, all that we think, and all that we do.

 

H.K. Holevinsky