Blessed are the merciful
The term "blessed" in this context refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity, often associated with divine favor. The merciful are those who show compassion and forgiveness to others, reflecting God's own nature. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, mercy was a valued virtue, but often limited to one's own community or kin. Jesus expands this concept, urging His followers to extend mercy universally. This aligns with Old Testament teachings, such as in Micah 6:8, which emphasizes doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. The merciful are those who actively seek to alleviate the suffering of others, embodying the love and compassion that Jesus Himself demonstrated throughout His ministry.

for they will be shown mercy
This phrase promises a reciprocal relationship between showing mercy and receiving it. It reflects the principle found in the Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). The promise of receiving mercy is both a present and future reality, indicating that those who practice mercy will experience God's mercy in their lives now and in the final judgment. This concept is rooted in the character of God, who is described as merciful and gracious throughout Scripture (Exodus 34:6). The ultimate expression of God's mercy is found in Jesus Christ, who through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offers forgiveness and reconciliation to humanity. This beatitude encourages believers to emulate Christ's example, fostering a community marked by grace and compassion.

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker of the Beatitudes, including Matthew 5:7, delivering the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples and the gathered crowd.

2. Disciples
The primary audience of Jesus' teachings, representing those who follow Him and seek to live according to His teachings.

3. The Sermon on the Mount
A significant event in the New Testament where Jesus delivers a series of teachings, including the Beatitudes, which outline the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.Understanding Mercy
The Greek word for "merciful" is "ele?m?n," which implies compassion and active kindness towards others. Mercy involves both an attitude of the heart and tangible actions.

The Blessing of Mercy
Those who show mercy are blessed because they reflect God's character and will receive mercy in return. This reciprocal nature of mercy is a divine principle.

Living Out Mercy
Christians are called to practice mercy in their daily lives, extending forgiveness, compassion, and kindness to others, even when it is difficult.

Mercy as a Kingdom Value
Mercy is a core value of the Kingdom of Heaven, and living mercifully is a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel in a believer's life.

Mercy and Justice
While justice is important, mercy tempers justice with compassion. Believers are encouraged to balance these attributes in their interactions with others.(7) The merciful.--The thought is the same as that afterwards embodied in the Lord's Prayer. They who are pitiful towards men their brethren are ipso facto the objects of the divine pity. The negative aspect of the same truth is presented in James 2:13. In this case, the promised blessing tends to perpetuate and strengthen the grace which is thus rewarded. No motive to mercy is so constraining as the feeling that we ourselves needed it and have found it.

Verse 7. - Our Lord here turns more directly to the character of his followers in relation to men; and in the next three Beatitudes mentions particulars which might be suggested by the sixth, seventh, and ninth commandments. The merciful (οἱ ἐλεήμονες). The mercy referred to here is not so much the almost negative quality which the word usually suggests to us (not dealing harshly, not inflicting punishment when due, sparing an animal or a fellow-man some unnecessary labour), as active kindness to the destitute and to any who are in trouble (cf. Matthew 9:27; Matthew 15:22; Matthew 17:15; Mark 5:19). As compared with οἰκτίρμονες (Luke 6:36), it seems to lay more stress on the feeling of pity showing itself in action and not only existing in thought. To this statement of our Lord's, that they who show mercy to those in need shall themselves be the objects of mercy (i.e. from God) in their time of need, many parallels have been adduced, e.g., by Wetstein. Rabbi Gamaliel (? the second, circa A.D. ), as reported by Rabbi Judah (circa A.D. ), says (Talm. Bab., 'Sabb.,' 151 b), on Deuteronomy 13:18, "Every one that showeth mercy to others, they show mercy to him from heaven, and every one that showeth not mercy to others, they show him not mercy from heaven;" cf. also ' Test. XII. Patr.:' Zab., § 8, "In proportion as a man has compassion (σπλαγχνίζεται) on his neighbour, so has the Lord upon him;" and, probably with reference to this passage, Clem. Rom., § 13, ἐλεᾶτε ἵνα ἐλεηθῆτε. (For the converse, cf. James 2:13.) Calvin remarks, "Hoc etiam paradoxon cum humano judicio pugnat. Mundus reputat beatos, qui malorum alienorum securi quieti suae consulunt: Christus autem hic beatos dicit, qui non modo ferendis propriis malis parati sunt, sed aliena etiam in se suscipiunt, ut miseris succurrant."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Blessed [are]
Μακάριοι (Makarioi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3107: Happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off.

the
οἱ (hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

merciful,
ἐλεήμονες (eleēmones)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1655: Full of pity, merciful, compassionate. From eleeo; compassionate.

for
Ὅτι (Hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

they
αὐτοὶ (autoi)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

will be shown mercy.
ἐλεηθήσονται (eleēthēsontai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1653: To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall (Matt. Mat Mt)