UTN uW Translation Notes:

Matthew 5 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

2. Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:28) * The Beatitudes (5:1–12) * Salt and light (5:13–16) * The law and righteousness (5:17–20) * Moses’ law and Jesus’ commands (5:21–48) * Murder and anger (5:21–26) * Adultery and divorce (5:27–32) * Oaths and promises (5:33–37) * Punishment and retaliation (5:38–42) * Loving everyone (5:43–48)Many people call the words in Matthew 5–7 the Sermon on the Mount. This is one long lesson that Jesus taught. Bibles divide this lesson into three chapters, but this can sometimes confuse the reader. If your translation divides the text into sections, be sure that the reader understands that the whole sermon is one large section.Matthew 5:3–10, known as the Beatitudes or Blessings, has been set farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. This way of placing the words on the page highlights the poetic form of this section.

Special Concepts in this Chapter

The “Beatitudes”

In 5:3–12, Jesus speaks nine blessings, or “Beatitudes.” He uses poetic form, repetition, and contrasting statements. Use forms in your language that people would recognize as poetry. See the notes on these verses for translation options.

“You have heard that it was said”

When Jesus quotes commands that his audience would be familiar with, he uses a phrase like “you have heard that it was said.” Usually when he uses this phrase, he is quoting or summarizing commands directly from the Old Testament law. However, in 5:43, he quotes a command from the Old Testament (“love your neighbor”) and then includes what some people would add to that command (“hate your enemy”). You may need to clarify that only the clause “love your neighbor” is from the Old Testament law. See the notes on each verse for information about what commands Jesus is quoting or summarizing.

Jesus and the law

Throughout this chapter, Jesus quotes commands that his audience would be familiar with. Then, he introduces his response to these commands with a phrase like “but I say to you.” In each case, Jesus is not contradicting or annulling the commands from God that he quotes. Instead, Jesus is correcting misunderstandings about what these commands mean. He wants his disciples to apply the commands properly. Use a form that indicates that Jesus is clarifying the commands, not contradicting them.

Important Figures of Speech in this Chapter

Salt metaphor

In 5:13, Jesus describes his disciples as if they were salt that seasons the world. He means that, just as salt preserves food and makes it taste better, so his disciples help save people in the world and make the world a better place. If possible, preserve the metaphor or express the idea in simile form. (See: figs-metaphor)

Light metaphor

In 5:14–16, Jesus describes his disciples as if they together were a lamp that gives light. He means specifically that their good deeds function together like a light that shines on other people, which allows these people to learn what is true and to praise God. If possible, preserve the metaphor or express the idea in simile form. (See: figs-metaphor)

Hyperbole

In 5:29–30, Jesus commands his disciples to cut off body parts that cause them to sin. He uses this extreme example of resisting sin in order to show his disciples how serious sin really is. He does not mean that believers should always cut off body parts when they sin. Jesus intends his commands to be shocking, however, so you should preserve the extreme language. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a form that indicates that Jesus’ commands are extreme language.

Other Possible Translation Difficulties in this Chapter

Singular and plural forms of “you”

In this chapter, Jesus is talking to a large crowd of his followers. Throughout the chapter, Jesus switches between using you in the singular and you in the plural while he is talking to the same people. When he uses the singular, he is speaking about specific situations that each person in the crowd might experience. When he uses the plural, he is speaking generally to the crowd as a whole. You should assume that Jesus is using plural forms of “you” unless a note specifies that the forms are singular. (See: figs-yousingular and figs-crowd)