Where is the Sermon on the Mount located in the Bible?+
The Sermon on the Mount is found in Matthew 5-7 of the New Testament. It is Jesus's first major teaching in Matthew's Gospel, delivered early in His ministry to His disciples and the crowds on a mountainside. Luke's Gospel contains a similar but shorter version called the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49).
What are the Beatitudes, and how many are there?+
The Beatitudes are the opening statements of the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:3-12, where Jesus pronounces blessings on those with certain spiritual qualities (poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungry for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted). There are eight distinct Beatitudes in Matthew's account, each beginning with 'Blessed are those who...'
What is the literary structure or theme of the Sermon on the Mount?+
The Sermon on the Mount follows a logical progression: it begins with the Beatitudes (spiritual characteristics), moves through salt and light metaphors (Christian influence), reinterprets the Law with deeper spiritual meaning (Matthew 5:17-48), addresses religious practices (almsgiving, prayer, fasting in Matthew 6:1-18), teaches about material concerns and trust (Matthew 6:19-34), and concludes with practical instructions on judging, prayer persistence, and the foundation of obedience (Matthew 7:1-29). The overall theme emphasizes the internalization of righteousness and the priority of God's kingdom.