Beatitudes
After a brief introduction the chapter contains the section known as the Beatitudes, which includes some of Jesus' more famous teachings. Gundry feels the Beatitudes are divided into two quartets. The first groups outlines the persecuted nature of Jesus' disciples, and the rewards they will receive for enduring this condition. The second four lists their righteous behaviour that led to their persecution. Most scholars feel the ninth Beatitude at Matthew 5:11 is separate from the first eight, as demonstrated by its shift to the second person. Four of the Beatitudes seem to be also in Luke, the rest are only found in Matthew.
The English word used to show the positive nature of the Beatitudes is blessed. A number of scholars note that this is not an ideal translation as in modern English blessed often means "blessed by God," a meaning not implied by the Greek. Albright and Mann use the more general word fortunate instead of blessed. France feels that it should be read as "worthy of congratulation." Lapide supports the New American Bible usage of happy; it directly translates the beatus of the Vulgate, and it carries the meaning of the Greek. After the Beatitudes there are a series of metaphors, called Salt and Light, that are often seen as commentaries upon them. These include a number of famous phrases such as salt of the earth and city on a hill.
Read more about this topic: Matthew 5