GOSPEL READING
THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Chapter 5: Overview
Following our overview of the whole Sermon on the Mount, we now come to an overview of chapter 5.
We saw in the overview that the main body of the Sermon is bracketed by the two statements about the law and the prophets (5,17 and 7,12).
As a result, following the setting in 5,1-2, the first part of the chapter, 5,3-16, forms the introduction to the Sermon. Consider though how the change of pronouns during these verses affects our reading.
Now look at 5,17-48 and note how it forms one teaching with an introduction, two parts and a conclusion. Consider how the introduction to the Sermon, 5,3-16, prepares for this teaching and the statement in 5,20.
Then see how the chapter is read in the Sunday Gospels. What is important about this?
With that in mind, we will draw up a reading plan for this chapter.
Look at my response.
We are now ready to being our reading of Sermon with the first part of the chapter, the setting of the scene followed by the introduction, Mt 5,1-16.