And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
English Standard Version (ESV)
This seemingly simple phrase, "he opened his mouth," is a significant Hebrew idiom, signaling that Jesus is about to deliver a weighty and deliberate message, not just casual words. It emphasizes the solemnity and purpose behind this foundational teaching for his kingdom.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
English Standard Version (ESV)
After climbing a mountain, Jesus sat down and his disciples gathered around him, along with the multitudes who had followed him. This sets the stage for the start of his most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount, where he would lay out the core principles of life in God's kingdom. The phrase "opened his mouth" signals a deliberate and solemn beginning to this foundational teaching.
Why does Matthew mention Jesus 'opening his mouth'?
This isn't just a casual start to a conversation. In the biblical world, 'opening the mouth' was a way to signal that something significant and intentional was about to be said. It's like a fanfare before a royal decree.
Who was Jesus actually talking to?
While the crowds were present and amazed, Jesus's primary audience here was His disciples. This isn't just a public address; it's discipleship training.
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Understand the original words
anoigō to stoma · Greek Verb phrase
A Semitic idiom used to introduce a formal, solemn, or divinely inspired pronouncement or teaching.
didaskō · Greek Verb
The act of providing instruction, explaining Scripture, or imparting the truths of God's kingdom to others.
The phrase "opened his mouth" is a Hebraic idiom signifying a deliberate and solemn declaration, highlighting the intentional and authoritative nature of Jesus' teaching, particularly as he lays out the foundational principles of the Kingdom of Heaven.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Following his baptism and temptation, Jesus began his public ministry in Galilee, gathering disciples and attracting large crowds with his teachings and miracles.
c. AD 28
Jesus Teaches on the Mount
Jesus ascends a mountain in Galilee to deliver his most famous sermon, known as the Sermon on the Mount, laying out the core principles of his kingdom.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Ministry Culminates in Jerusalem
Jesus' ministry reaches its peak as he enters Jerusalem, teaching in the Temple and confronting religious authorities, leading to his crucifixion and resurrection.
This Old Testament passage prophesies the coming of the Spirit of the Lord upon the chosen one to preach good news to the poor, much like Jesus begins his teaching ministry by addressing the 'poor in spirit'.
Psalm 78:2This Psalm speaks of opening a mouth to speak parables and hidden things, directly paralleling the 'opened his mouth and taught' phrasing in Matthew and highlighting the authoritative, divinely-inspired nature of Jesus' teaching.
Acts 10:34Peter uses the phrase 'opened his mouth' when declaring God shows no favoritism, indicating this is a formula for a significant, divinely-ordained declaration, just as Jesus begins his foundational sermon.
Luke 6:20This parallel passage describes Jesus looking at his disciples and beginning to teach them, emphasizing that the Sermon on the Mount was primarily directed at his followers, even with the crowds present.
pulpitMatthew 5:2: "And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,"
Verse 2. - And he opened his mouth. Frequent in the Old Testament; e.g. Job 3:1. A Hebraism, indicating that the words spoken are not the utterance of chance, but of set will and purpose. In the Gospels (in this sense) only Matthew 13:35 (from Psalm 78:2, LXX.); also in Acts 8:35 (Philip); 10:34 (Peter); 18:14 (Paul); Revelation 13:6 (the beast); cf. 2 Corinthians 6. II, of perfect frankness of expression, and Ephesians 6:19, perh…
meyerMatthew 5:2: "And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,"
Matthew 5:2 . Ἀνοίγειν τὸ στόμα ] after פָּתַח פֶּה ; Vorstius, de Hebraismis, p. 703 ff. Individual instances also amongst classical writers; Aristophanes, Av. 1720; Aeschylus, Prom. 612; Lucian. Philops. 33. This phrase belongs to the distinctly descriptive style of narrative, and denotes of itself nothing else than the opening of the mouth to speak, where the connection alone indicates whether in this descriptive element the em…
This seemingly simple phrase, "he opened his mouth," is a significant Hebrew idiom, signaling that Jesus is about to deliver a weighty and deliberate message, not just casual words. It emphasizes the solemnity and purpose behind this foundational teaching for his kingdom.
After climbing a mountain, Jesus sat down and his disciples gathered around him, along with the multitudes who had followed him. This sets the stage for the start of his most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount, where he would lay out the core principles of life in God's kingdom. The phrase "opened his mouth" signals a deliberate and solemn beginning to this foundational teaching.
After climbing a mountain, Jesus sat down and his disciples gathered around him, along with the multitudes who had followed him. This sets the stage for the start of his most famous discourse, the Sermon on the Mount, where he would lay out the core principles of life in God's kingdom. The phrase "opened his mouth" signals a deliberate and solemn beginning to this foundational teaching.
"And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:" — This seemingly simple phrase, "he opened his mouth," is a significant Hebrew idiom, signaling that Jesus is about to deliver a weighty and deliberate message, not just casual words. It emphasizes the…
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Last reviewed October 2026