“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The surprise here is that Jesus blesses those who mourn. This isn't just sadness over loss, but a deep grief, often over sin and its consequences, that is so profound it can't be hidden and will ultimately be met with a comfort far greater than the sorrow.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is beginning his monumental Sermon on the Mount, laying out the core principles of his kingdom. He's starting with a series of "blessings" that turn worldly values upside down, focusing on internal attitudes rather than outward success. This beatitude about mourning follows directly after Jesus declares the "poor in spirit" blessed, suggesting a deep connection between recognizing our spiritual emptiness and the resulting grief.
What kind of mourning makes you blessed? Jesus highlights a specific kind of grief that leads to ultimate comfort.
When Jesus says, “Blessed are those who mourn,” he's not just talking about any sadness.
Godly Sorrow
The primary focus here is on godly sorrow – a deep grief over sin, both our own and the brokenness of the world. This isn't a shallow regret, but a profound ache that recognizes the offense against God and the damage sin causes.
Broader Grief
However, this doesn't exclude mourning over suffering, loss, or distress. The gospel offers true comfort to all who are hurting, but the blessedness is especially tied to acknowledging our spiritual poverty and sinfulness, which are the root of so much human suffering. It’s a mourning that aligns with God’s heart.
If you're in a season of deep grief, Jesus offers a profound promise: you will be comforted. But what does that comfort look like?
The second half of the verse, 'for they shall be comforted,' is not a small detail; it's the powerful promise that makes the mourning blessed.
Divine Intervention
This comfort isn't just a temporary emotional fix. It's a deep, spiritual consolation that comes from God. It speaks to the presence of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who sustains us.
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Future Fulfillment
While we can experience glimpses of this comfort now – through forgiveness, peace, and the support of God's people – the full realization awaits. It points to a future where all tears are wiped away and all sorrow ceases in God's kingdom.
Understand the original words
pentheō · Greek Verb
To experience deep sorrow or grief, specifically godly sorrow over personal sin or the fallen state of the world.
parakaleō · Greek Verb
To be called alongside for help, consolation, or encouragement; to receive God's peace and strength in the midst of sorrow.
This passage from Isaiah directly speaks of a time when God's Spirit would comfort those who mourn, aligning with Jesus' promise of comfort to those who grieve.
Luke 2:25Simeon is described as waiting for the 'consolation of Israel,' showing that mourning and the longing for divine comfort were present themes before Jesus' ministry.
2 Corinthians 7:10Paul distinguishes between godly sorrow, which leads to repentance and salvation, and worldly sorrow, which leads to death, helping us understand the specific kind of mourning Jesus blesses.
John 16:20Jesus tells his disciples that 'you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice,' promising that their sorrow will turn into joy, directly echoing the 'mourn/comforted' beatitude.
Revelation 21:4This future vision of God dwelling with humanity paints a picture of ultimate comfort, where 'he will wipe away every tear from their eyes,' fulfilling the promise made to those who mourn.
vincentMatthew 5:4: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
They that mourn (πενθοῦντες)Signifying grief manifested; too deep for concealment. Hence it is often joined with κλαίειν, to weep audibly (Mark 16:10; James 4:9).Shall be comfortedSee on John 14:16.
cambridgeMatthew 5:4: "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
4 . mourn ] Those who mourn for sin are primarily intended; but the secondary meaning, “those who are in suffering and distress,” is not excluded. The first meaning is illustrated by 2 Corinthians 7:10 , “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of, but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
The surprise here is that Jesus blesses those who mourn. This isn't just sadness over loss, but a deep grief, often over sin and its consequences, that is so profound it can't be hidden and will ultimately be met with a comfort far greater than the sorrow.
Jesus is beginning his monumental Sermon on the Mount, laying out the core principles of his kingdom. He's starting with a series of "blessings" that turn worldly values upside down, focusing on internal attitudes rather than outward success. This beatitude about mourning follows directly after Jesus declares the "poor in spirit" blessed, suggesting a deep connection between recognizing our spiritual emptiness and the resulting grief.
Jesus is beginning his monumental Sermon on the Mount, laying out the core principles of his kingdom. He's starting with a series of "blessings" that turn worldly values upside down, focusing on internal attitudes rather than outward success. This beatitude about mourning follows directly after Jesus declares the "poor in spirit" blessed, suggesting a deep connection between recognizing our spiritual emptiness and the resulting grief.
"“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." — The surprise here is that Jesus blesses those who mourn. This isn't just sadness over loss, but a deep grief, often over sin and its consequences, that is so profound it can't be hidden and will ul…
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Last reviewed October 2026