Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Matthew 5:4
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This isn't just about feeling sad; Jesus is highlighting a specific kind of deep grief – a sorrow that manifests itself, too profound to hide. This isn't the fleeting sadness of the world, but a profound mourning, often over sin and its devastating effects, that will ultimately find its deepest fulfillment in divine comfort.
Jesus is beginning his famous Sermon on the Mount, laying out the values and character of God's kingdom. This beatitude follows the declaration that those who are "poor in spirit" are blessed, and it expands on the kind of inner disposition that characterizes kingdom citizens. The focus is on a deep, soul-level grief that seeks comfort, not mere superficial sadness.
We often think of 'blessed' as happiness, but Jesus starts this teaching with 'blessed are those who mourn.' What kind of mourning is this, and why is it a path to blessing?
The primary focus here is on mourning over sin – your own sin, and perhaps the sin you see in the world. This isn't a shallow regret, but a deep, heartfelt sorrow that acknowledges the offense against God.
Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow
Jesus is saying that recognizing your brokenness and sinfulness, and mourning over it, is a sign that God is at work in you. It's an openness to His Spirit that allows for true healing.
If mourning over sin is the starting point, what is the promised outcome? And is this comfort something we find, or something that is given?
The promise for those who mourn is that 'they shall be comforted.' This isn't just a pat on the back or a temporary fix. This comfort is divine intervention, a deep-seated peace and restoration that only God can provide.
The Source of True Comfort
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 directly speaks of the 'year of the Lord's favor' where God would comfort those who mourn, echoing Jesus' promise in Matthew 5:4.
Luke 4:18Quoting Isaiah 61:1, Jesus declares His mission is to 'bind up the brokenhearted' and 'comfort all who mourn,' directly aligning with the beatitude in Matthew 5:4.
2 Corinthians 7:10This verse contrasts 'godly sorrow' (which leads to repentance and salvation) with 'worldly sorrow' (which leads to death), helping to clarify that the mourning Jesus blesses is of a spiritual, life-giving nature.
John 16:20Jesus tells His disciples their future sorrow will be turned into joy, directly linking the experience of mourning with the promise of future comfort and gladness.
Revelation 21:4This future vision of God dwelling with humanity promises that 'He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,' offering the ultimate picture of the comfort promised 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.”
This isn't just about feeling sad; Jesus is highlighting a specific kind of deep grief – a sorrow that manifests itself, too profound to hide. This isn't the fleeting sadness of the world, but a profound mourning, often over sin and its devastating effects, that will ultimately find its deepest fulfillment in divine comfort.
Jesus is beginning his famous Sermon on the Mount, laying out the values and character of God's kingdom. This beatitude follows the declaration that those who are "poor in spirit" are blessed, and it expands on the kind of inner disposition that characterizes kingdom citizens. The focus is on a deep, soul-level grief that seeks comfort, not mere superficial sadness.
Jesus is beginning his famous Sermon on the Mount, laying out the values and character of God's kingdom. This beatitude follows the declaration that those who are "poor in spirit" are blessed, and it expands on the kind of inner disposition that characterizes kingdom citizens. The focus is on a deep, soul-level grief that seeks comfort, not mere superficial sadness.
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This comfort isn't about avoiding pain, but about being upheld and restored by God's presence through the pain.
"“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." — This isn't just about feeling sad; Jesus is highlighting a specific kind of deep grief – a sorrow that manifests itself, too profound to hide. This isn't the fleeting sadness of the world, but a prof…