Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's often missed is that Jesus isn't just talking about feeling bad for someone's troubles; the original Greek word emphasizes active compassion that drives you to do something about it. It's about allowing another's suffering to stir your heart so deeply that you're moved to alleviate it, whether through practical help or forgiveness.
Jesus is presenting the core characteristics of his followers, the citizens of his Kingdom, in a radical counter-cultural way. These aren't just suggestions, but the very definition of what it means to be blessed by God. He moves from inward character (mourning, meekness) to outward action and disposition towards others, establishing a pattern for how disciples are to live in the world.
When Jesus says 'merciful,' what does he really mean? It's not just a passive feeling, but an active, engaged response to suffering.
The word Jesus uses, 'merciful,' points to a deep, active compassion. It's about being so moved by another's suffering that you're compelled to act. This isn't just feeling bad for someone; it's feeling with them and doing something about it.
Think of it like this:
Jesus ties receiving mercy directly to giving it. Why is this connection so crucial in God's economy?
This beatitude reveals a profound principle of God's kingdom: a 'mercy exchange.' What we extend to others, we can expect to receive back from God.
Here's how it works:
Understand the original words
eleēmōn · Greek Adjective
Showing active compassion, forgiveness, and kindness to those in need or those who have caused offense, reflecting the character of God.
eleeō · Greek Verb
The outward manifestation of pity and compassion that results in the relief of suffering or the withholding of deserved punishment.
This passage directly echoes Jesus' teaching, stating 'Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful,' showing the intimate connection between showing mercy and God's own character.
The parable of the unforgiving servant powerfully illustrates this principle, revealing that just as we forgive others, God will deal with us, highlighting the severe consequences of withholding mercy.
This verse explicitly states that 'mercy triumphs over judgment,' reinforcing the idea that showing mercy in this life is a pathway to receiving mercy from God when we face His judgment.
Proverbs 19:17This proverb clearly states, 'Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him,' aligning with the idea that acts of mercy, especially towards the needy, have a divine reward.
Matthew 25:31-46In the imagery of the final judgment, Jesus shows that compassion shown to the least of these (feeding the hungry, clothing the naked) is seen as compassion shown to Him, directly linking merciful actions to receiving God's eternal blessing.
bensonMatthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
Matthew 5:7 . Blessed [or happy ] are the merciful — The tender-hearted, compassionate, kind, and beneficent, who, being inwardly affected with the infirmities, necessities, and miseries of their fellow-creatures, and feeling them as their own, with tender sympathy endeavour, as they have ability, to relieve them; and who, not confining their efforts to the communicating of temporal relief to the needy and wretched, labour al…
cambridgeMatthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy."
7 . they shall obtain mercy ] This principle in the divine Government that men shall be dealt with as they deal with their fellow-men is taught in the parable of the Unmerciful Servant, ch. 18, and underlies the fifth petition in the Lord’s Prayer, ch. Matthew 6:12 .
What's often missed is that Jesus isn't just talking about feeling bad for someone's troubles; the original Greek word emphasizes active compassion that drives you to do something about it. It's about allowing another's suffering to stir your heart so deeply that you're moved to alleviate it, whether through practical help or forgiveness.
Jesus is presenting the core characteristics of his followers, the citizens of his Kingdom, in a radical counter-cultural way. These aren't just suggestions, but the very definition of what it means to be blessed by God. He moves from inward character (mourning, meekness) to outward action and disposition towards others, establishing a pattern for how disciples are to live in the world.
Jesus is presenting the core characteristics of his followers, the citizens of his Kingdom, in a radical counter-cultural way. These aren't just suggestions, but the very definition of what it means to be blessed by God. He moves from inward character (mourning, meekness) to outward action and disposition towards others, establishing a pattern for how disciples are to live in the world.
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"“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." — What's often missed is that Jesus isn't just talking about feeling bad for someone's troubles; the original Greek word emphasizes active compassion that drives you to do something about it. It's ab…