Matthew 5:1

Seeing the multitudes. The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:1 to 8:1 = Luke 6:17-49) was probably delivered in late summer of A.D. 29, about midway through Jesus' three and one-half years of ministry. Luke connects the Sermon with the appointment and ordination of the Twelve (Luke 6:12-20), preserving the sequence: (1) night spent in prayer, (2) ordination of the Twelve, (3) descent to the plain, (4) the sermon. Luke omits mention that Jesus “went up [again] into a mountain” (Matt. 5:1), leading some to think the sermons in Matthew and Luke were different occasions.

Matthew does not mention the appointment of the Twelve here but refers to them later (Matt. 10:1-5). The appointment responded to the need for more trained workers to care for the crowds following Jesus. The Twelve were the charter citizens of the kingdom of divine grace, with Christ as King. On the day the Twelve were appointed, Jesus gave His inaugural address, setting forth the conditions of citizenship, the law of the kingdom, and its objectives. The Sermon on the Mount is both Christ’s inaugural address as King and the constitution of the kingdom.

The mountain on which Jesus delivered the sermon is not known. The traditional site, Kum Hattin near Tiberias, dates only from the Crusades and is unreliable. The mountain is called the “Sinai of the New Testament” because it parallels Mt. Sinai’s role for Israel. Jesus reaffirmed the divine law, explaining its true meaning and applying it to daily life.

When He was set (seated). Jesus likely sat while teaching, in accordance with ancient custom (Matt. 13:1; 24:3; Mark 9:35). The multitude also sat on the grass.

His disciples included the Twelve and many others who followed Jesus, including women who ministered to the disciples (Luke 8:1-3). The audience was largely peasants and fishermen, with spies present (see ch. 4:12).