Matthew 5:4
What does Matthew 5:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:4 means
This beatitude speaks of a blessedness for those who mourn. This mourning is not a general sorrow, but often a godly grief over sin—their own sin and the brokenness of the world, which is a key characteristic of the "poor in spirit." This sorrow, rooted in spiritual sensitivity, is promised comfort. This comfort comes from God Himself, through His forgiveness, His presence, and the ultimate hope of a world where all sorrow will be banished through Christ's redemption.
Matthew 5:4 in context
Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes
Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.
- Kingdom ethics
- Inner righteousness
- True blessedness
- Light and salt
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Happy the mourning--because they shall be comforted.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Context
Continuing the Beatitudes, this verse expands on the character of the blessed, linking mourning with spiritual comfort. It flows naturally from being "poor in spirit," as recognizing one's spiritual need often leads to a godly sorrow. This promise of comfort serves as an encouragement within the demanding ethical framework Jesus is unveiling.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 69:29
But I am poor and sorrowful: Let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.
- Isaiah 51:11
And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
- Isaiah 61:2
to proclaim the year of Jehovah’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
- Ezekiel 7:16
But those of them that escape shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them moaning, every one in his iniquity.
- 2 Corinthians 1:4
who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
- Psalms 30:7
Thou, Jehovah, of thy favor hadst made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide thy face; I was troubled.
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:4
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:4 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:4 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:4 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:4 teaches us about light and salt
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