Matthew 5:9
What does Matthew 5:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:9 means
Jesus blesses those who actively work to resolve conflict and establish harmony, both between individuals and within communities. Peacemakers are not merely passive lovers of peace, but those who actively intervene to bring reconciliation, reflecting God's own work of reconciling humanity to Himself through Christ. Their blessedness is seen in their identity: they "shall be called sons of God," demonstrating a family resemblance to their heavenly Father, the ultimate Peacemaker.
Matthew 5:9 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 the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Blessed the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons ofGod.
Context
Following the internal purity of heart, this Beatitude focuses on an active, outward demonstration of godly character: peacemaking. It naturally flows from the transformed heart described previously, showing how inner purity leads to positive external influence. This emphasis on relational harmony leads directly into the challenges faced by those who live out these Kingdom principles.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
- Luke 20:36
for neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
- 1 Corinthians 6:6
but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?
- Romans 14:1
But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples.
- Acts 7:26
And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
- 1 Chronicles 12:17
And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, my heart shall be knit unto you; but if ye be come to betray me to mine adversaries, seeing there is no wrong in my hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it.
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:9
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:9 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:9 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:9 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:9 teaches us about light and salt
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Matthew 5
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Matthew 5.
Devotionals
Devotional
Small Faith, Real Faith
A mustard seed is enough. Not a mountain of certainty — a seed of trust.
Devotional
The Weight We Were Not Built to Carry
Jesus does not promise the absence of burden. He offers an exchange.
Devotional
Consider the Lilies
Worry forgets that the same God who clothes the field clothes you.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About Adultery
Adultery, a grave sin against God and marriage, represents a betrayal of trust and a violation of sacred vows.
Topic
Bible Verses About Anger
The Bible addresses anger directly, offering wisdom on its destructive potential and how believers can manage it righteously.
Topic
Bible Verses About Broken Relationships
The Bible offers guidance and comfort for navigating the pain and challenges of broken relationships, emphasizing reconciliation, forgiveness, and God's love.
What the Bible says about…
Verses for this moment
Verses for
Bible Verses for Grief After Losing Someone You Love
When the room is empty — verses that grieve with you, not around you.
Verses for
Bible Verses for a Panic Attack at Night
Steady, slow verses to pray when your chest is tight and the house is dark.
Verses for
Bible Verses for Morning Work Anxiety
Start the workday from a steadier place — verses to pray with coffee.