Blessed are the mercifulThe term "blessed" in this context refers to a state of spiritual well-being and prosperity, often associated with divine favor. The merciful are those who show compassion and forgiveness to others, reflecting God's own nature. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, mercy was a valued virtue, but often limited to one's own community or kin. Jesus expands this concept, urging His followers to extend mercy universally. This aligns with Old Testament teachings, such as in
Micah 6:8, which emphasizes doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God. The merciful are those who actively seek to alleviate the suffering of others, embodying the love and compassion that Jesus Himself demonstrated throughout His ministry.
for they will be shown mercy
This phrase promises a reciprocal relationship between showing mercy and receiving it. It reflects the principle found in the Lord's Prayer, "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). The promise of receiving mercy is both a present and future reality, indicating that those who practice mercy will experience God's mercy in their lives now and in the final judgment. This concept is rooted in the character of God, who is described as merciful and gracious throughout Scripture (Exodus 34:6). The ultimate expression of God's mercy is found in Jesus Christ, who through His sacrificial death and resurrection, offers forgiveness and reconciliation to humanity. This beatitude encourages believers to emulate Christ's example, fostering a community marked by grace and compassion.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of the Beatitudes, including
Matthew 5:7, delivering the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples and the gathered crowd.
2.
DisciplesThe primary audience of Jesus' teachings, representing those who follow Him and seek to live according to His teachings.
3.
The Sermon on the MountA significant event in the New Testament where Jesus delivers a series of teachings, including the Beatitudes, which outline the values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Teaching Points
Understanding MercyThe Greek word for "merciful" is "ele?m?n," which implies compassion and active kindness towards others. Mercy involves both an attitude of the heart and tangible actions.
The Blessing of MercyThose who show mercy are blessed because they reflect God's character and will receive mercy in return. This reciprocal nature of mercy is a divine principle.
Living Out MercyChristians are called to practice mercy in their daily lives, extending forgiveness, compassion, and kindness to others, even when it is difficult.
Mercy as a Kingdom ValueMercy is a core value of the Kingdom of Heaven, and living mercifully is a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel in a believer's life.
Mercy and JusticeWhile justice is important, mercy tempers justice with compassion. Believers are encouraged to balance these attributes in their interactions with others.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Matthew 5:7?
2.How can we actively show mercy in our daily interactions with others?
3.What does "Blessed are the merciful" teach about God's expectations for believers?
4.How does Matthew 5:7 connect with the parable of the Good Samaritan?
5.In what ways can mercy lead to receiving mercy from God and others?
6.How can practicing mercy strengthen our relationship with Christ and the church community?
7.How does Matthew 5:7 define mercy in a Christian context?
8.What historical context influenced the message of Matthew 5:7?
9.How does Matthew 5:7 challenge modern views on justice and forgiveness?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Matthew 5?
11.Will I show mercy?
12.Will the merciful receive mercy?
13.What is the essence of mercy in giving?
14.What does 'rain on the just and unjust' mean?What Does Matthew 5:7 Mean
Blessed• Jesus opens with a word of divine approval: “Blessed.” This is the same promise-filled word He uses throughout the Beatitudes, assuring listeners that God’s favor rests on those who meet the condition He names.
•Psalm 1:1 reminds us, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked…”—showing that blessing flows from walking in God’s ways rather than the world’s.
•Psalm 32:1 echoes, “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered,” linking blessedness to a right relationship with God.
•James 1:12 adds, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life,” indicating that blessedness carries both present joy and future reward.
are the merciful• “Merciful” points to those who actively extend compassion rather than simply feeling it. Mercy moves toward the hurting, the guilty, and even the undeserving.
•Luke 10:33-34 paints the picture: the Samaritan “had compassion” and “bandaged his wounds,” turning empathy into action.
• Practical expressions of mercy can include:
– Forgiving offenses (Colossians 3:13, “Just as the Lord forgave you, so also you must forgive”)
– Meeting material needs (1 John 3:17, “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no compassion on him, how can the love of God abide in him?”)
– Offering gentle restoration to the fallen (Galatians 6:1)
– Speaking words that uplift rather than wound (Ephesians 4:29)
• Mercy is integral to the character of God Himself: “Because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5). Those who know that mercy personally are to mirror it to others.
for they will be shown mercy• The promise is clear: God will respond to a merciful heart with mercy. This is not earning salvation, but reflecting God’s heart and therefore receiving His favor.
•Matthew 6:14-15 ties the principle to forgiveness: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
• The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:32-35) warns that withholding mercy invites strict judgment. The king says, “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?”
•James 2:13 states the rule plainly: “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”
• Living mercifully brings tangible blessings even now—restored relationships, freedom from bitterness, and the joy of aligning with God’s compassionate nature—while also assuring believers of God’s gracious treatment in the final judgment.
summaryThe verse unfolds in three steps: God pronounces favor (“Blessed”), identifies the recipients (“the merciful”), and guarantees a matching response (“they will be shown mercy”). Those who have tasted God’s rich compassion are called to extend it, confident that He will lavish the same mercy back on them—now and forever.
(7)
The merciful.--The thought is the same as that afterwards embodied in the Lord's Prayer. They who are pitiful towards men their brethren are
ipso facto the objects of the divine pity. The negative aspect of the same truth is presented in
James 2:13. In this case, the promised blessing tends to perpetuate and strengthen the grace which is thus rewarded. No motive to mercy is so constraining as the feeling that we ourselves needed it and have found it.
Verse 7. - Our Lord here turns more directly to the character of his followers in relation to men; and in the next three Beatitudes mentions particulars which might be suggested by the sixth, seventh, and ninth commandments.
The merciful (
οἱἐλεήμονες). The mercy referred to here is not so much the almost negative quality which the word usually suggests to us (not dealing harshly, not inflicting punishment when due, sparing an animal or a fellow-man some unnecessary labour), as active kindness to the destitute and to any who are in trouble (cf.
Matthew 9:27;
Matthew 15:22;
Matthew 17:15;
Mark 5:19). As compared with
οἰκτίρμονες (
Luke 6:36), it seems to lay more stress on the feeling of pity showing itself in action and not only existing in thought. To this statement of our Lord's, that they who show mercy to those in need shall themselves be the objects of mercy (
i.e. from God) in their time of need, many parallels have been adduced,
e.g., by Wetstein. Rabbi Gamaliel (? the second, circa A.D. ), as reported by Rabbi Judah (circa A.D. ), says (Talm. Bab., 'Sabb.,' 151
b), on
Deuteronomy 13:18, "Every one that showeth mercy to others, they show mercy to him from heaven, and every one that showeth not mercy to others, they show him not mercy from heaven;" cf. also ' Test. XII. Patr.:' Zab., § 8, "In proportion as a man has compassion (
σπλαγχνίζεται) on his neighbour, so has the Lord upon him;" and, probably with reference to this passage, Clem. Rom., § 13,
ἐλεᾶτε ἵνα ἐλεηθῆτε. (For the converse, cf.
James 2:13.) Calvin remarks, "Hoc etiam paradoxon cum humano judicio pugnat. Mundus reputat beatos, qui malorum alienorum securi quieti suae consulunt: Christus autem hic beatos dicit, qui non modo ferendis propriis malis parati sunt, sed aliena etiam in se suscipiunt, ut miseris succurrant."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Blessed [are]Μακάριοι(Makarioi)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3107:Happy, blessed, to be envied. A prolonged form of the poetical makar; supremely blest; by extension, fortunate, well off.theοἱ(hoi)Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588:The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.merciful,ἐλεήμονες(eleēmones)Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 1655:Full of pity, merciful, compassionate. From eleeo; compassionate.forὍτι(Hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.theyαὐτοὶ(autoi)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846:He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.will be shown mercy.ἐλεηθήσονται(eleēthēsontai)Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1653:To pity, have mercy on. From eleos; to compassionate.
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NT Gospels: Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful for they shall (Matt. Mat Mt) 
