a5:9
bLev 26:6
c1 Sam 16:4-5
dIsa 9:5-6
eZech 8:16
fEph 2:14
gCol 1:20
hMatt 5:43-47
iLuke 10:5-6

‏ Matthew 5:9

5:9  a This beatitude probably targeted zealots—Jewish revolutionaries who advocated the overthrow of Roman domination through violent resistance. The Messiah’s Kingdom would be established by other means.

• those who work for peace: Jesus is not calling for pacifism per se, but rather a different kind of activism.

• Peace is the absence of enmity and the presence of God’s salvation (Lev 26:6  b; 1 Sam 16:4-5  c; Isa 9:5-6  d; Zech 8:16  e; Eph 2:14  f; Col 1:20  g). Jesus’ disciples are to work for justice, righteousness, reconciliation, and mercy as the effects of God’s salvation through Christ (Matt 5:43-47  h; Luke 10:5-6  i).
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