Mat 5:3 | TNotes | STEP | 5:3 poor and realize their need for him (literally poor in spirit ; cp. Luke 6:20 , 24 ): In the Old Testament, the poor are often depicted as especially pious because oppression by the wealthy leads them to trust in the Lord for salvation and deliverance rather than relying on the power of wealth (Matt 11:5 ; Pss 37:14-15 ; 40:17 ; 69:28-33 ; Isa 61:1 ; 66:2 ). In both Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts, the “poor” are indeed physically poor, but their trust in God, not their poverty, is what makes them blessed (Isa 57:15 ; 66:2 ).

a5:3►

bLuke 6:20►

c24►

dMatt 11:5►

ePss 37:14-15►

f40:17►

g69:28-33►

hIsa 61:1►

i66:2►

jIsa 57:15►

k66:2►

‏ Matthew 5:3

5:3 ^a poor and realize their need for him (literally poor in spirit; cp. Luke 6:20 ^b, 24 ^c): In the Old Testament, the poor are often depicted as especially pious because oppression by the wealthy leads them to trust in the Lord for salvation and deliverance rather than relying on the power of wealth (Matt 11:5 ^d; Pss 37:14-15 ^e; 40:17 ^f; 69:28-33 ^g; Isa 61:1 ^h; 66:2 ⁱ). In both Matthew’s and Luke’s accounts, the “poor” are indeed physically poor, but their trust in God, not their poverty, is what makes them blessed (Isa 57:15 ^j; 66:2 ^k).