Within the
Kingdom message goes out
section (Matthew 4:12–7:29), a further subdivision can be made:1Early Galilean Ministry (Matthew 4:12–25)
First discourse: The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–7:29)
Setting (Matthew 5:1–2)
Introduction (Matthew 5:3–16)
Relationship of law to new covenant (Matthew 5:17–48)
Inward righteousness (Matthew 6:1–18)
Social ethics (Matthew 6:19–7:12)
The two paths (Matthew 7:13–27)
Conclusion: Jesus’ authority (Matthew 7:28–29)
In the introduction to his sermon (Matthew 5:1–16), Jesus has highlighted the pattern of life to which kingdom citizens ought to aspire. Belonging to God through faith in the King (Jesus), we must not expect blessing to be seen in present material prosperity. We must recognize our dependence on God and need for his mercy. Moving on into the body of the sermon, Jesus makes it clear from the start that he has come to fulfil what was previously revealed. When he interprets and applies God’s law in ways that are different from what God’s people are used to, he is not ignoring what was revealed but explaining what kingdom living will look like now that the Messiah has come (Matthew 5:17–20). A focus on kingdom living is then also the theme of Matthew 5:21–48 as Jesus expands on and explains six Old Testament legal texts, confirming that they all testify to the need for God’s people to pursue holiness/perfection as their Father is holy/perfect (Matthew 5:48).
Having taught from God’s law, Jesus goes on to address three aspects of basic Jewish piety that were central to Second Temple Judaism (Matthew 6:1–18).2 He explained how kingdom citizens ought to pursue righteous living for the sake of pleasing God and not winning the attention of people.3 He has also shown that this lifestyle is one in which possessions and money take a back seat (Matthew 6:19–24), and that we can trust the Father to look after us as we give ourselves in his service (Matthew 6:25–34).4 Finally, in Matthew 7:1–12, Jesus turned his attention to the topic of judgment within the covenant community.5
Having completed the body of his sermon, Jesus will now come to the conclusion. In this final section he removes any possibility of remaining neutral in response to his person and his teaching.6 He wants to encourage those who have heard him to commit and become his disciples, also to persevere in the life of discipleship that lies ahead of them.7 He challenges the Jewish belief that they were secure in God’s favour because of their genetic link with and descent from Abraham (Matthew 3:9).8
The final section itself is presented in the form of a Jewish dualism which contrasts the way of the wise with the way of the fool by means of three examples/warnings: the narrow and wide gate (Matthew 7:13–14), the false and true prophets (Matthew 7:15–23) and the wise and foolish builders (Matthew 7:24–27).9 Within this context, the false prophets are mentioned as those who endanger the journey of the disciples.10
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.