Bible Dictionary
BEATITUDES
The Beatitudes are declarations of blessing spoken by Jesus, especially those opening the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 and appearing in a shorter form in Luke 6. They describe the character and circumstances of those who belong to God’s kingdom, together with the promises attached to them.
Biblical Usage
The Beatitudes teach that spiritual poverty, mourning, meekness, hunger for righteousness, mercy, purity, peacemaking, and persecution are joined with divine blessing. Matthew emphasizes spiritual qualities, while Luke emphasizes the disciples’ poverty and suffering. The blessing rests not on hardship by itself but on the promise associated with faithfulness to Christ.