5:3 “Blessed 1 are the poor in spirit, 2 for the kingdom of heaven belongs 3 to them.
5:10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
1 sn The term Blessed introduces the first of several beatitudes promising blessing to those whom God cares for. They serve as an invitation to come into the grace God offers.
2 sn The poor in spirit is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See Ps 14:6; 22:24; 25:16; 34:6; 40:17; 69:29.
3 sn The present tense (belongs) here is significant. Jesus makes the kingdom and its blessings currently available. This phrase is unlike the others in the list with the possessive pronoun being emphasized.
4 tn Grk “teaches men” ( in a generic sense, people).
5 tn Or “that of the scribes.” See the note on the phrase “experts in the law” in 2:4.
6 sn See the note on Pharisees in 3:7.