The Beatitudes are statements made by Jesus Christ in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. There are debates over the number of beatitudes and their interpretations. The term “bliss” comes from the Latin “beatus,” meaning blessed. The Beatitudes praise those who are poor, mournful, hungry for righteousness, persecuted, meek, merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. Some scholars cross-reference them with Old Testament Scripture. There is also discussion of a ninth beatitude for those persecuted for their faith in Jesus.
The Beatitudes are statements made by Jesus Christ, as recorded in part by the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. Luke’s list of beatitudes is shorter and attributes the statements to the Sermon on the Plain. Matthew’s account is taken from the Sermon on the Mount and is a larger list of the words said to have been spoken by Christ. The term bliss comes from the Latin beatus, which translates as blessed. Even non-Christians may be familiar with the list Jesus gives that begins with “Blessed are…” This is also sometimes translated as “Happy are…”
Some debate whether there are eight or nine beatitudes, and most biblical scholars conclude that not all of the work in these sermons was completely original. The idea that the meek will inherit the earth is present in Psalm 37, verse 11: “But the meek will inherit the earth, and they will enjoy great peace.” Other beatitudes can be cross-referenced with Old Testament Scripture.
There are so many interpretations of the Beatitudes that there is no clear and all-encompassing interpretation that would satisfy every sect of Christianity, and some non-Christians have occasionally seen them as a means of indoctrinating people into suffering in this life, and as such, by enslaving them. This is certainly a Marxist view, and it was also expressed by Nietzsche. Some believe that initially, by praising what seemed difficult, mild, humble, or peaceful, Christ’s attempt was to shock the public, to displace them from the perspective that the best things to attain in life were the worldly things. The verses still annoy some to come up with adequate interpretations, though certainly numerous theologians have repeatedly tried and are well satisfied with their understanding of these verses.
In Matthew, the following is a summary of the beatitudes listed. Blessed are:
The poor (or poor in spirit), theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mourners (those who mourn) will be consoled (or laughed at).
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (or the hungry), will be satisfied (or satiated).
People persecuted for righteousness, (or followers of the Sons of Man), theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
The meek will inherit the earth.
The merciful will obtain mercy.
The pure in heart will see God.
Peacemakers will be called children of God.
The first four of these are listed in both Luke and Matthew and the second four exist only in Matthew. There is also discussion of a ninth beatitude, which exists in both Matthew and Luke. These are again Jesus’ words when he says that people who are falsely accused, hated, or persecuted because of their faith in Jesus will have a great heavenly reward.
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