"The Sermon on the Mount"

Author Bio: Author- Matthew (lived during and after the lifetime of Jesus)- former Israeli tax collector on behalf of the Roman Empire, one of the twelve disciples and follower of Jesus of Nazareth. Credited as the author of the first book of the Gospels, Matthew.

Speaker- Jesus of Nazareth (ca. 3 BC- 30 CE) - Jewish religious leader and healer from Israel, central to the founding of Christianity. Known as Jesus Christ to followers, Jesus was known as the Messiah and Savior whose coming had been prophesied in the Old Testament of the Bible. His teachings are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Four Gospels which include Matthew (source of this text), Mark, Luke, and John.

Date/Context: This sermon was spoken sometime during the final three years of Jesus's lifetime (~30 CE), when the majority of his teachings and works were performed. During this time, Jesus traveled throughout the Israeli countryside, teaching to his disciples and followers. The Bible also reports that he preformed numerous miracles during this time as well, such as healing the sick. At this time, Israel and Judea were under Roman rule, with Herod Antipas ruling as king and Pontius Pilate as the prefect.

Summary: This sermon extols the values of peace, love, and forgiveness, while Jesus instructs his followers on how to live lives pleasing to God. He begins with what are commonly referred to as the Beatitudes, in which Jesus praises the virtues of humility, peace, purity, and obedience to God. He gives his followers hope for a better future in heaven in the face of persecution, and encourages them to live holy lives so that others will want to seek God because of their example. The disciples and Christians are given a high standard of morality to adhere to, including constant love and forgiveness towards others. He rejects the standard "eye for an eye" mentality of revenge, and encourages forgiveness towards enemies, even encouraging followers to pray for their enemies and love them just as God loves everyone. Humility and modesty are again stressed as Jesus encourages his disciples to pray privately in their homes instead of in public for public reward, and he details what is now known as The Lord's Prayer as a sample prayer to follow.

Key Quotation:
"You are like the light for the world. A city built on a high hill cannot be hid. Nobody lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on the lamp-stand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and give praise to your Father in heaven."