Sermon on the Mount - Part 6 [Notes]

October 18th, 2026

In the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7, we find arguably the most famous sermon of all time, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. Covering subjects like the beatitudes, being salt and light, the Lord’s prayer, generosity, and more, Jesus’ words are just as important and applicable today as they were 2,000 years ago. Whether you’re exploring the Christian faith, a new or newer believer, or a longtime follower of Jesus, we invite you to join us for this 12-week journey as we seek to grow together as His disciples.

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
– Matthew 5:38-44 (HCSB)

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer.
– Matthew 5:38-39a (HCSB)

If there is an injury, then you must give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, bruise for bruise, wound for wound.
– Exodus 21:23-24 (HCSB)

This law of retribution—designed to take vengeance out of the hands of private persons, and commit it to the magistrate—was abused in the opposite way to the commandments of the Decalogue...
– A.R. Fausset and R. Jamieson,

Don’t say, “I’ll do to him what he did to me; I’ll repay the man for what he has done.”
– Proverbs 24:29 (HCSB)

Don’t say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the Lord, and He will rescue you.
– Proverbs 20:22 (HCSB)

Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness, for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
– John 1:16-17 (HCSB)

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer.
– Matthew 5:38-39a (HCSB)

if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. – Matthew 5:39b
As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. – Matthew 5:40
And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two. – Matthew 5:41

“[Malice is a] desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness.

For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in His steps. He did not commit sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth; when He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He was suffering, He did not threaten but entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly.
– 1 Peter 2:21-23 (HCSB)

It is the preparedness, after one indignity, not to invite but to submit meekly to another, without retaliation, which this strong language is meant to convey
– A.R. Fausset and R. Jamiesong

Then Pilate questioned Him again, “Are You not answering anything? Look how many things they are accusing You of!” But Jesus still did not answer anything, so Pilate was amazed.
– Mark 15:4-5 (HCSB)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone. Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for His wrath. For it is written: Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord. But If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For in so doing you will be heaping fiery coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.
– Romans 12:17-21 (HCSB)

“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you
– Matthew 5:43-44

“Your enemies” are personal enemies who are defined in the parallel command as “those persecuting you,” hating and trying to do you injury.
– R.C. Lenski

As they were going out, they found a Cyrenian man named Simon. They forced this man to carry His cross.
– Matthew 27:32 (HCSB)

Give to the one who asks you, and don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
– Matthew 5:42 (HCSB)

We are not to resist—as we understand it—the evil that is in the world…

As we encounter it in violent offenders;
As we encounter it in litigious accusers;
As we encounter it in intrusive applicants for favors, or else slavish instruments of superior powers;
As we encounter it in beggars and borrowers.

– J.P.Lange

The law of love is not intended to throw open the floodgates to unrestrained cruelty and crime.
– R.C. Lenski

Christ never told me not to restrain the murderer’s hand, not to check the thief and robber, not to oppose the tyrant, or by my gifts to foster shiftlessness, dishonesty, and greed
– R.C. Lenski

I gave My back to those who beat Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spitting.
– Isaiah 50:6 (HCSB)

The Lord God will help Me; therefore I have not been humiliated; therefore I have set My face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame. The One who vindicates Me is near…
– Isaiah 50:7-8a (HCSB)

For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason. For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong.
– Romans 13:4 (HCSB)

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Posted in sermon on the mount, Jesus, love your enemies, relationships