Bible Literacy 4: Sermon on the Mount Quiz

Answer: yes

The Gospel of Matthew is divided into five sermons by Jesus. The first sermon is found in Matthew 5-7, known colloquially as the Sermon on the Mount. The sermon was supposed to be for the disciples, but, as it was when Jesus went anywhere, a crowd gathered around Him and the disciples.

Answer: Blessed

Jesus started his Sermon on the Mount with eight teachings that began with the word blessed. These eight teachings are known as the Beatitudes. The word beatitude comes from the Latin word "beatitudo".

Answer: Those who are meek

Jesus wanted the crowd of people to know that meekness was not a sign of weakness. Jesus considered meekness to be higher than worldly power.

Answer: Those who are peacemakers

Jesus wanted the crowd of people to know that warriors could be strong and powerful, but it took even greater strength and power to bring peace. Jesus wanted people to know that those who spread the word that about Him and His father are considered to peacemakers.

In Monty Python's "Life of Brian", Jesus saying 'Blessed are the peacemakers' was misinterpreted by those in the back of the crowd as Jesus saying 'Blessed are the cheesemakers'.

Answer: Salt

Salt was used in Biblical times to keep food from decaying. In covenants, salt was used to demonstrate the unbreakable bond between the two groups in the covenant. Whereas salt symbolized goodness, salt was also used to make fertile ground barren by sprinkling it on the ground. Israelites took their salt mostly from the Dead Sea, which contained a high concentration of salt.

When Jesus told the crowd during his Sermon the Mount that He considers them to be the salt of the earth, He was telling the people and His disciples that He wanted them to influence those around them just as salt savors an entire meal.

Answer: They will be trampled

Jesus told the crowd and His disciples that the pearls would be trampled and the pigs would turn against them. Jesus wanted to make sure the crowds knew that it was useless to try to teach people about God if they didn't want to listen.

Answer: Walk two miles

In the day of Jesus, Roman soldiers would pull citizens out of crowds in order for the citizens to carry the gear of the Roman soldier. Jesus told the crowd if the Roman soldiers told the citizens to walk a mile in their place, the citizens should walk two or more miles.

Answer: True

Jesus divided the Sermon on the Mount into several parts. While speaking about Heavenly treasures, Jesus told the crowd that they could not serve God and money at the same time.

Answer: They would be judged

Because God created the world and man, He is the ultimate judge. Jesus wasn't put on this earth to judge people, but to save them from their sins. In Matthew 7:1, Jesus was reminding the crowd and His disciples that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

Answer: True

Just like the non-believers, the foolish man built his house on sand and it fell under severe weather conditions. Just like the believers, the wise man built his house on rock and under severe weather conditions the house was secure. Believers are secure in knowing that when they die, they will go to Heaven. Non-believers are on shaky ground because they do not know what will happen upon their death.