Why does the Sermon on the Mount contain such difficult teachings?

Quick Answer: Why does the Sermon on the Mount contain such difficult teachings? The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is often presented as a beautiful passage to inspire spiritual growth in the believer. However, the reality is that in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells His audience to cut off their hands, to pluck out their eyes, and to be perfect like God. In addition, He tells them that looking with lust equals adultery and that anger is the same as murder. Finally, Jesus tells His audience to get right with others before offering their animal sacrifices and that they’ll be answerable to the Sanhedrin – a Jewish council from two thousand years ago. Clearly, there’s a context of Judaism that must be factored into understanding the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is purposely introducing a perfect and impossible standard (the true spirit of the Law) in order to expose the spiritual slavery and hypocrisy of His Jewish audience. With this in mind, the Sermon on the Mount is not a sweet passage for Christian growth, but instead it serves as “nails in the coffin” of anyone who thinks they can keep the true standard of the Jewish law.

Diving Deeper: While many look to the Sermon on the Mount as the gold standard for Christian living, Jesus makes it clear that His sermon is actually an expansion on the Law (Matthew 5:19).

In the sermon, Jesus tells His audience to cut off their hands and to pluck out their eyes in their fight against sin. In so doing, He is revealing their lack of commitment and the true standard of dedication required to defeat sin in their current state.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30)

Notice that Jesus also speaks of Hell here, whereas believers are not in danger of Hell.

Furthermore, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus reveals that looking with lust equals adultery and that anger is equal to murder. He tells His audience that their righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees and that they must be perfect like God (Matthew 5:48).

Interestingly, Jesus informs His audience that they must get right with others before offering their animal sacrifices on the altar. However, New Testament believers do not offer animal sacrifices on altars. The cross of Christ replaced all altars for us, and there are no altars today. Jesus also informs His hearers that if they do not comply with this level of obedience, they will be answerable to the Sanhedrin – a Jewish council from two thousand years ago. Once again, believers today have no relationship to the Sanhedrin and are not accountable to them in any way.

Clearly, there’s a context of Judaism that needs to be considered when interpreting the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus purposely introduces the perfect and impossible standard of the Law in order to expose the hypocrisy of His Jewish audience and their addiction to sin.

In conclusion, the Sermon on the Mount was never intended as an encouraging passage to inspire spiritual growth. Instead, it serves as “nails in the coffin” of anyone who believes they can obey the Law. It is only when we see the true and impossible standard of the Law that we realize our desperate need for God’s grace.

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. What have you been taught about the Sermon on the Mount?
2. Review Matthew 5. Where do you see Jesus referencing the Law and raising the bar?
3. Can you see why the standard presented in this sermon is actually impossible? Why or why not?
4. Review Matthew 5. Where do you see Jesus specifically addressing a Jewish audience?
5. Review Matthew 5. Where do you see Jesus threatening punishment in Hell?
6. React to this statement: Jesus’ audience had to see the true spirit of the Law in order to realize their need for God’s grace.