Contents Preface ix Introduction: The Sermon on the Mount and the Christian Life 1 The Sermon on the Mount as the Norm of Discipleship 3 The Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain 5 The Sermon on the Mount within the Gospel of Matthew 9 The Structure and Theme of the Sermon on the Mount 12 The Text of the Sermon on the Mount 14 1 The Blessings of the Kingdom and the Nature of Discipleship 27 The Disciples and the Crowds (5:1-2 ) 28 The Disciples'' Assurance of Beatitude (5:3-12) 30 Blessed are the poor in spirit (5:3) 32 Blessed are those who mourn (5:4) 34 Blessed are the meek (5:5) 35 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (5:6) 37 Blessed are the merciful (5:7) 38 Blessed are the pure in heart (5:8) 40 Blessed are the peacemakers (5:9) 41 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness'' sake (5:10) 42 Blessed are you when people revile you (5:11-12) 43 The Disciples and World (5:13-16) 44 2 Living a More Abundant Righteousness 47 The Law and the Prophets Fulfilled (5:17-20) 47 The Six Antitheses (5:21-48) 50 Not even anger (5:21-26) 52 Not even the lustful look (5:27-30) 53 Faithfulness to one''s spouse (5:31-32) 55 Telling the truth at all times (5:33-37) 57 Overcoming evil through love (5:38-42) 60 Loving even the enemy (5:43-48) 62 3 Piety without Hypocrisy 67 The Danger of Hypocrisy (6:1) 70 Giving in Secret (6:2-4) 71 Praying in Secret (6:5-6) 73 How to Pray (6:7-15) 74 Fasting in Secret (6:16-18) 84 4 Single-Minded Devotion to God 86 Where Your Treasure Is (6:19-21) 88 If Your Eye Is Sound (6:22-23) 89 Only One Master (6:24) 91 Do Not Be Anxious (6:25-34) 92 Do Not Judge (7:1-5) 97 Protecting What Is Holy (7:6) 100 Asking with Confidence (7:7-11) 102 The Law and the Prophets (7:12) 104 5 The Need to Do Jesus'' Words 106 The Two Ways (7:13-14) 107 False Prophets (7:15-23) 109 Doers of the Word (7:24-26) 113 The Authority of Jesus'' Word (7:28-29) 115 For Further Reading 119.