Paragraph 6:20–23

Some people call verses 6:20–23 “The Beatitudes.” “Beatitudes” means “Blessings.” Some Beatitudes are also in Matthew 5:3–12.

Jesus spoke in general terms about God’s kingdom and God’s values. When he addressed the people as “you(plur),” he was making general statements. He did not mean that everyone in the crowd was poor, hungry, or weeping. Nor did he mean that every person who is poor will enjoy the blessings of God’s kingdom.

Use the form that is natural in your language for general statements that are true. Your language may prefer to use a different pronoun. For example:

You(sing) are blessed
-or-
They/People are blessed
-or-
He is blessed
-or-
Blessed are those (God’s Word)

6:20a

Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Looking up at His disciples is literally “And he having lifted up his eyes on his disciples.” This is an idiom. It means that Jesus focused his attention on his disciples. He spoke mainly to them because he wanted to teach them about being true disciples.

Some other ways to translate this are:

Then Jesus turned to his disciples and said (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say (New American Standard Bible)

6:20b

Blessed are you: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Blessed describes a person who is in a good situation. In the Bible, the good situation results from God showing favor/kindness to the person.

Some other ways to translate this word are:

Joyful/desirable is your situation
-or-
How good it is for you
-or-
You are favored/fortunate

This word does not primarily refer to a feeling. However, a person in this good situation will frequently have good feelings such as happiness and joy. Do not use a word that only refers to material prosperity or physical health.

In 6:20–23, Jesus says that people who are poor, who are hungry, who weep, and who are mistreated because they follow him are actually in a very favorable situation. They are in this situation now even though that is not how it seems. This is because they are citizens of God’s kingdom and will certainly receive the future rewards that belong to God’s citizens.

The word Blessed contrasts with the word translated as “woe” in 6:24.

See bless, Meaning 3, in the Glossary.

In the Greek text, the word Blessed is emphasized. It is the first word in the sentence. Consider how it would be natural to show this emphasis in your language.

who are poor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as poor refers mainly to people who do not have food or other things that they need, such as clothing or shelter. It sometimes also includes people who lack money, education, or status that they need. The word “poor” is also used in the Old Testament for people who know that they are dependent on God.

Some Bible scholars have interpreted this word in both a literal and a spiritual/figurative way. If you have a word that could be interpreted either way, it may be appropriate here.

6:20c

for: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as for introduces the reason why the “poor” are blessed. They are blessed because the kingdom of God belongs to them. For example:

because the kingdom of God belongs to you (New Century Version)

In some languages, no conjunction is necessary here. For example:

…the Kingdom of God is yours! (Good News Translation)

yours is the kingdom of God: The phrase yours is the kingdom of God means that they are citizens of God’s kingdom. They enjoy all the benefits and blessings that go with it. This phrase does not mean that they own the kingdom of God.

The verb here is in the present form. Having God’s favor makes people rich whenever they have it. That is true in the present, not only in the future. Some ways to translate this are:

you have a share/part in the kingdom of God
-or-
you are citizens/subjects of God’s kingdom
-or-
you are included in God’s kingdom

kingdom of God: The phrase kingdom of God refers to God’s activity of ruling and caring for his people as their king. It does not refer to a land or country that he rules over. It refers to the relationship that he has with his people. He leads, protects, and cares for them. They obey, trust, and submit to him as their king.

Some ways to translate this are:

• As a noun. For example:

God’s rule/reign
-or-
God’s kingship
-or-
God’s chieftaincy
-or-
God’s government

• As a verbal expression:

the way God rules his people
-or-
the way God cares for his people as king

See kingdom of God, Context 2, in the Glossary.

General Comment on 6:20b–c

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of 6:20b–c. For example:

20bYou who are poor, 20cthe kingdom of God belongs to you, 20b⌊so⌋ you are blessed.

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