Episode Details

Re-air: originally released April 24, 2026.
Original episode: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/what-are-the-beatitudes-matthew-5-1-12-kjv-sermon-on-the-mount--71618237

What are the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12 (KJV)? Jesus saw the multitudes but taught His disciples the character of a kingdom that is not of this world.
Sermon on the Mount Pt 1, hosted by Matt Hepner and TopLobsta.

The start of the Sermon on the Mount study. Jesus saw the multitudes but taught His disciples, a remnant who would carry it to everyone as salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16). The disciples still asked, "wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6), which Matt compares to Christian nationalism today, but Jesus told Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36).

The Beatitudes describe the character of that kingdom's citizens, not a checklist, and "blessed" at its core means happy. After reading Matthew 5:1-12 the episode covers the first three: poor in spirit, they that mourn (James 4:4-10), and the meek, who know they are part of a bigger story. The examples are Abram letting Lot choose (Genesis 13:1-9), David sparing Saul (1 Samuel 24:1-7), and Moses, "very meek" (Numbers 12:3), pleading "blot me... out of thy book" (Exodus 32:32).

Questions answered
• Why did Jesus teach the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples and not the crowd? (0:00)
• Is the kingdom of God a political kingdom? (19:30)
• What does "blessed" mean in the Beatitudes? (23:19)
• What does "poor in spirit" mean? (28:50)
• Why are they that mourn blessed? (33:54)
• What does meek mean in the Bible? (44:05)
• Why is Moses called the meekest man on earth? (59:42)

Related Straight Bible studies
• Next, Pt 2: What Does Hunger and Thirst After Righteousness Mean? Matthew 5:6-8: https://youtu.be/KPpiNiEBv4M
• The full Sermon on the Mount study: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAQ3_IDPWdo9p_rDxwgSEaEuZ_UxOXO2J

Watch, listen and read
Watch the video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q-1mEdPY7w
Episodes: https://straightbible.org/episodes
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere podcasts are available.

Chapters
0:00 Why Jesus Taught His Disciples, Not the Crowd (Matthew 5, Verses 1-2)
3:07 What About Christian Nationalism?
8:53 Ye Are the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5, Verses 13-16)
9:41 Pearls Before Swine; Shake Off the Dust (Matthew 7, Verse 6; Matthew 10, Verse 14)
12:56 Wilt Thou Restore the Kingdom to Israel? (Acts 1, Verses 6-9)
19:30 My Kingdom Is Not of This World (John 18, Verses 33-38)
23:19 What Does "Blessed" Mean?
26:41 Reading the Beatitudes: Matthew 5, Verses 1-12 (KJV)
28:50 What Does Poor in Spirit Mean? (Matthew 5, Verse 3)
33:54 Blessed Are They That Mourn (Matthew 5, Verse 4)
36:49 Draw Nigh to God (James 4, Verses 4-10)
39:12 Things That Should Make Us Mourn (1 Corinthians 5, Verses 1-2)
44:05 What Does Meek Mean? (Matthew 5, Verse 5)
45:08 Abram Lets Lot Choose (Genesis 13, Verses 1-9)
49:56 David Spares Saul in the Cave (1 Samuel 24, Verses 1-7)
59:42 Moses Was Very Meek (Numbers 12, Verse 3)
1:00:26 The Golden Calf (Exodus 32)
1:15:17 Let No Man Take Thy Crown (Revelation 3, Verse 11)
1:25:57 When Joshua Heard the Noise (Exodus 32, Verse 17)
1:35:09 Blot Me Out of Thy Book (Exodus 32, Verse 32)

Which of the first three Beatitudes is h