Matthew 5 4

Matthew 5:4 kjv

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 nkjv

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 niv

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 esv

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Matthew 5:4 nlt

God blesses those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 4 Meaning

Matthew 5:4 declares that a distinct kind of profound sorrow brings divine favor and promises comfort. This "mourning" is not mere worldly sadness but often interpreted as a spiritual anguish arising from an awareness of one's own sinfulness, the brokenness of the world, and the unrighteousness present. It is a humble, godly sorrow that ultimately positions an individual to receive God's solace, forgiveness, and transformative peace, both in the present and in the glorious future kingdom.

Matthew 5 4 Context

Matthew 5:4 is the second of the Beatitudes in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). This foundational teaching describes the radical nature of Kingdom of God citizens. Immediately following "blessed are the poor in spirit" (Mt 5:3), this verse deepens the understanding of spiritual humility. The "mourning" here is often a direct result of that "poverty in spirit"—an acknowledgment of one's spiritual need, sinfulness, and the tragic condition of a world separated from God. Historically, Jewish understanding often linked blessings to outward prosperity and joy, viewing suffering and mourning as signs of divine displeasure. Jesus’ Beatitudes subvert these traditional expectations, declaring divine favor upon those who embrace a profound inward spiritual condition, highlighting values diametrically opposed to the world's perception of happiness and blessedness.

Matthew 5 4 Word analysis

• Blessed: Greek makarios (μακάριος). Signifies a deep, internal spiritual well-being and divine favor, not happiness based on circumstances. It describes the enviable state of someone who is the object of God's special favor, distinct from superficial human happiness. It denotes spiritual contentment irrespective of earthly conditions.
• are: Greek eisin (εἰσιν). Present tense, indicating a present state of blessedness, not a future one. The comfort, however, is a future promise.
• those: Not explicitly stated but implied by the plural participle. Refers to a specific category of people.
• who mourn: Greek penthountes (πενθοῦντες). A strong and deep word for sorrow, grief, or lamentation. It often implies a public expression of grief, mourning for the dead, or deep anguish. In this context, it refers to profound spiritual sorrow—mourning over sin, the effects of sin, the world's spiritual lostness, or perhaps suffering for righteousness' sake. It is a heartfelt, genuine sorrow, not shallow regret or worldly sorrow.
• for: Greek hoti (ὅτι). Introduces the reason or ground for the blessedness.
• they: Greek autoi (αὐτοί). Refers back to "those who mourn."
• shall be comforted: Greek paraklēthēsontai (παρακληθήσονται). Future passive verb from parakaleō. Meaning to be called alongside, to console, encourage, or give solace. This comfort is divine, active, and comprehensive, not merely emotional uplift but God's deep and transformative reassurance. The word "Paraclete," an epithet for the Holy Spirit, comes from the same root, hinting at the source of this divine comfort.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Blessed are those who mourn": This phrase challenges conventional human wisdom. It asserts that genuine spiritual favor is upon those who experience profound, often inward, sorrow related to their spiritual state or the world's fallenness. This mourning is often tied to repentance and a longing for righteousness.
• "for they shall be comforted": This provides the divine promise and outcome. The comfort is absolute, guaranteed by God Himself, and extends beyond present consolation to future eschatological comfort where all tears are wiped away. This comfort comes from God and is deep, enduring, and ultimately restorative.

Matthew 5 4 Bonus section

The progressive nature of the Beatitudes implies that poverty of spirit naturally leads to this state of mourning. One recognizes spiritual destitution, then mourns over the sins and imperfections revealed. This is a journey from self-awareness to godly grief. Furthermore, the comfort promised carries an eschatological dimension, hinting at the ultimate wiping away of every tear in the new heavens and new earth, as depicted in Revelation. It contrasts sharply with Stoicism's suppression of emotion and encourages a tender heart sensitive to both sin and suffering. This Beatitude establishes that grief, when properly directed, can be a pathway to divine intimacy and eternal joy, rather than an impediment.

Matthew 5 4 Commentary

Matthew 5:4 offers a profound paradox: true blessedness is found in spiritual mourning. This mourning is not simply sadness or grief over personal loss, but a deep sorrow born from recognizing spiritual bankruptcy, sin's gravity, and the brokenness of creation. It flows naturally from the "poor in spirit" of the previous Beatitude—a recognition of absolute spiritual need. Such sorrow, being "godly grief" (2 Cor 7:10), leads to repentance and humility, clearing the way for divine intervention. The promised "comfort" (paraklēthēsontai) is multifaceted. It includes the peace of forgiveness, the consolation of the Holy Spirit (the "Comforter"), divine empathy in times of suffering, and ultimately, the complete removal of sorrow in God's eternal Kingdom. This Beatitude assures believers that their sorrow in a fallen world is not unnoticed, but rather brings them into a unique position to experience God's active, transformative, and everlasting solace. For example, mourning over personal sins leads to the comfort of forgiveness and reconciliation with God; mourning over injustice in the world prompts action while receiving comfort from God's promise of ultimate justice.