Matthew 5:5 kjv
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 nkjv
Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 niv
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 esv
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Matthew 5:5 nlt
God blesses those who are humble,
for they will inherit the whole earth.
Matthew 5 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 37:11 | But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and great prosperity. | Direct Old Testament source/parallel. |
| Isa 60:21 | Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever. | Prophetic promise of eternal inheritance. |
| Matt 11:29 | Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble... | Jesus, the ultimate example of meekness. |
| Num 12:3 | (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else...) | Biblical example of divinely approved meekness. |
| Zeph 2:3 | Seek the Lord, all you meek of the earth, who do His just commands... | Command for the meek to seek God. |
| Ps 25:9 | He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. | Meekness allows for divine guidance. |
| Ps 22:26 | The meek shall eat and be satisfied... | Blessing of provision for the meek. |
| Rom 4:13 | It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received...to be heir of the world... | Broad inheritance promised to faith. |
| Gal 3:29 | If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise. | Believers as spiritual heirs with Christ. |
| Eph 6:3 | "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." | Conditional blessing of earthly life for obedience. |
| Col 3:12 | Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. | Meekness as a virtue for believers. |
| Gal 5:22-23 | But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. | Meekness (gentleness) as a fruit of the Spirit. |
| 2 Tim 2:24-25 | And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone...patiently enduring evil...in gentleness. | Meekness in servant leadership. |
| Jas 1:21 | Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word... | Meekness required to receive God's word. |
| 1 Pet 3:4 | Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit... | Meekness as inward spiritual beauty. |
| Matt 19:29 | And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. | Inheriting life as comprehensive reward. |
| Rev 5:10 | You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. | Believers' future reign on the earth. |
| Rev 21:7 | Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be My children. | Ultimate inheritance for the faithful. |
| Ps 37:9 | For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. | Contrast: Wicked vs. hope in Lord and inheritance. |
| Matt 25:34 | Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.' | Inheritance as the prepared Kingdom. |
| Prov 3:34 | He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble. | God opposes the proud, blesses the humble. |
Matthew 5 verses
Matthew 5 5 Meaning
Matthew 5:5 declares that those characterized by meekness are blessed because they are assured to inherit the earth. This Beatitude reveals a paradoxical truth from God's Kingdom perspective: while the world values strength and dominance, true and lasting dominion is granted to the humble and gentle. It describes a deep spiritual contentment and divine favor bestowed upon those who, empowered by God, exercise strength under control, trusting Him rather than asserting themselves aggressively.
Matthew 5 5 Context
This verse is the third of the Beatitudes found in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), which serves as a foundational declaration of Kingdom ethics and principles for those who would follow Him. Preached primarily to His disciples but overheard by larger crowds, this sermon introduces radical counter-cultural values. The Beatitudes (Matt 5:3-12) collectively describe the spiritual characteristics of true disciples and the blessings promised to them by God. They establish an internal disposition—a new righteousness—that runs contrary to the external, often self-serving righteousness emphasized by many religious leaders of the day, as well as the power-driven values of the Roman Empire. By highlighting "the meek," Jesus directly challenged the contemporary Jewish expectation of a political Messiah who would liberate Israel through force, instead pointing to a spiritual victory and a divinely bestowed inheritance for those who submit humbly to God. It builds upon the prior Beatitudes by demonstrating that spiritual poverty and mourning for sin naturally lead to a humble reliance on God rather than self.
Matthew 5 5 Word analysis
- Blessed (Μακάριοι - Makarioi): This Greek word signifies a state of true happiness, deep spiritual well-being, and divine favor, irrespective of external circumstances. It describes one whom God has chosen to favor and delight in. It implies flourishing under God's grace and experiencing His deep contentment and approval.
- are: A simple copulative verb, indicating an inherent, present reality for those possessing the quality of meekness.
- the meek (οἱ πραεῖς - hoi praeis): The Greek term praus (nominative plural praeis) does not denote weakness, timidity, or spinelessness. Instead, it refers to strength, power, or force under control. It can be likened to a wild horse that has been tamed—its strength is not diminished, but disciplined and guided. Spiritually, "the meek" are those who are not self-assertive, quick-tempered, or vengeful, but who humbly submit to God's will, patiently endure hardship, are gentle in dealing with others, and allow God to vindicate them. It reflects an absence of pride and an openness to be taught by God.
- for: This conjunction indicates the reason or cause for the preceding blessing, establishing a direct connection between the characteristic of meekness and the promise of inheritance.
- they: Emphasizes that it is these specific individuals, the meek ones, who will receive the promised blessing.
- will inherit (κληρονομήσουσιν - klēronomēsousin): This verb means "to receive an inheritance" or "to possess by right of inheritance." It implies a divinely appointed portion or legacy that is guaranteed in the future. It’s not something earned by human effort, but freely given by God.
- the earth (τὴν γῆν - tēn gēn): This phrase holds significant depth and direct connection to Ps 37:11. While it can literally refer to the physical land of Israel (as in the Psalm's original context for God's covenant people), in Jesus' broader Kingdom context, "the earth" (or "the land") expands in meaning. It can signify the new earth in God’s redeemed creation (Rev 21:1), the entire world or cosmos as part of Christ’s reign, or participation in the Kingdom of God, which entails ultimate dominion and blessed dwelling in the divine plan. It represents a secure and lasting spiritual and perhaps even physical dwelling and reigning with God, contrasting with the fleeting possessions and power structures of the present age.
Matthew 5 5 Bonus section
The third Beatitude positions meekness as a natural outcome and progression from spiritual poverty and mourning (the first two Beatitudes). One who recognizes their spiritual destitution and truly laments over sin naturally sheds pride and self-assertiveness, embracing humility and gentle reliance on God. This internal transformation contrasts sharply with common cultural ideals of achieving power through assertiveness and domination. The term praus was also used in ancient Greek to describe something that was powerful yet controllable, like a gentle breeze, a calm sea, or a mild medicine. This illustrates the nature of gospel meekness—it's not weak or ineffective, but effectively potent due to its controlled, divinely aligned direction. The ultimate example is Christ Himself, who, though possessing all power, chose meekness, laying down His life rather than asserting His divine prerogative, thereby securing the ultimate inheritance for His followers.
Matthew 5 5 Commentary
Matthew 5:5 is a radical statement of divine counter-cultural values. In a world that often rewards aggression, self-promotion, and the pursuit of power, Jesus declares true blessing upon the meek. Meekness, often misunderstood as weakness, is in fact powerful self-control under God’s authority. It is the ability to yield one's "rights," forego personal vengeance, and trust God for justice and vindication.
The promise to "inherit the earth" goes beyond a mere patch of ground. Drawing directly from Psalm 37:11, Jesus elevates the Old Testament promise to a new, expansive Kingdom reality. For the followers of Christ, "the earth" signifies a share in the cosmic dominion of Christ, which culminates in the New Heavens and New Earth—a redeemed creation where God’s people will dwell in secure, abundant peace. It speaks of not just a spiritual inheritance but also a tangible, eternal portion in God's everlasting Kingdom. The meek, who do not grasp for power in the present age, will ultimately be entrusted with genuine, lasting dominion by God Himself. This inheritance is assured because it is bestowed by God, a testament to His faithfulness and an ultimate vindication for those who humbly submit to Him.