Matthew 5 6

Matthew 5:6 kjv

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6 nkjv

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

Matthew 5:6 niv

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Matthew 5:6 esv

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:6 nlt

God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
for they will be satisfied.

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 6 Meaning

Matthew 5:6 declares a divine blessing upon those whose deepest desire is centered on God's perfect moral standard and His transforming grace. To "hunger and thirst for righteousness" signifies an intense, vital craving—not just for outward morality or legalistic adherence, but for true conformity to God's character and will, seeking justice, purity, and God's right standing, which ultimately comes through Christ. The promise "they will be filled" assures complete satisfaction, spiritual nourishment, and a full impartation of God's presence and grace, both in this life and eternally.

Matthew 5 6 Context

Matthew 5:6 is part of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), which introduce Jesus's Sermon on the Mount, often regarded as the foundational declaration of kingdom ethics. Jesus articulates a radically counter-cultural standard of blessedness, not based on worldly power, wealth, or status, but on spiritual virtues and humility. This verse contrasts the deep, insatiable longings of the human heart for things that don't satisfy, pointing instead to a craving for something divine and eternal. In a Jewish context, "righteousness" often referred to adherence to the Law, but Jesus elevates and deepens this concept, calling for an inward transformation and a longing for a divine standard that legalistic observance could never truly meet or produce. It challenges any self-righteousness or superficial piety, emphasizing an internal, consuming desire for God's way.

Matthew 5 6 Word analysis

• Blessed (Greek: makarioi, μακάριοι): More than simply "happy," this word denotes a state of profound well-being and divine favor bestowed by God. It signifies being divinely favored or enjoying God's blessing, regardless of outward circumstances. It is a pronouncement of spiritual prosperity and ultimate satisfaction rooted in a right relationship with God.

• are those who hunger (Greek: peinōntes, πεινῶντες): This participle depicts a continuous, active state of deep, aching need for food, a physical deprivation so intense that it's life-threatening. Spiritually, it signifies a profound and desperate craving for something vital that one currently lacks. It's not a casual wish but an urgent, consuming drive.

• and thirst (Greek: dipsōntes, διψῶντες): Similarly, this conveys an intense, desperate need for water, a parched throat that feels it might crack. Paired with "hunger," it powerfully illustrates an all-encompassing, vital spiritual yearning. Both words highlight the urgency and necessity, mirroring how essential food and water are for physical life.

• for (Greek: tēn, τὴν): This definite article introduces the specific object of their intense craving, "righteousness."

• righteousness (Greek: dikaiosynēn, δικαιοσύνην): This is a pivotal term. It means conformity to God's standard, a right relationship with God, and upright conduct. In the New Testament, it encompasses several layers:

  • God's righteousness: His own perfect moral character and justice.
  • Imputed righteousness: The righteousness of Christ freely given to believers through faith (justification).
  • Imparted/Practical righteousness: The inward work of the Holy Spirit transforming believers to live righteously, manifesting ethical conduct and living in alignment with God's will (sanctification).
  • This verse calls for a deep longing for all aspects: for God to be glorified, for justice to prevail, for personal holiness, and for the righteousness that saves and sanctifies. It’s a longing for full alignment with God's character and purposes.

• for (Greek: hoti, ὅτι): This conjunction introduces the reason or consequence; "because" or "that is why." It underscores the certainty of the promise.

• they will be filled (Greek: chortasthēsontai, χορτασθήσονται): This verb, typically used for feeding animals until they are fully satisfied or people at a plentiful meal, indicates a complete, overflowing satisfaction. It signifies an end to their spiritual hunger and thirst. It is a divine promise of complete fulfillment of their deepest longing, receiving spiritual abundance—the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, understanding of God's truth, deeper conformity to Christ, and ultimately, salvation and eternal joy in God's presence.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Hunger and thirst": This powerful pairing underscores the absolute desperation and sincerity of the longing. It is not a casual interest but an existential craving, a spiritual drive for life itself. This active pursuit is what God promises to meet.
  • "for righteousness": The object of this hunger is not worldly gain, power, or even mere happiness, but a profound connection to and manifestation of God's perfect moral character and will. This indicates a kingdom citizen's primary longing.
  • "they will be filled": This passive voice highlights that the satisfaction comes from God. He is the one who provides the spiritual nourishment and fulfills the longing. The promise is absolute and abundant, reaching the point of complete saturation and cessation of want.

Matthew 5 6 Bonus section

The active present participle forms ("who are hungering and thirsting") indicate that this blessedness applies to those whose current, ongoing posture in life is characterized by this desperate spiritual longing. It is not a past event or a future aspiration, but a present spiritual reality of dependence on God. Furthermore, this hunger and thirst is a paradox: the more one is filled with God's righteousness, the more one genuinely desires more of it, a holy cycle of increasing longing and increasing satisfaction. This Beatitude counters superficial religious performance, pointing to an inward heart attitude as the core of true discipleship. It reveals that God rewards radical dependence and sincere spiritual pursuit, echoing Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart."

Matthew 5 6 Commentary

Matthew 5:6 reveals a spiritual truth: true blessedness is found not in self-satisfaction or outward displays of piety, but in an inward, urgent longing for what God truly is and what He commands. The hunger and thirst described are not occasional desires but a constant, deep-seated yearning that consumes one's being. This intense desire is directed towards "righteousness"—not merely one's own efforts to be good, which inevitably fall short, but for the very nature of God Himself and for His righteousness to permeate their lives and the world. This includes yearning for justification, sanctification, and justice. The promise of being "filled" guarantees that this deep spiritual need will be met by God completely and superabundantly. It implies not just enough to survive, but spiritual feasting and profound contentment found in God's presence, His Spirit, and His living Word. This fulfillment begins now as we are united with Christ and progressively transformed, and culminates fully in His eternal kingdom where all longings will cease.

• Practical usage example: When faced with societal injustice, instead of despair, one might deeply "hunger and thirst for righteousness" by praying fervently for justice, advocating for the oppressed, and acting with integrity, trusting God for ultimate fulfillment.
• Practical usage example: When feeling spiritually empty, the command is to earnestly pursue God's Word and prayer, not to try and fill the void with distractions, for only God can truly satisfy.