Matthew 5:9 kjv
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9 nkjv
Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 niv
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5:9 esv
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 nlt
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God.
Matthew 5 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 34:14 | Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. | Active pursuit of peace. |
| Pro 12:20 | Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but joy for those who plan peace. | Righteous planning leads to peace. |
| Isa 9:6 | For to us a child is born…and his name will be called…Prince of Peace. | Christ as the source and embodiment of peace. |
| Isa 32:17 | And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. | Righteousness is the foundation for peace. |
| Rom 5:1 | Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God... | Peace with God through Christ. |
| Rom 12:18 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. | Practical call to peaceful living. |
| Rom 14:19 | So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. | Pursuit of peace for spiritual growth. |
| 2 Cor 5:18 | All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... | God as reconciler, giving believers this ministry. |
| Gal 3:26 | For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. | Sonship through faith in Christ. |
| Eph 2:14 | For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in the dividing wall of hostility... | Christ breaking down barriers for unity/peace. |
| Phil 2:15 | ...that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish... | Living as God's children in character. |
| Col 3:15 | And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. | Peace of Christ as governing principle. |
| 1 Thes 5:13 | Be at peace among yourselves. | Call for intra-community peace. |
| Heb 12:14 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. | Striving for peace and holiness. |
| Jas 3:17-18 | But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable... And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. | Peacemaking is characteristic of divine wisdom, yields righteousness. |
| 1 Pet 3:11 | Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. | Echo of Psa 34:14, pursuit of peace. |
| 1 Jn 3:1 | See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. | Divine calling and reality of being children of God. |
| 1 Jn 3:2 | Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him... | Future inheritance and likeness as God's children. |
| Mat 5:44-45 | ...Love your enemies... so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven... | Love as characteristic of God's children, leading to peace. |
| Lk 6:35 | But love your enemies, and do good... and you will be sons of the Most High... | Demonstrating divine character results in being "sons." |
| Mat 18:15 | "If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault..." | Peacemaking involves confronting and reconciling. |
| Rom 8:14 | For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. | Sonship guided by the Holy Spirit. |
Matthew 5 verses
Matthew 5 9 Meaning
Matthew 5:9 declares a profound blessing upon those who actively work for peace. It signifies that individuals who promote harmony, reconcile divisions, and seek to restore broken relationships are truly favored by God. The promise of being "called sons of God" means they reflect God's own character and purpose, as God Himself is the ultimate Peacemaker who reconciles humanity to Himself through Christ. This beatitude is not about passive avoidance of conflict but an active, righteous pursuit of wholeness and reconciliation.
Matthew 5 9 Context
Matthew 5:9 is part of the Beatitudes (Mat 5:3-12), which introduce the Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5-7). The Sermon lays out the character, values, and practices of citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, as presented by Jesus. Each beatitude presents a paradox: the blessed are not those who are powerful or prominent in worldly terms, but those who embody qualities like meekness, sorrow over sin, hunger for righteousness, and in this case, active peacemaking. The verse reflects a kingdom ethic that often runs counter to the prevailing societal norms of Jesus' time, which valued strength, retaliation, and peace established through domination (like the Roman 'Pax Romana'). For Jesus' original Jewish audience, who might have anticipated a militant Messiah to bring political peace, this beatitude redirects their understanding of true peace and God's kingdom.
Matthew 5 9 Word analysis
- Blessed (Greek: makarios - μακάριος): This term describes an internal state of deep spiritual well-being, joy, and divine favor that is independent of external circumstances. It's the blessing God bestows on those who are right with Him.
- are (Greek: eisi - εἰσίν): A present tense verb, indicating that the peacemakers are already in this state of blessedness. It's not a future reward but a present reality.
- the peacemakers (Greek: hoi eirenopoioi - οἱ εἰρηνοποιοί): A compound word from eirene (peace) and poieo (to make, to do, to create, to produce). This signifies more than simply liking peace or being peaceful. It denotes an active, deliberate, and intentional effort to establish, bring about, and restore peace. This peace (eirene) encompasses the Hebrew concept of shalom, meaning wholeness, well-being, harmony, prosperity, and reconciliation—not just the absence of conflict but a state of flourishing righteousness. It includes peace with God, peace among people, and internal peace.
- for (Greek: hoti - ὅτι): This conjunction introduces the reason or basis for the preceding statement of blessedness.
- they shall be called (Greek: klēthēsontai - κληθήσονται): A future passive verb. This means God Himself, or people on God's behalf, will acknowledge and declare their status. It's an affirmation of their true identity, not just a label. It implies a public and divine recognition of their genuine relationship with God.
- sons of God (Greek: huioi Theou - υἱοὶ Θεοῦ): This is a significant title conveying several aspects. Firstly, it indicates a deep and intimate relationship with God, characterized by adoption into His family and bearing His spiritual likeness. Secondly, it implies sharing in God's nature and character. Since God is the ultimate peacemaker and reconciler (as seen in Christ's work on the cross), those who engage in peacemaking embody this divine attribute, proving themselves to be His true children. Thirdly, it hints at heirship and a glorious destiny, as children inherit from their Father.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "Blessed are the peacemakers": Establishes a divine blessing on a specific kind of active individual. It highlights that proactive reconciliation is a pathway to God's favor.
- "for they shall be called sons of God": Connects the action of peacemaking directly to the highest form of relationship with God. It indicates that living out God's character in this way makes one unmistakably recognizable as His child. This calling signifies a deep, spiritual identity rather than merely a physical lineage or formal title.
Matthew 5 9 Bonus section
The active nature of "peacemaking" (eirenopoioi) starkly contrasted with common political and social aspirations in Jesus' day. The Romans imposed a "Pax Romana," peace by force and domination. Jewish zealots sought peace through violent liberation from Roman rule. Jesus, however, champions a peace established through humble service, reconciliation, and adherence to divine righteousness. This "peace" is intrinsically linked to justice and righteousness; one cannot truly make peace without seeking what is right and equitable. The "sons of God" theme here also speaks to the reversal of the Fall. Humanity lost its perfect relationship and "sonship" with God in the Garden, resulting in discord and brokenness. By engaging in peacemaking, believers are participating in the restoration process, actively working towards God's kingdom come, reflecting the very character of the Father who sought to reconcile a fallen world to Himself. It underscores that spiritual transformation leads to a life that proactively seeks to bring about the shalom of God.
Matthew 5 9 Commentary
Matthew 5:9 encapsulates a foundational truth about the nature of God's Kingdom and the character of its citizens. The blessing pronounced upon peacemakers emphasizes that peace is not merely the absence of strife but a divine work of reconciliation and wholeness, much like God's redemptive work through Christ. True peacemakers do not passively avoid conflict; rather, they actively intervene to bridge divides, heal wounds, and restore harmony—whether between individuals, groups, or even in seeking to reconcile humanity to God. This requires humility, self-sacrifice, and often, courage. Being "called sons of God" signifies that such active peacemaking is a direct reflection of God's own character and purpose. Just as God is the great Reconciler who initiates peace through Jesus Christ, those who work for peace become His living representatives, demonstrating their spiritual kinship and fulfilling a divine mandate. It’s a radical call in any age, demanding that believers embody the love and unity of God in a fractured world.Examples: mediating a dispute between friends, fostering unity in a divided church, sharing the gospel of peace with those estranged from God.