Meaning of BLESSINGS

The name generally given to the nine statements of blessing in the Sermon on the Mount, showing the character and portion of those who enter the kingdom (Matt. 5:1-11).

They are in stark contrast to the administration of the Law, in which there is a list of curses as well as blessings. When Israel entered the promised land, the beatitudes were read to the people, but also the curses (Josh. 8:33-35).

The beatitudes are repeated with some variants by Lk. 6:20-23. Mateo, except for the last one, uses the third person; Lucas the second. Matthew gives eight beatitudes; Luke, four, the first, second, fourth and eighth of Matthew.

Matthew also gives some of them a spiritual meaning, while Luke limits himself to a literal one. Thus, where Luke simply says "poor," Matthew says "poor in spirit"; the “those who hunger” in Luke is “those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” in Matthew. Without a doubt, Jesus repeated the beatitudes many times in different forms, and that is why these variations are due.