This is one of the most beloved and dissected passages in the New Testament. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3–12) serve as the preamble to the Sermon on the Mount, outlining the "counter-cultural" values of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Because these verses rely on specific virtues—like "meekness" or "poverty of spirit"—the choice of translation can significantly change how the message feels.
Matthew 5:3–12
The Beatitudes represent a series of "blessings" (from the Latin beatus) that invert the world's standard of success. Here is how they appear across major English translations:
Literal & Traditional Translations
These versions prioritize a word-for-word (formal equivalence) approach to the original Greek.
-
King James Version (KJV): "
3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
."
-
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE): "
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
"
-
English Standard Version (ESV): "
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. - 12" Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
Dynamic & Modern Translations
These versions focus on "thought-for-thought" (functional equivalence) to make the text more readable.
-
New International Version (NIV): "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."
-
New Living Translation (NLT): "God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth."
-
Christian Standard Bible (CSB): "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled."
Paraphrase & Unique Versions
These versions aim to capture the vibe or emotional impact for a contemporary audience.
-
The Message (MSG): "You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."
-
The Amplified Bible (AMP): "Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those who devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
Quick Context Note
The term "Blessed" comes from the Greek word Makarios. While often translated as "happy," it refers more to a state of divine favor or "well-being" that exists regardless of outward circumstances.
Matthew 5:3–12 Original Greek
The structure of these verses uses a poetic device called parallelism. Most verses follow the format: Blessed are [the group], for [the reward].
"Μακάριοι οἱ πτωχοὶ τῷ πνεύματι, ὅτι αὐτῶν ἐστιν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν." (v. 3)
Key Linguistic Insights
1. "Poor in Spirit" (ptōchoi tō pneumati)
This does not mean a lack of enthusiasm. In Greek, ptōchos describes an absolute beggar—someone with nothing. To be "poor in spirit" is to acknowledge complete spiritual bankruptcy before God.
2. "The Meek" (praeis)
In the ancient world, praus was used to describe a powerful stallion that had been tamed. It isn't "weakness," but rather strength under control.
3. "Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness"
The Greek grammar here implies a desire for the whole of righteousness, not just a small part of it. It is a craving for total justice and alignment with God's will.
4. Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness (dipsōntes tēn dikaiosynēn)
In the original Greek, the grammar is unique. Usually, when you "thirst for" something, you thirst for part of a cup of water. However, Matthew uses the "accusative" case here, which implies a desire for the whole thing.
-
The Insight: It is not a casual wish for a bit of goodness; it is a starving person's desperate craving for total, global justice and personal alignment with God’s standard.
5. The Merciful (eleēmones)
The Greek word eleos goes beyond just "feeling sorry" for someone. It is closely related to the Hebrew word chesed, which means "loyal, covenant love."
-
The Insight: This is mercy in action. It refers to someone who identifies with the suffering of others so deeply that they are compelled to do something to relieve it. The promise is reciprocal: those who act with mercy will receive it.
6. Pure in Heart (katharoi tē kardia)
The word katharos (where we get "catharsis") means to be purged, scrubbed clean, or unadulterated—like gold that has had the alloys melted out of it.
-
The Insight: In the biblical sense, the "heart" is the seat of the will and the mind. To be "pure in heart" means to have undivided loyalty. It is the opposite of being double-minded or hypocritical.
7. Peacemakers (eirēnopoioi)
This is the only time this word appears in the New Testament. It is a compound of eirēnē (peace/shalom) and poieō (to make/do).
-
The Insight: It does not say "peace-lovers" or "peace-keepers" (who might just avoid conflict). It describes those who actively intervene to reconcile broken relationships and bring wholeness where there is chaos.
8. The Persecuted (dediōgmenoi)
The Greek verb diōkō literally means "to pursue" or "to chase after."
-
The Insight: It implies a systematic, persistent following. The "reward" mentioned in verses 11–12 uses the word misthos, which was a technical term for a worker’s daily wage. It suggests that the joy found in heaven isn't a "bonus," but a certain result of their faithfulness.
Summary Table: The Beatitudes at a Glance