Matthew 5:4

Commentary on Matthew 5:4

Matthew 5:4 (King James Version): “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

1. Concise Takeaway

Jesus declares that those who mourn are truly blessed, because God himself promises real, lasting comfort. This mourning is not merely emotional distress but a deep, spiritual grief over sin, brokenness, and the world’s fallenness. The comfort promised is both present—through the Holy Spirit—and future, in the fullness of God’s kingdom.

2. Exegetical Commentary

The Setting: The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 5[i] opens with Jesus teaching his disciples on a mountain, presenting the Beatitudes as the character of those who belong to the kingdom of heaven. Each Beatitude overturns worldly expectations and reveals the values of God’s reign.

Matthew 5:1–2 (KJV): “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”

Jesus is not offering general moral advice. He is describing the Spirit-wrought character of those who follow him.

“Blessed”

The word “blessed” (Greek makarios) means more than “happy.” It refers to a deep, God-given flourishing. It is covenantal language: the blessed person is one who lives under God’s favour.

This blessing is surprising. Mourning does not look like flourishing. Yet Jesus insists that those who mourn are the ones who truly know God’s blessing.

“They that mourn”

The mourning here is not limited to sorrow over personal hardship, though that is included. In the context of the Beatitudes, it is primarily spiritual mourning:

• Mourning over one’s own sin
• Mourning over the sin and suffering of the world
• Mourning over the distance between God’s holiness and our present reality
• Mourning that longs for God’s kingdom to come in fullness

This aligns with the preceding Beatitude:

Matthew 5:3 (KJV): “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Poverty of spirit leads naturally to mourning. When a person recognises their spiritual need, they grieve the reality of sin.

This is consistent with the Old Testament background:

Psalm 51:17 (KJV): “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”

The mourning Jesus blesses is the grief of repentance and longing for God’s restoration.

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“For they shall be comforted”

The comfort promised is both present and future.

Present comfort

God comforts his people through:

• The Holy Spirit, the Comforter
• The forgiveness of sins
• The assurance of God’s presence
• The fellowship of the church
• The promises of Scripture

Jesus later promises:

John 14:16 (KJV): “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever.”

Future comfort

The ultimate comfort awaits the new creation:

Revelation 21:4 (KJV): “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

The comfort of Matthew 5:4 is eschatological. It is grounded in God’s promise to make all things new.

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3. Theological Teaching

A. Mourning is a mark of true discipleship

In Christian theology, the Christian life begins with conviction of sin. Mourning is the fruit of the Spirit’s work in regeneration. It is not self-pity but a God-centred sorrow.

B. Comfort comes from God alone

Human attempts at comfort—distraction, denial, self-reliance—cannot reach the depth of the grief caused by sin. Only God can comfort the mourning heart.

C. Mourning and comfort are inseparable

The Beatitude does not say “Blessed are the cheerful.” It says that comfort belongs to those who mourn. Repentance and restoration are always paired in Scripture.

D. The kingdom reverses worldly expectations

The world avoids mourning. Jesus blesses it. The world seeks comfort without repentance. Jesus offers comfort through repentance.

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4. Application to Modern Christian Living

A. Cultivate honest mourning over sin

Christians today are tempted to minimise sin or treat it lightly. Jesus calls us to grieve it deeply. This includes:

• Personal sin
• The brokenness of relationships
• Injustice in society
• The suffering of others
• The spiritual lostness of the world

This mourning is not despair but hope-filled grief.

B. Receive God’s comfort

Many believers carry guilt, shame, or sorrow without turning to God. Jesus promises comfort. This comfort is received through:

• Prayer
• Scripture
• Confession and repentance
• The ministry of the Holy Spirit
• The support of the church

C. Become agents of comfort

Those who have received God’s comfort are called to comfort others.

2 Corinthians 1:4 (KJV): “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

D. Live with eschatological hope

Christians mourn, but not as those without hope. Every tear will be wiped away. This shapes how we endure suffering and how we minister to others.

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5. Meditation Guide
“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

A. Reflection Questions

1. What sins in your life should lead you to godly mourning?
2. Where do you see the brokenness of the world most clearly?
3. How have you experienced God’s comfort in the past?
4. Who in your life needs comfort that you can offer?
5. How does the promise of future comfort shape your present struggles?

B. Prayer

“Lord Jesus, teach me to mourn rightly. Give me a heart that grieves over sin and longs for your kingdom. Comfort me by your Spirit, and make me a comfort to others. Help me to trust your promise that one day all sorrow will be swallowed up in joy. Amen.”

C. Suggested Practice

Spend time this week in quiet confession. Name before God the sins and sorrows that weigh on your heart. Then deliberately receive his comfort by reading a psalm of assurance, such as Psalm 23[ii] or Psalm 103[iii].

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[i] Matthew 5

King James Version

5 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:

2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

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.

13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

[ii] Psalm 23

King James Version

23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

[iii] Psalm 103

King James Version

103 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.