Why is there a change of tenses between Mt 5:3 and 4?
Verse 3 says the kingdom "is" theirs now, while verse 4 says mourners "will be" comforted later. What do you make of that? Is this significant? Matthew 5:3-4 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."
Matthew 5:2 - 12
ESV - 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: 3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
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Timothy Maas
Supporter
I would say that the difference in tenses is accounted for by the possession of the kingdom of heaven being conditioned upon a present state or personal attribute that already exists, whereas the comforting of those who mourn occurs only after the occurrence of the event that causes the mourning.
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