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.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Why is there a change of tenses between Mt 5:3 and 4? The Beatitudes use a patterned alternation of present and future verbs to signal how Jesus understands the Kingdom of Heaven as both already present and not yet fully realised. Present tense (vv. 3 and 10): Indicates that the kingdom is already in the possession of Jesus's disciples. Future tense (vv. 4–9): Indicates blessings that will be fully realised in the future, often with eschatological (end-time) overtones. Scholars note that Matthew is signalling both present participation in God's reign and future consummation of its promises. Matthew 5:3 — "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Present tense: the kingdom already belongs to them. This sets the tone: entry into the kingdom is a present reality for Jesus's followers. Matthew 5:4 — "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Future tense: comfort is promised but not yet fully given. Conclusion: Matthew emphasises the inner posture of disciples in the already/not yet kingdom. Audience Matthew "Jesus went up the mountain… and his disciples came to him.” Spoken to disciples Matthew 5:3 — Present tense "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Present possession: The kingdom already belongs to them. Matthew 5:4 — Future tense “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Echoes Isaiah 61: The coming messianic consolation. The shift in tenses between Matthew 5:3 (present tense) and Matthew 5:4 (future tense) highlights the immediate reality of God's kingdom versus the eventual relief of future suffering.
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