Matthew 5:3 (WEB)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Catechism · 3
Our Vocation to Beatitude
“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:3-12.
The Tenth Commandment
“"Blessed are the poor in spirit."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:3[ETML:C/].
The Mysteries of Christ's Life
“Jesus is sent to "preach good news to the poor"; he declares them blessed, for "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:3[ETML:C/].
Fathers and councils · 65
Gregory of Nyssa
“…we know of kings who in truth advance under the guidance of Wisdom to the rule that has no end—the poor in spirit, whose possession is the kingdom of heaven, as the Lord promises, Who is the Wisdom of the Gospel: and such also we recognize as the princes who bear rule over their passions, who are not enslaved by…” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3
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John Cassian
- John Cassian, Conferences I–X III.9Conference III
“…which belongs to those poor who are commended in the gospel by the Lord’s saying: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” and in the Psalm: “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him,” and again: “The poor and needy shall praise thy name.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences I–X IX.29Conference IX
“…as follows in the character of that poor person of whom it is said in the gospel that “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven:” “A prayer of the poor when he was in distress and poured forth his prayer to God.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences I–X X.11Conference X
“…of the gospel, which holds the first place among the other beatitudes: for He says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment - John Cassian, Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXI.5Conference XXI
“But the Lord says to His disciples: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” and: “Everyone that leaveth house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or field for My name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3; xix. 29.
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Augustine of Hippo
“And Alypius, beginning again to hear me, was involved in the same superstition as I was, loving in the Manichæans that ostentation of continency which he believed to be true and unfeigned.” — editor's note: Augustin, in book v. sec. 9, above, refers to the reputed sanctity of Manichæus, and it may well be questioned whether the sect deserved that unmitigated…
Read the whole comment“…themselves; and these, in their rambling, came upon a certain cottage inhabited by some of Thy servants, “poor in spirit,” of whom “is the kingdom of heaven,” where they found a book in which was written the life of Antony.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3. Roman commentators are ever ready to use this text of Scripture as an argument in favour of monastic poverty, and some may feel disposed from its…
Read the whole comment“…us, that we may be poor in spirit, and meek, and mourners, and hungering and athirst after righteousness, and merciful, and pure in heart, and peacemakers.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–9.
Read the whole comment““His eyes look against the poor,” for he is chiefly to persecute the righteous, of whom it is said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (ver. 9).” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“From thence begins His sermon on the mount to Matthew, where He says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“It is He that maketh rich those who are the true poor; and maketh poor those who are falsely rich.” — editor's note: Compare Matt. v. 3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” and Luke vi. 20, “Blessed be ye poor.”
Read the whole comment“For, “Blessed are the poor, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“In which poverty even blessed Job was poor even before he had lost those great earthly riches.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“Ye see, brethren, how sweet ought to be poverty: ye see that poor and helpless men belong to God, but “poor in spirit, for of them is the Kingdom of Heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit:” but they are not forsaken.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“I am now become “poor in spirit,” make Thou me “blessed in the kingdom of heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“For in the latter the words run thus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven;” while in the former they are put thus: “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit;” imitate Him, Who, whereas “He was rich, was made poor for your sakes.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–10
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3
Read the whole comment“If it is wisdom through which the peacemakers are blessed, inasmuch as they shall be called the children of God; let us pray that we may be freed from evil, for that very freedom will make us free, i.e. sons of God, so that we may cry in the spirit of adoption, “Abba, Father.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3–9.
Read the whole comment“On the words of the Gospel, Matt. Chap. v. 3 and 8, “Blessed are the poor in spirit:” etc., but especially on that, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”” — the author cites it
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Tertullian
“Blessed therefore are the poor, because, He says, the kingdom of heaven is theirs who have the soul only treasured up.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“For whom but the patient has the Lord called happy, in saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of the heavens?”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment- Tertullian, To His Wife II.8Book II
“For if it is “the poor,” not the rich, “whose are the kingdoms of the heavens,” the rich will find more in the poor (than she brings him, or than she would in the rich).” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3; but Tertullian has omitted “spiritu,” which he inserts in de Pa., c. xi., where he refers to the same passage. In Luke vi. 20 there is no τῷ…
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Origen
- Origen, De Principiis II.3Book II
“…fulfilled, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth;” and, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall inherit the kingdom of heaven;” and the declaration in the Psalm, “He shall exalt thee, and thou shalt inherit the land.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
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Gregory the Great
“Let us consider how we are admonished by the precepts of our Redeemer, who says, Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matth. v. 3).” — the author cites it
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John Chrysostom
““Poverty” (it is said) “humbles a man.” ( Prov. x. 4 , LXX.) And again Christ [says], “Blessed are the poor in spirit.” ( Matt. v. 3.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are the pure in heart, blessed are the merciful.” ( Matt. v. 3, 8, 7.)” — the author cites it
Read the whole comment““Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“Wherefore also, when beginning those divine laws, with this He began.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“Wherefore Christ also begins with it, saying, “Blessed are the poor.”” — editor's note: Matt v. 3; Luke vi. 20.
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Ambrose of Milan
“And, indeed, he was not poor in means, but was so in spirit.” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“Therefore the Lord says in the Gospel: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”” — editor's note: S. Matt. v. 3.
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Hilary of Poitiers
“…kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; or rewards the poor in spirit, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.” — editor's note: Ib. v. 3; cf. Luke vi. 20.
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Aphrahat
“Jesus our Lord said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
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Leo the Great
“A Homily on the Beatitudes, St. Matt. v. 1–9” — the author cites it
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Clement of Alexandria
“But, on the other hand, it blesses “the poor;” as Plato understood when he said, “It is not the diminishing of one’s resources, but the augmenting of insatiableness, that is to be considered poverty; for it…” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
Read the whole comment“Wherefore also Matthew added, “Blessed are the poor.”” — editor's note: Matt. v. 3.
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Catena Aurea on Matthew
- Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Every man in his own trade or profession rejoices when he sees an opportunity of exercising it; the carpenter if he sees a goodly tree desires to have it to cut down to employ his skill on, and the Priest when he…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or He may be thought to have sought to shun the thickest crowd, and to have ascended the mountain that He might speak to His disciples alone.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
By not choosing His seat in the city, and the market place, but on a mountain in a desert, He has taught us to do nothing with ostentation, and to depart from crowds, above all when we are to be employed in…
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
This should be known, that the Lord had three places of retirement that we read of, the ship, the mountain, and the desert; to one of these He was wont to withdraw whenever He was pressed by the multitude.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
Some of the less learned brethren suppose the Lord to have spoken what follows from the Mount of Olives, which is by no means the case; what went before and what follows fixes the place in Galilee - Mount Tabor, [ed.…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“He ascended a mountain,” first, that He might fulfil the prophecy of Esaias, “Get thee up into a mountain;” [Isa 40:9] secondly, to shew that as well he who teaches, as he who hears the righteousness of God should…
Read the whole comment - Hilary of PoitiersCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He ascends the mountain, because it is placed in the loftiness of His Father’s Majesty that He gives the commands of heavenly life.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He ascends the mountain to shew that the precepts of righteousness given by God through the Prophets to the Jews, who were yet under the bondage of fear, were the lesser commandments; but that by His own Son were…
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
He spoke to them sitting and not standing, for they could not have understood Him had He appeared in His own Majesty.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, to teach sitting is the prerogative of the Master. “His disciples came to him,” that they who is spirit approached more nearly to keeping His commandments, should also approach Him nearest with their bodily presence.
Read the whole comment - Rabanus MaurusCatena Aurea on Matthew
Mystically, this sitting down of Christ is His incarnation; had He not taken flesh on Him, mankind could not have come unto Him.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
It cause a thought how it is that Matthew relates this sermon to have been delivered by the Lord sitting on the mountain; Luke, as He stood in the plain. This diversity in their accounts would lead us to think that…
Read the whole comment - Gregory the GreatCatena Aurea on Matthew
When the Lord on the mountain is about to utter His sublime precepts, it is said, “Opening his mouth he taught them,” He who had before opened the mouth of the Prophets.
Read the whole comment - Remigius of AuxerreCatena Aurea on Matthew
Wherever it is said that the Lord opened His mouth, we may know how great things are to follow.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the phrase is introductory of an address longer than ordinary.
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, that we may understand that He sometimes teaches by opening His mouth in speech, sometimes by that voice which resounds from His works.
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Whoever will take the trouble to examine with a pious and sober spirit, will find in this sermon a perfect code of the Christian life as far as relates to the conduct of daily life. Accordingly the Lord concludes it…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
The chief good is the only motive of philosophical enquiry; but whatever confers blessedness, that is the chief good; therefore He begins, “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
Augmentation of ‘spirit’ generally implies insolence and pride. For in common speech the proud are said to have a great spirit, and rightly - for wind is a spirit, and who does not know that we say of proud men that…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, He here calls all loftiness of soul and temper spirit; for as there are many humble against their will, constrained by their outward condition, they have no praise; the blessing is on those who humble themselves…
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” [ed. note, a: The Bened. ed. reads ‘beati egeni’ - and has this marginal note, ‘Hinc sequitur hune Graece non scripsisse’ - but S. Thos. reads ‘beati πτώχοι ptochi;’ it may be…
Read the whole comment - John ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
Or, the poor in spirit may be those who fear and tremble at God’s commandments, whom the Lord by the Prophet Isaiah commends. Though why more than simply humble? Of the humble there may be in this place but few, in…
Read the whole comment - Augustine of HippoCatena Aurea on Matthew
The proud seek an earthly kingdom, of the humble only is the kingdom of Heaven.
Read the whole comment - Pseudo-ChrysostomCatena Aurea on Matthew
For as all other vices, but chiefly pride, casts down to hell; so all other virtues, but chiefly humility, conduct to Heaven; it is proper that he that humbles himself should be exalted.
Read the whole comment - JeromeCatena Aurea on Matthew
The “poor in spirit” are those who embrace a voluntary poverty for the sake of the Holy Spirit.
Read the whole comment - Ambrose of MilanCatena Aurea on Matthew
In the eye of Heaven blessedness begins there where misery begins in human estimation.
Read the whole comment - Glossa OrdinariaCatena Aurea on Matthew
The riches of Heaven are suitably promised to those who at this present are in poverty.
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Cross-references · 46
Cross-reference given by the World English Bible's translators.
Cross-reference given by the World English Bible's translators.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Confessions VI.7 and 1 other place.
Cited together in Catechism §2546.
Cited together in Conferences I–X III.9.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.16.
Cited together in Catechism §2546.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 11.
Cited together in Conferences I–X III.9.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 11.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXI.5.
Cited together in Conferences XVIII–XXIV XXI.5.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.16.
Cited together in Conferences I–X IX.29.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in On the Sermon on the Mount II.11.
Cited together in Conferences I–X X.11.
Cited together in John Chrysostom on Matthew 5:1–3 (2) (Catena Aurea).
Cited together in Conferences I–X III.9 and 1 other place.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.16.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Conferences I–X IX.29.
Cited together in Conferences I–X X.11.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Conferences I–X III.9.
Cited together in Conferences I–X III.9.
Cited together in Confessions XI.1.
Cited together in Conferences I–X IX.29.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 11.
Cited together in On Patience Chapter 11.
Cited together in Confessions VI.7.
Cited together in Conferences I–X X.11.
Cited together in On the Duties of the Clergy I.16.
Cited together in Confessions VIII.6.
Cited together in Conferences I–X IX.29.