Sermon on the Mount Facts for Kids

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Bloch (1877)

Major events in Jesus's life in the Gospels
Birth Baptism Temptation Commission of Disciples and Apostles Sermon on the Mount Miracles Entering Jerusalem Cleansing of the Temple Last Supper Promise of the Holy Spirit Arrest and Trial Death and Resurrection Great Commission Ascension Second Coming Prophecy

The Sermon on the Mount is a famous collection of teachings from Jesus Christ. It is found in the Gospel of Matthew in the Bible, specifically in chapters 5, 6, and 7. This sermon shares many important ideas about how Christians should live their lives.

It is one of the longest talks Jesus gave that is written down in the New Testament. Some of his most well-known teachings are part of it, like the Beatitudes and the Lord's Prayer. Many people believe the Sermon on the Mount contains the main ideas of what it means to follow Jesus.

Where Did Jesus Teach This Sermon?
What Are the Main Teachings?
Images for kids
See also

Where Did Jesus Teach This Sermon?

The Sermon on the Mount is found in chapters 5, 6, and 7 of the Gospel of Matthew. This sermon is one of the most quoted parts of the Gospels. The Gospels are the books in the Bible that tell the story of Jesus's life.

This sermon was one of five major talks Jesus gave that are recorded in Matthew's Gospel. It happened early in Jesus's work, after he was baptized by John the Baptist. Before this, Jesus had spent time alone in the desert. He had been tested by Satan there.

Jesus had been traveling and teaching all around a region called Galilee. Large crowds of people followed him everywhere. The Bible says that Jesus saw these crowds and went up onto a mountain. His followers, called disciples, came with him. It was there that he began to teach them.

The exact name of the mountain is not given in the Bible. However, many people believe it was the Mount of Beatitudes. After he finished teaching, Jesus came down from the mountain. The large crowds continued to follow him.

What Are the Main Teachings?

The Sermon on the Mount is full of important lessons. It teaches people how to live a good life and follow God's rules.

The Beatitudes

The Sermon begins with a section called the Beatitudes. The word "Beatitude" means "blessing" or "happiness." In this part, Jesus describes different kinds of people who are "blessed" or truly happy. For example, he says:

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." This means those who know they need God are truly rich.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." This teaches us to work for peace.

These blessings show what kind of character God wants his followers to have. They focus on inner qualities like humility, kindness, and a desire for justice.

Salt and Light

Jesus also told his followers they are like "salt of the earth" and "light of the world."

Being "salt" means they should help preserve good things and add flavor to life.
Being "light" means they should show others the way to God through their good actions.

This teaching encourages Christians to be a positive influence in the world. They should let their good deeds shine for everyone to see.

The Lord's Prayer

One of the most famous parts of the Sermon on the Mount is the Lord's Prayer. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. This prayer is a model for how we should talk to God. It includes:

Praising God's name.
Asking for God's kingdom to come.
Asking for daily needs.
Asking for forgiveness and to forgive others.
Asking for protection from evil.

This prayer helps people connect with God in a meaningful way.

Other Important Lessons

The Sermon on the Mount also covers many other topics. Jesus taught about:

Not being angry: He said that even being angry with someone is like committing murder in your heart.
Love for enemies: He taught people to love those who are mean to them and to pray for them.
Giving to others: He said to give secretly, not to show off.
Not worrying: He told people not to worry about food or clothes, because God will take care of them.
Judging others: He warned against judging others, saying, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
The Golden Rule: He taught, "Do to others what you would have them do to you." This is a simple rule for treating everyone fairly.

These lessons encourage people to live with kindness, forgiveness, and trust in God.