Matthew 5:3

King James Version

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
"Great blessings belong to those who know they are spiritually in need. God's kingdom belongs to them.

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Blessed are the povre in sprete: for theirs is the kyngdome of heven.

International Standard Version
"How blessed are those who are destitute in spirit,Psalm 51:17; Proverbs 16:19; 29:23; Isaiah 57:15; 66:2; Luke 6:20;">[xr] for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

New American Standard Bible
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

New Century Version
"They are blessed who realize their spiritual poverty, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

Update Bible Version
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Amplified Bible
"Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

English Standard Version
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

World English Bible
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
saying, Happy are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Weymouth's New Testament
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for to them belongs the Kingdom of the Heavens.

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Blessed ben pore men in spirit, for the kyngdom of heuenes is herne.

English Revised Version
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Berean Standard Bible
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Contemporary English Version
God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!

American Standard Version
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Bible in Basic English
Happy are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.

Complete Jewish Bible
"How blessed are the poor in spirit! for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

Darby Translation
Blessed [are] the poor in spirit, for *theirs* is the kingdom of the heavens.

Etheridge Translation
BLESSED (are) the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Murdock Translation
Blessed are the poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven is theirs!

King James Version (1611)
Blessed are the poore in spirit: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

New Living Translation
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

New Life Bible
"Those who know there is nothing good in themselves are happy, because the holy nation of heaven is theirs.

New Revised Standard
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Geneva Bible (1587)
Blessed are the poore in spirit, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

George Lamsa Translation
Blessed are the poor in pride, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Happy, the destitute, in spirit; for, theirs, is the kingdom of the heavens;

Douay-Rheims Bible
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Revised Standard Version
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Blessed (are) the poore in spirite: for theirs is the kyngdome of heauen.

Good News Translation
"Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

Christian Standard Bible®
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,

Hebrew Names Version
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Lexham English Bible
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Literal Translation
Blessed are the poor in spirit! For theirs is the kingdom of the Heavens.

Young's Literal Translation
`Happy the poor in spirit -- because theirs is the reign of the heavens.

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Blessed are the poore in sprete: for theirs is the kyngdome of heue.

Mace New Testament (1729)
Blessed are they, that are of an humble spirit, for of such is the kingdom of the Messias.

THE MESSAGE
"You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.

New English Translation
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.

New King James Version
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Simplified Cowboy Version
"God takes mighty good care of those folks who don't have anything to depend on except him.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Legacy Standard Bible
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Contextual Overview

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.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Blessed: Matthew 5:4-11, Matthew 11:6, Matthew 13:16, Matthew 24:46, Psalms 1:1, Psalms 2:12, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 32:2, Psalms 41:1, Psalms 84:12, Psalms 112:1, Psalms 119:1, Psalms 119:2, Psalms 128:1, Psalms 146:5, Proverbs 8:32, Isaiah 30:18, Luke 6:20, Luke 6:21-26, Luke 11:28, John 20:29, Romans 4:6-9, James 1:12, Revelation 19:9, Revelation 22:14

the poor: Matthew 11:25, Matthew 18:1-3, Leviticus 26:41, Leviticus 26:42, Deuteronomy 8:2, 2 Chronicles 7:14, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:19, 2 Chronicles 33:23, 2 Chronicles 34:27, Job 42:6, Psalms 34:18, Psalms 51:17, Proverbs 16:19, Proverbs 29:23, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 61:1, Isaiah 66:2, Jeremiah 31:18-20, Daniel 5:21, Daniel 5:22, Micah 6:8, Luke 4:18, Luke 6:20, Luke 18:14, James 1:10, James 4:9, James 4:10

for: Matthew 3:2, Matthew 8:11, Mark 10:14, James 2:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 11:27 - General Ruth 2:7 - I pray 2 Samuel 22:28 - afflicted Psalms 10:17 - humble Psalms 24:5 - receive Psalms 72:13 - shall save Psalms 86:1 - for I am Proverbs 18:23 - poor Isaiah 29:19 - the poor Isaiah 41:17 - the poor Joel 2:13 - rend Zephaniah 3:12 - leave Matthew 5:10 - for Matthew 7:24 - whosoever Matthew 11:5 - the poor Matthew 16:17 - Blessed Matthew 23:12 - General Matthew 25:34 - Come Mark 7:29 - General Ephesians 4:2 - lowliness 1 Timothy 4:8 - having Hebrews 6:9 - things Revelation 3:17 - wretched

Cross-References

Genesis 4:25
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.

Genesis 5:2
Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Genesis 5:3
And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth:

Genesis 5:14
And all the days of Cainan were nine hundred and ten years: and he died.

Genesis 5:16
And Mahalaleel lived after he begat Jared eight hundred and thirty years, and begat sons and daughters:

Job 14:4
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.

Job 25:4
How then can man be justified with God? or how can he be clean that is born of a woman?

Psalms 51:5
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Luke 1:35
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Blessed are the poor in spirit,.... Not the poor in purse, or who are so with respect to things temporal: for though God has chosen and called many, who are in such a condition of life, yet not all; the kingdom of heaven cannot be said to belong to them all, or only; but such as are poor in a spiritual sense. All mankind are spiritually poor; they have nothing to eat that is fit and proper; nor any clothes to wear, but rags; nor are they able to purchase either; they have no money to buy with; they are in debt, owe ten thousand talents, and have nothing to pay; and in such a condition, that they are not able to help themselves. The greater part of mankind are insensible of this their condition; but think themselves rich, and increased with goods: there are some who are sensible of it, who see their poverty and want, freely acknowledge it, bewail it, and mourn over it; are humbled for it, and are broken under a sense of it; entertain low and mean thoughts of themselves; seek after the true riches, both of grace and glory; and frankly acknowledge, that all they have, or hope to have, is owing to the free grace of God. Now these are the persons intended in this place; who are not only "poor", but are poor "in spirit"; in their own spirits, in their own sense, apprehension, and judgment: and may even be called "beggars", as the word may be rendered; for being sensible of their poverty, they place themselves at the door of mercy, and knock there; their language is, "God be merciful"; their posture is standing, watching, and waiting, at wisdom's gates, and at the posts of her door; they are importunate, will have no denial, yet receive the least favour with thankfulness. Now these are pronounced "blessed", for this reason,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven; not only the Gospel, and the ministration of it, which belongs to them. "The poor have the Gospel preached": it not only reaches their ears, but their hearts; it enters into them, is applied unto them, they receive and embrace it with the utmost joy and gladness; but eternal glory, this is prepared for them, and given to them; they are born heirs of it, have a right unto it, are making meet for it, and shall enjoy it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Blessed are the poor in spirit - The word “blessed” means “happy,” referring to that which produces felicity, from whatever quarter it may come.

Poor in spirit - Luke says simply, Blessed are the poor. It has been disputed whether Christ meant the poor in reference to the things of this life, or to the humble. The gospel is said to be preached to the poor, Luke 4:18; Matthew 11:5. It was predicted that the Messiah would preach to the poor, Isaiah 61:1. It is said that they have special facilities for being saved, Matthew 19:23; Luke 18:24. The state of such persons is therefore comparatively blessed, or happy. Riches produce care, anxiety, and dangers, and not the least is the danger of losing heaven by them. To be poor in spirit is to have a humble opinion of ourselves; to be sensible that we are sinners, and have no righteousness of our own; to be willing to be saved only by the rich grace and mercy of God; to be willing to be where God places us, to bear what he lays on us, to go where he bids us, and to die when he commands; to be willing to be in his hands, and to feel that we deserve no favor from him. It is opposed to pride, and vanity, and ambition. Such are happy:

1. Because there is more real enjoyment in thinking of ourselves as we are, than in being filled with pride and vanity.
2. Because such Jesus chooses to bless, and on them he confers his favors here.
3. Because theirs will be the kingdom of heaven hereafter.

It is remarkable that Jesus began his ministry in this manner, so unlike all others. Other teachers had taught that happiness was to be found in honor, or riches, or splendor, or sensual pleasure. Jesus overlooked all those things, and fixed his eye on the poor and the humble, and said that happiness was to be found in the lowly vale of poverty more than in the pomp and splendors of life.

Theirs is the kingdom of heaven - That is, either they have special facilities for entering the kingdom of heaven, and of becoming Christians here, or they shall enter heaven hereafter. Both these ideas are probably included. A state of poverty a state where we are despised or unhonored by people is a state where people are most ready to seek the comforts of religion here, and a home in the heavens hereafter. See the notes at Matthew 2:2.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 5:3. Blessed are the poor in spirit, c.] Or, happy, μακαριοι from μα or μη, not, and κηρ, fate, or death: intimating, that such persons were endued with immortality, and consequently were not liable to the caprices of fate. Homer, Iliad i, 330, calls the supreme gods, Θεων μακαρων, the ever happy and IMMORTAL gods, and opposes them to θνητων ανθρωπων, mortal men.

τω δ' αυτω μαρτυροι εστων

Προς τε Θεων μακαρων, προς τε θνητων ανθροπων.

"Be ye witnesses before the immortal gods, and before mortal men."

From this definition we may learn, that the person whom Christ terms happy is one who is not under the influence of fate or chance, but is governed by an all-wise providence, having every step directed to the attainment of immortal glory, being transformed by the power into the likeness of the ever-blessed God. Though some of the persons, whose states are mentioned in these verses, cannot be said to be as yet blessed or happy, in being made partakers of the Divine nature yet they are termed happy by our Lord, because they are on the straight way to this blessedness.

Taken in this light the meaning is similar to that expressed by the poet when describing a happy man.

FELIX, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas:

Atque metus omnes et inexorabile FATUM

Subjecit pedibus; strepitumque Acherontis avari!

Virg. Geor. ii. v. 490.

Which may be thus paraphrased: -

"Happy is he who gains the knowledge of the first cause of all things; who can trample on every fear, and the doctrine of inexorable FATE; and who is not terrified by death, nor by the threatened torments of the invisible world!"

Poor in spirit — One who is deeply sensible of his spiritual poverty and wretchedness. πτωχος, a poor man, comes from πτωσσω, to tremble, or shrink with fear. Being destitute of the true riches, he is tremblingly alive to the necessities of his soul, shrinking with fear lest he should perish without the salvation of God. Such Christ pronounces happy, because there is but a step between them and that kingdom which is here promised. Some contend, that μακαριοι should be referred to, πνευματι, and the verse translated thus: Happy, or blessed in spirit, are the poor. But our Lord seems to have the humiliation of the spirit particularly in view.

Kingdom of heaven. — Or, των ουρανων, of the heavens. A participation of all the blessings of the new covenant here, and the blessings of glory above. See this phrase explained, Clarke's notes "Matthew 3:2". Blessed are the poor! this is God's word; but who believes it? Do we not say, Yea, rather, Blessed is the rich?

The Jewish rabbins have many good sayings relative to that poverty and humility of spirit which Christ recommends in this verse. In the treatise called Bammidbar Rabbi, s. 20, we have these words: There were three (evils) in Balaam: the evil eye, (envy,) the towering spirit, (pride,) and the extensive mind (avarice.)

Tanchum, fol. 84. The law does not abide with those who have the extensive mind, (avarice,) but with him only who has a contrite heart.

Rabbi Chanina said, "Why are the words of the law compared to water? Because as waters flow from heights, and settle in low places, so the words of the law rest only with him who is of an humble heart." See Schoettgen.