Editing Sermon on the Mount (section)

== Background and setting ==
{{Further|Ministry of Jesus}}
The Sermon on the Mount is placed relatively early in Matthew's portrayal of [[Ministry of Jesus|Jesus's ministry]]—following, in chapter 3, his [[Baptism of Jesus|baptism]] by [[John the Baptist|John]] and, in chapter 4, his sojourn and [[Temptation of Christ|temptation]] in the desert, his call of four disciples, and his early preaching in [[Galilee]].

The [[Five Discourses of Matthew|five discourses in the Gospel of Matthew]] are: the Sermon on the Mount (5-7), the discourse on discipleship ([[Matthew 10|10]]), the discourse of parables ([[Matthew 13|13]]), the discourse on the community of faith ([[Matthew 18|18]]), and the discourse on future events ([[Matthew 24|24]]-[[Matthew 25|25]]).<ref>''The Gospel of Matthew'' by Craig S. Keener 2009 {{ISBN|978-0-8028-6498-7}} pp.&nbsp;37–38.</ref> Also, like all the other "discourses", this one has Matthew's concluding statement (7:28-29) that distinguishes it from the material that follows. For similar statements at the end of the other discourses, see [[Matthew 11:1|11:1]]; [[Matthew 13:53|13:53]]; [[Matthew 19:1|19:1]]; [[Matthew 26:1|26:1]].

Traditionally, the [[Mount of Beatitudes]] has been commemorated by Christians as the physical site at which the sermon took place.<ref>''Oxford Archaeological Guide: The Holy Land''. 4th edition, 2008. p 279. {{ISBN|0-19-288013-6}}</ref> Other locations, such as [[Mount Arbel]] and the [[Horns of Hattin]], have also been suggested as possibilities.{{citation needed|date=January 2025}}

This sermon is one of the most widely quoted sections of the [[canonical gospel]]s,<ref name="VaughtPref" /> including some of the best-known sayings attributed to Jesus, such as the [[Beatitudes]] and the commonly recited version of the [[Lord's Prayer]]. It also contains what many consider to be the central tenets of [[Christian discipleship]].<ref name="VaughtPref" />

The setting for the sermon is given in [[Matthew 5:1]]-[[Matthew 5:2|2]]. There, Jesus is said to see the crowds, to go up the mountain accompanied by his disciples, to sit down, and to begin his speech.<ref>Although the speeches in Matthew 5-7 and in Luke 6 both begin with beatitudes and end with the parable of the two builders, the settings are interestingly different but involve the same components. Whereas Matthew has Jesus go up the mountain with his disciples, sit, and deliver his speech to the crowds, Luke (6:17) describes him coming down from the mountain with his disciples, standing on a level place, and speaking to the crowds.</ref> He comes down from the mountain in [[Matthew 8:1]].