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Matthew 5:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, a central collection of his ethical teachings, delivered to his disciples and a large crowd. It introduces a counter-cultural understanding of what it means to be truly 'blessed' or flourishing.
What does 'making peace' look like in situations where one side is deeply entrenched or unwilling to compromise?
Then — the setting
This teaching was delivered by Jesus in Galilee, likely in the early 1st century CE, to Jewish people living under Roman occupation. The concept of 'blessed' (Greek: makarios) in this context didn't just mean happy, but 'divinely favored' or 'fortunate in a spiritual sense'. Peacemaking, in this environment, wasn't about simply avoiding conflict, but actively working towards reconciliation and justice, often in highly fractured social and political landscapes.
Across the Testaments
The Old Testament deeply values 'shalom' (peace), which is far more than the absence of conflict; it signifies wholeness, well-being, and flourishing, often tied to justice and right relationships (e.g., Isaiah 32:17). Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:9 builds upon this rich Hebrew concept of shalom, extending it to an active, intentional engagement in resolving disputes and fostering reconciliation. While the Old Testament often speaks of God bringing peace through judgment or a chosen leader, Jesus here empowers individuals to embody this divine attribute, calling them 'children of God' for their peacemaking efforts. The New Testament further develops this, often connecting peace to the work of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and portraying Christ as the ultimate peacemaker who reconciles humanity to God and to each other (Ephesians 2:14-18).
Keep thinking
Read alongside it
It connects peacemaking with righteousness and a harvest of justice.
This verse encourages striving for peace with all people, as far as it depends on you.
It suggests that when people please the Lord, even their enemies may be at peace with them.
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