“And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:”
Here we have a verse usually mistaken by Christians. They assume that the verse (commonly referred to as the start of ‘the beatitudes’) describes Jesus on a mountain side, preaching to a very large crowd. Some of the crowd might have heard what Jesus was saying, but His words were solely for the disciples! He was not preaching to the crowd, but intimately teaching His closest followers, including the apostles.
How do I know? The very words of the text say so! We are told that Jesus went up a mountain after seeing the crowds gathering in the flat area below. He needed to speak only to His disciples. So, when he found a spot and sat down (“set” in the Greek means to sit down), the disciples came to Him and sat around Him.
When they were sitting, Jesus “taught them” – that is, the disciples and not the vast crowd below. Perhaps a few tried to follow, and may have heard some of what Jesus said, but they were not the main ‘audience’ for Jesus that day.
He knew the hearts and condition of the disciples (possibly about 100 in number) and so was able to warn them that they would be reviled: “blessed are ye” (v11). He likened them to prophets of old (v12). This could not be meant for the crowd, many of whom were only there to listen out of curiosity, and others were wicked Pharisees. Nor could they be the “light of the world”!
It might seem a small error to make, but ALL scripture is precious and to be taken as it is given. No error may be tolerated, even of the smallest text, for to allow error is to dismiss the importance of God’s word. An error is also a satanic breach of that word, leading to greater errors and, finally, heresy. Every tiny word is nectar to the soul and worthy to be protected and revered. All are urged to search the word honestly.
© 16 July 2024
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Published on www.christiandoctrine.com
Bible Theology Ministries
Swansea
Wales
United Kingdom