1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, (Matthew 5:1-2 KJV)
William Burkitt’s Commentary
Observe here, 1. The preacher; he, that is, Christ, the great prophet and teacher of his church.
Observe, 2. The place where he preached, upon a mountain; probably for convenience to himself, and advantage to his auditors; though some will have a mystery in it; that as the law at first was given on a mountain, so Christ would now explain it upon a mountain; or to show the sublimity of his doctrine and precepts.
Observe, 3. The posture in which he preached, sitting: When he was set, he taught, according to the custom of the Jewish doctors who sat, to shew their authority.
Observe, 4. The sermon itself, which begins with beatitudes and blessings, and is accompanied with promises of reward. Not as the law was delivered on Mount Sinai, with threatenings and thunder, with fire and earthquake, but in a still and soft voice. Our Lord’s lips are full of grace, they drop as the honeycomb. Blessings and promises are our encouragements to obedience.