What is the purpose of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount?

The Sermon on the Mount serves primarily as a platform for Jesus to convey essential moral teachings and ethical guidelines for living a virtuous life. In this sermon, found in the Book of Matthew, Jesus addresses a range of topics, such as love, forgiveness, humility, and righteousness. He emphasizes the importance of inner character over mere outward adherence to the law, calling for a transformative approach to how individuals relate to God and to one another.

The teachings presented in this sermon are foundational to Christian ethics and are meant to guide adherents in their personal and communal lives. They provide a framework for understanding the spirit of the law rather than adhering strictly to its letter, promoting ideals like love for enemies and the practice of humility.

While the sermon may touch upon Jewish law, its primary intent is not to critique it directly but to deepen the understanding of how it applies in the context of a burgeoning Christian faith. It also does not focus on establishing church hierarchy or outlining the Old Testament, as those subjects are outside the scope of the Sermon on the Mount’s moral and ethical focus.