· Translation: KJV

Matthew 5:7Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

The setting

Hillside near Capernaum, Israel, ~28 AD. Jesus sits teaching thousands gathered on grassy slopes overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

The emotion here: passionate urgency to overturn religious legalism

The original word

eleēmones (ἐλεήμονες) — those who actively show compassion, not just feel it

Why it matters

Roman law allowed creditors to sell debtors' children into slavery for unpaid debts

Read with care

What most readers miss in Matthew 5:7

This comes right after 'hunger and thirst for righteousness' — mercy flows from being desperate for God's grace yourself

Common misconceptionPeople think this means being soft or avoiding consequences. But mercy isn't avoiding justice — it's choosing grace when you have the power to punish.

Bible Genome reading

Matthew 5:7 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerJesus
Eragospel
Primary emotiongrowing
Literary typewisdom
MarkPromise of God

Emotional genome

Comfort power60%
Quotability85%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance70%
Standalone80%
Themes:mercyreciprocity

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Matthew 5

Matthew 5:7 comes from the book of Matthew, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is growing, with a comfort power of 60% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include mercy, reciprocity. Notable phrases: the merciful; obtain mercy. This verse contains a promise of God.

Your reflection

What does Matthew 5:7 mean to you, today?

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