his disciples
Matthew 5:1
5:1 his disciples. The Sermon on the Mount, as the teachings of Christ in Matthew 5, 6, and 7 have been called, was directed only to “His disciples,” not to the “multitudes.” In a sense, this was during a transitional period between the Mosaic economy (or dispensation) in Israel and the Christian economy which applied to both Jew and Gentiles. In all economies, however, one’s eternal salvation is based on faith in the Word of God and His work of redemption, not on obedience to moral laws. Such laws are guidelines for happiness in this world and rewards in the future world for those who are regenerate believers. The disciples were believers, and the Sermon on the Mount should be understood essentially in this light.