What’s the main idea behind the “sermon of the mount”?

The Sermon on the Mount is the sermon that Jesus gave in Matthew chapters 5–7. Matthew 5:1–2 is the reason it is known as the Sermon on the Mount: “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,”

The Sermon on the Mount is the most famous sermon Jesus ever gave. The Sermon on the Mount covers several different topics. It is not the purpose of this article to comment on every section, but rather to give a brief summary of what it contains. If we were to summarize the main idea of the Sermon on the Mount in a single sentence, it would be — How to live a life that is dedicated to and pleasing to God, free from hypocrisy, full of love and grace, full of wisdom and discernment.

Matthew 5:3–12 — The Beatitudes
Matthew 5:13–16 — Salt and Light
Matthew 5:17–20 — Jesus fulfilled the Law
Matthew 5:21–26 — Anger and Murder
Matthew 5:27–30 — Lust and Adultery
Matthew 5:31–32 — Divorce and Remarriage
Matthew 5:33–37 — Oaths
Matthew 5:38–42 — Eye for an Eye
Matthew 5:43–48 — Love your enemies
Matthew 6:1–4 — Give to the Needy
Matthew 6:5–15 — How to Pray
Matthew 6:16–18 — How to Fast
Matthew 6:19–24 — Treasures in Heaven
Matthew 6:25–34 — Do not worry
Matthew 7:1–6 — Do not judge hypocritically
Matthew 7:7–12 — Ask, Seek, Knock
Matthew 7:13–14 — The Narrow Gate
Matthew 7:15–23 — False Prophets
Matthew 7:24–27 — The Wise Builder

The Sermon on the Mount concludes with the following: “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” Matthew 7:28–29