Beatitudes

Is there a ninth Beatitude?

I opened the series on the Beatitudes saying there were nine of them. It is true that, “blessed are” shows up nine times in the first part of Matthew chapter five. But is there really a ninth Beatitude?

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In what some consider the final Beatitude Jesus says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:10–12, NRSV).

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Next in Jesus’ series of blessings is, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9, NRSV).

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Following “blessed are the merciful” comes, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God” (Matthew 5:8, NRSV).

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Mercy is central to the fifth Beatitude. Jesus says, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7, NRSV).

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What does it mean to be righteous? I ask because Jesus continues the Beatitudes with, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled” (Matthew 5:6, NRSV).

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