Matthew 5 · Verse 9

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:9, King James Version

Matthew 5:9 in other translations

BSBBlessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
WEBBlessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
ASVBlessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God.
YLT‘Happy the peacemakers--because they shall be called Sons of God.
DARBYBlessed the peace-makers, for they shall be called sons of God.
BBEHappy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God.
WebsterBlessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called children of God.

What does Matthew 5:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. Blessed are the peacemakers--who not only study peace, but diffuse it. for they shall be called the children of God--shall be called sons of God. Of all these beatitudes this is the only one which could hardly be expected to find its definite ground in the Old Testament; for that most glorious character of God, the likeness of which appears in the peacemakers, had yet to be revealed. His glorious name, indeed--as "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin"--had been proclaimed in a very imposing manner (Ex 34:6), and manifested in action with affecting frequency and variety in the long course of the ancient economy. And we have undeniable evidence that the saints of that economy felt its transforming and ennobling influence on their own character. But it was not till Christ "made peace by the blood of the cross" that God could manifest Himself as "the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant" (He 13:20)--could reveal Himself as "in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them," and hold Himself forth in the astonishing attitude of beseeching men to be "reconciled to Himself" (2Co 5:19, 20). When this reconciliation actually takes place, and one has "peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ"--even "the peace of God which passeth all understanding"--the peace-receivers become transformed into peace-diffusers. God is thus seen reflected in them; and by the family likeness these peacemakers are recognized as the children of God. In now coming to the eighth, or supplementary beatitude, it will be seen that all that the saints are in themselves has been already described, in seven features of character; that number indicating completeness of delineation. The last feature, accordingly, is a passive one, representing the treatment that the characters already described may expect from the world. He who shall one day fix the destiny of all men here pronounces certain characters "blessed"; but He ends by forewarning them that the world's estimation and treatment of them will be the reserve of His.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 9. Blessed are the peacemakers. Those who strive to prevent contention, and strife, and war. Who use their influence to reconcile opposing parties, and to prevent lawsuits, and hostilities, in families and neighbourhoods. Every man may do something of this; and no man is more like God than he who does it. There ought not to be unlawful and officious interference in that which is none of our but, has business; without any danger of acquiring this character, every man many opportunities of reconciling opposing parties. Friends, neighbours, men of influence, lawyers, physicians, may do much to promote peace. And it should be taken in hand in the beginning. "The beginning of strife," says Solomon, "is like the letting out of water." "An ounce of prevention," says the English proverb, "is worth a pound of cure." Long and most deadly quarrels might be prevented by a little kind interference in the beginning. Children of God. Those who resemble God, or who manifest a spirit like his. He is the Author of peace, (1Cor 14:33) and all those who endeavour to promote peace are like him, and are worthy to be called his children.

(e) "peacemakers" Ps 34:14

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 The peace-makers - Ειρηνη, peace, is compounded of ειρειν (εις) ἑν, connecting into one: for as War distracts and divides nations, families, and individuals, from each other, inducing them to pursue different objects and different interests, so Peace restores them to a state of unity, giving them one object, and one interest. A peace-maker is a man who, being endowed with a generous public spirit, labors for the public good, and feels his own interest promoted in promoting that of others: therefore, instead of fanning the fire of strife, he uses his influence and wisdom to reconcile the contending parties, adjust their differences, and restore them to a state of unity. As all men are represented to be in a state of hostility to God and each other, the Gospel is called the Gospel of peace, because it tends to reconcile men to God and to each other. Hence our Lord here terms peace-makers the children of God: for as he is the Father of peace, those who promote it are reputed his children. But whose children are they who foment divisions in the Church, the state, or among families? Surely they are not of that God, who is the Father of peace, and lover of concord; of that Christ, who is the sacrifice and mediator of it; of that Spirit, who is the nourisher and bond of peace; nor of that Church of the Most High, which is the kingdom and family of peace. St. Clement, Strom. lib. iv. s. 6, in fin. says, that "Some who transpose the Gospels add this verse: Happy they who are persecuted by justice, for they shall be perfect: happy they who are persecuted on my account, for they shall have a place where they shall not be persecuted."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 5:3-12

Our Saviour here gives eight characters of blessed people, which represent to us the principal graces of a Christian. 1. The poor in spirit are happy. These bring their minds to their condition, when it is a low condition. They are humble and lowly in their own eyes. They see their want, bewail their guilt, and thirst after a Redeemer. The kingdom of grace is of such; the kingdom of glory is for them. 2. Those that…

Read the full comment on Matthew 5:3-12 →

Matthew 5:9 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜακάριοιMakarioiBlessed [are]G3107
οἱhoitheG3588
εἰρηνοποιοί,eirēnopoioipeacemakers,G1518
ὅτιhotiforG3754
αὐτοὶautoithey themselvesG846
υἱοὶhuioisonsG5207
θεοῦtheouof GodG2316
κληθήσονται.¶klēthēsontaiwill be called.G2564

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 5:9

  • Hebrews 12:14

    Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

  • James 3:16-18

    For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

  • Romans 12:18

    If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

  • Galatians 5:22

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

  • Psalms 120:6

    My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

  • Romans 8:14

    For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

  • Luke 6:35

    But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

  • Romans 14:17-19

    For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

  • Ephesians 5:1-2

    Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:11

    Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

  • James 1:19-20

    Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

  • Psalms 122:6-8

    Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
are.
1Ch 12:17; Ps 34:12; 120:6; 122:6-8; Ac 7:26; Ro 12:18; 14:1-7
Ro 14:17-19; 1Co 6:6; 2Co 5:20; 13:11; Ga 5:22; Eph 4:1; Php 2:1-3
Php 4:2; Col 3:13; 2Ti 2:22-24; Heb 12:14; Jas 1:19,20; 3:16-18
for.
45,48; Ps 82:6,7; Lu 6:35; 20:36; Eph 5:1,2; Php 2:15,16
1Pe 1:14-16

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Matthew 5:8

    Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

  • Matthew 5:9

    Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

  • Matthew 5:10

    Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Read all of Matthew 5

Matthew 5:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Bienaventurados los pacificadores: porque ellos serán llamados hijos de Dios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		bienheureux ceux qui procurent la paix, car c’est eux qui seront appelés fils de Dieu;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Glückselig die Friedensstifter, denn sie werden Söhne Gottes heißen.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Beati pacifici: quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur.