The words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount are among the most quoted, yet often the least understood, in the Bible. In Matthew 5, Christ introduces the Beatitudes—statements of blessing that redefine what it means to live a truly blessed life. Instead of applauding wealth, fame, or earthly power, Jesus blesses the poor in spirit, the merciful, the meek, and the persecuted.
One of the most striking of these blessings is found in Matthew 5:9:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9, ESV)
In this short but powerful verse, Jesus delivers a radical teaching. While most people equate blessing with material comfort or outward success, Jesus declares that true blessing belongs to those who actively pursue peace in a divided and hostile world. This peace, however, is not superficial or political—it is deeply spiritual, flowing from God’s own nature and extending into every relationship.
This article explores the depth of Matthew 5:9. We will examine what peace means in the Bible, who peacemakers are, why they are called sons of God, and how Christians today can embody this calling. Along the way, we will see that this verse is not merely a suggestion for certain “peaceful personalities,” but a divine mandate for all who follow Christ.
Understanding Matthew 5:9
The Sermon on the Mount was spoken to a Jewish audience living under Roman occupation. Many were longing for a political Messiah who would overthrow Rome and bring national peace. Yet Jesus’ teaching challenged these expectations by presenting a kingdom that is not built by swords or political strategy but by transformed hearts.
In this setting, when Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” He was not calling His followers to passive nonresistance or silence in the face of injustice. Nor was He advocating for shallow truces. Instead, He was redefining what peace looks like in God’s kingdom—peace rooted in righteousness, reconciliation, and love.
His audience would have understood the Old Testament background of peace, or shalom, not simply as an absence of war but as a fullness of life and harmony with God. Thus, Jesus’ words carried profound implications: the kingdom He inaugurated would be marked not by endless conflict, but by a divine peace that transforms individuals, families, communities, and even nations.
The Biblical Meaning of Peace (Shalom and Eirene)
To grasp Jesus’ teaching, we must understand what the Bible means by peace.
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Shalom (Hebrew): More than the absence of conflict, shalom refers to wholeness, health, prosperity, security, and right relationships with God and people. It is often used to describe the kind of flourishing that comes only from God’s blessing (Psalm 29:11; Isaiah 32:17).
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Eirene (Greek): The New Testament word for peace, often describing harmony between people and reconciliation with God (Romans 5:1; John 14:27).
Peace in Scripture is always relational. It involves restored fellowship with God (vertical peace) and reconciliation with others (horizontal peace). This dual dimension shows why peacemaking is central to the Christian life—because the Gospel itself is about God making peace with humanity through Christ.
Who Are the Peacemakers?
It’s important to note that Jesus did not say, “Blessed are the peace-lovers,” but “Blessed are the peacemakers.” There is a significant difference.
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Peace-lovers may simply desire comfort and avoid conflict.
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Peacemakers actively step into conflict to bring reconciliation, truth, and healing.
Peacemaking is active, courageous, and costly. It often requires humility, sacrifice, and persistence.
Biblical Examples of Peacemakers
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Abraham and Lot (Genesis 13:8–9): Abraham chose humility over pride by letting Lot pick first, thereby preventing strife.
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Moses: As a mediator, Moses constantly interceded for Israel before God.
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Jesus Christ: The ultimate peacemaker, reconciling humanity to God through His death and resurrection (Colossians 1:20).
Peacemakers are not passive—they step into brokenness and actively work to restore harmony. They are agents of God’s kingdom on earth.
The Promise: “They Shall Be Called Sons of God”
Why are peacemakers called “sons of God”?
In the Bible, to be called a “son” often implies bearing the nature and character of the father. Peacemakers are called sons of God because they reflect the very heart of God, who is the supreme peacemaker.
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Romans 8:14: “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.”
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Romans 5:1: “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Just as a child resembles their parent, those who pursue peace resemble their heavenly Father. They are recognized not just by what they say but by how they live—bringing peace wherever they go.
Jesus as the Ultimate Peacemaker
The Beatitude points us directly to Jesus Himself, the perfect example of peacemaking.
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Through the cross: Jesus destroyed the dividing wall of hostility between Jew and Gentile (Ephesians 2:14).
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Through His resurrection: He secured eternal peace with God for all who believe.
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Through His Spirit: He offers believers inner peace, even in the midst of trials (John 14:27; Philippians 4:7).
The life of Jesus shows that peacemaking often requires sacrifice. His peace came through suffering, His reconciliation through the shedding of His blood. As Christians, this means peacemaking will also involve bearing crosses—choosing forgiveness over revenge, truth over silence, and reconciliation over division.
Practical Applications of Peacemaking as Christians
Peacemaking is not abstract; it’s meant to be lived daily. Here are ways Christians can embody this beatitude:
1. Personal Life
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Pursue peace with God through confession and faith (Romans 5:1).
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Seek inner peace by trusting God in times of anxiety (Philippians 4:6–7).
2. Family and Relationships
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Practice forgiveness in marriages and friendships.
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Refuse to let pride dominate family disputes (Colossians 3:13).
3. Church and Community
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Promote unity within the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:3).
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Resolve disputes according to Matthew 18:15–17 rather than gossip or division.
4. Workplace and Society
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Approach conflicts at work with humility and fairness.
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Model Christ-like behavior in a competitive, often hostile culture.
5. Global Peacemaking
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Support reconciliation efforts in war-torn areas.
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Pray for world leaders to pursue justice and peace (1 Timothy 2:1–2).
Conclusion
The words of Jesus—“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God”—remain as challenging today as they were 2,000 years ago.
To be a peacemaker is to reflect the heart of God, who reconciled the world to Himself through Christ. It is to enter brokenness with courage, humility, and love, bringing restoration where there is division. It is to stand in the gap, often at great personal cost, and to point people toward the Prince of Peace.
In a world marked by hostility, division, and violence, the call of Matthew 5:9 is desperately needed. The true sons and daughters of God are not those who wield power or dominate others but those who bring peace, embodying the kingdom of God on earth.
