What Does Matthew 5:7 Mean?
Matthew 5:7 describes Jesus teaching that those who show mercy will receive mercy from God. This verse is part of the Beatitudes, where Jesus flips worldly values upside down by blessing the humble, the grieving, and the kind. Mercy here means showing compassion, forgiveness, and help to those in need - even when it's not deserved.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Key Facts
Book
Author
Matthew
Genre
Gospel
Date
circa 80-90 AD
Key People
Key Takeaways
- God blesses those who show mercy to others.
- Receiving mercy depends on extending it freely.
- Mercy reflects a heart transformed by God's grace.
Context of Matthew 5:7
Matthew 5:7 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus teaches His disciples and the crowds about the values of God’s kingdom.
This verse comes right after blessings on the humble, the grieving, and those hungry for right living, and before blessings on the pure-hearted and peacemakers. It fits within a larger message where Jesus calls His followers to a deeper righteousness that goes beyond rules and touches the heart.
Mercy means showing kindness and forgiveness to others, even when they don’t deserve it, as God shows us mercy. Jesus is saying that the more freely we give mercy, the more we’ll experience receiving it, both from others and from God.
Meaning of 'Merciful' and the Principle of Reciprocity
Matthew 5:7 is a simple but powerful statement: those who show mercy will receive it in return.
The word 'merciful' comes from the Greek *eleēmon*, meaning someone who shows compassion, especially to those in need or who have wronged them. In Jesus’ time, showing mercy was often seen as a sign of weakness, but He lifts it up as a mark of true strength and kingdom living.
This verse reflects a principle found throughout Scripture - what you give is what you get. Jesus teaches this same idea later in Matthew 6:14-15: 'If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.'
It’s not that we earn God’s mercy by being good enough, but that a heart open to forgiving others shows we’ve truly received God’s forgiveness ourselves. This kind of mercy goes beyond rules - it’s about a relationship with God that changes how we treat people.
The more freely we give mercy, the more we find it coming back to us.
The next section will look at how this call to mercy fits with Jesus’ larger teaching on love and forgiveness in everyday life.
Living Out Mercy: A Heart Changed by Grace
The call to be merciful is a natural response to the grace we have already received from God.
Jesus places this beatitude in the middle of a sermon that redefines true blessing, showing that kingdom life is marked not by power or perfection, but by compassion and humility. When we show mercy - to a friend who let us down, a stranger in need, or even someone who’s hurt us - we reflect the very heart of God, who forgives us long before we earn it.
This truth prepares us for what Jesus says next: that purity of heart and peacemaking flow from the same well of mercy that God pours into us.
Mercy in Action: Rooted in Scripture and Prayer
This beatitude connects directly to other key teachings in the Bible that show mercy is central to living out our faith.
James 2:13 says, 'For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.' This echoes Jesus’ words by reminding us that our attitude toward others reflects our understanding of God’s grace. Likewise, in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, 'Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors' (Matthew 6:12), making it clear that receiving God’s forgiveness is tied to how we forgive others.
Mercy isn’t earned - it’s given, just as God gives it to us.
These passages show that mercy is a daily choice that flows from our relationship with God and shapes how we live.
Application
How This Changes Everything: Real Life Impact
I remember holding onto bitterness toward a friend who canceled plans last minute - again. I told myself I was justified, but inside, I felt heavy. Then I read Matthew 5:7 and realized: I’d been treating her like she had to earn my patience, while God had already given me endless grace. Letting go didn’t mean excusing her actions, but choosing to extend the same kindness I’ve received. That small shift repaired our friendship and lifted a weight off my heart. When we live mercifully, we stop keeping score, and suddenly, life feels lighter, more hopeful, and deeply connected to God’s love.
Personal Reflection
- Is there someone I’m refusing to forgive, and how might my hardness be blocking my own experience of God’s mercy?
- When have I received mercy I didn’t deserve, and how can that memory inspire me to give it freely today?
- What’s one practical way I can show mercy this week through action, not just words?
A Challenge For You
This week, identify one person you’ve been critical of or holding a grudge against. Reach out with a kind word, a forgiving gesture, or a prayer for them. Also, practice pausing before reacting - ask God to help you respond with mercy instead of judgment.
A Prayer of Response
God, thank you for showing me mercy even when I’ve fallen short. Help me let go of my pride and truly forgive others, as you have forgiven me. Soften my heart to see people the way you do - with compassion, not condemnation. Teach me to live this week as someone who’s been loved deeply, so I can love others the same way. Amen.
Related Scriptures & Concepts
Immediate Context
Matthew 5:6
Precedes Matthew 5:7, linking hunger for righteousness with the mercy that flows from it.
Matthew 5:8
Follows Matthew 5:7, showing how mercy leads to purity of heart and seeing God.
Connections Across Scripture
Luke 10:30-37
The Good Samaritan exemplifies practical, costly mercy to a stranger in need.
Hosea 6:6
God values mercy over ritual, a theme Jesus echoes in His teachings.
Matthew 18:21-35
The parable of the unforgiving servant illustrates how mercy received must be given.