What Does Matthew 5:1 Mean in the King James?
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Discipleship here is movement: learners come near to a teacher who has settled to teach.
THE MEANING
The crowd is present, and the disciples take a distinct step toward Jesus after he sits. Learning appears as a living relation of nearness to a teacher ready to speak. Being among a multitude and drawing near as a learner are different movements.
THE ROOT
μαθηταί
mathētai
GROWS FROM
μανθ-
manth-
To learn, to become acquainted through learning.
The Greek word μαθηταί (mathētai, learners or disciples) places their identity in learning, not simply in membership in a group. The verse makes that learning visible as approach: they come near to the seated teacher.
ALSO GROWS
mathētēs: learner, disciple
μαθητής
This singular form shows that “disciple” names someone in the ongoing relation of learning.
mathēma: lesson, something learned
μάθημα
The same learning family connects the learners’ approach with the teaching they are about to receive.
προσῆλθον
prosēlthon
GROWS FROM
ἐρχ-
erch-
To come or go; with πρός (pros, toward), to come toward or approach.
“came unto” in this verse is prosēlthon. The verb describes directed movement toward someone, not mere presence nearby. The disciples’ relation to the teacher is expressed through the act of approaching him.
ALSO GROWS
proserchomai: approach, come near
προσέρχομαι
This related form makes the toward-motion in “came unto him” explicit.
eiserchomai: enter, go in
εἰσέρχομαι
This compound uses the same coming stem for movement into a place, showing how the stem takes its direction from its prefix.
THE PATTERN
Instruction takes hold as people gather their attention to hear and learn.
Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law.And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.THE THREAD
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,Verse 1 ends with the learners drawing near; verse 2 shows what that approach meets: Jesus opens his mouth and teaches. Their movement toward him becomes a relationship of listening.
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