How Well Do You Know Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?

By: Brittany Rowland
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
How Well Do You Know Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount?
Image: Unsplash by Ben White

About This Quiz

The Sermon on the Mount, which appears in Matthew, chapters 5-7, contains the basic teachings of Christianity as laid out by Jesus himself. This sermon is the longest uninterrupted speech by Jesus in the Bible and includes many of his most famous sayings. If you've read quotes from Jesus in other sources, odds are good they're from the Sermon on the Mount.

So what are the basic components of this well-known sermon? Jesus starts with the Beatitudes, a series of blessings for people who demonstrate the qualities desired by God: meekness, merciful, pure in heart and so on. He then explains how he has come to fulfill the law, which is the law that Moses gave the Jews in the Old Testament. Jesus also spends a good deal of time noting the difference between those who perform good works for attention and praise and those who do them with sincerity and humbleness. Guess which is better!

For centuries, theologians and religious leaders like Saint Augustine have studied the Sermon on the Mount as the basis of Christian ethics. In other words, Jesus tells his followers exactly how they should live a good life according to God's will in this sermon. See how much of the Sermon of the Mount you remember. If you do well, rejoice and be glad and tell all your friends!

1 bible
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The Sermon on the Mount is recorded in which Gospel?
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus' Sermon on the Mount appears in Matthew chapters 5-7. The sermon is Jesus' longest speech on record and lays out the basic tenets of Christian belief that are still followed today.

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3 man in field
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Jesus begins by describing the people who are "blessed." These sayings are collectively known as what?
The Lord's Prayer
The sacraments
The parables
The Beatitudes
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Beatitudes are eight blessings that Jesus lists at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. Each Beatitude starts with "Blessed are..." and describes people who will find happiness through God.

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4 sheep
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According to Jesus, who will inherit the earth?
The poor in spirit
The meek
The merciful
The peacemakers
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Matthew 5:5 states, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." With this Beatitude, Jesus turns people's expectations on their head by asserting that the quiet, submissive ones will have power.

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5 jesus
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Jesus says he has not come to destroy the law, but to do what?
Rule
Save
Fulfill
Preach
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Matthew 5:17, Jesus has come to fulfill the law, not destroy it. This verse is one of the most debated in the Bible because it suggests a relationship between the Old Testament and the New.

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6 cross
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Jesus warns that those who say this word to their brother will "be in danger of the council." What's the word?
Raca
Fool
Enemy
Scoundrel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Jesus' time, "raca" was an insult meaning "worthless." Jesus says that people who kill shall face judgment, but so will people who express anger to their brother without just cause.

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7 bible
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In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says to do this to your enemies. What is it?
Hate them
Fight them
Avoid them
Love them
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus counters the idea that people should love their friends and hate their enemies. Instead, he tells his followers to love and pray for those who wrong them. After all, anyone can love only their friends.

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Which of the following quotes by Jesus comes from the Sermon on the Mount?
"I am the way and the truth and the life."
"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
"If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also."
"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus argues against seeking retribution for being wronged. Instead of "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth," Jesus tells people to turn the other cheek when insulted.

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9 prayer
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Which of these is not one of the groups blessed in the Beatitudes?
Those who mourn
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
The pure in heart
Those who seek the truth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Beatitudes name the groups of people, normally thought to be unfortunate ones, who are actually blessed, or happy. For instance, those who mourn will be comforted, and the meek shall gain the earth.

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10 bible
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What does Jesus call his followers in Matthew 5:13?
Fishers of men
Salt of the earth
The light of the world
Children of God
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In this verse, Jesus uses a metaphor, calling people the salt of the earth. However, if the salt loses its flavor, it's useless and gets thrown out. Today, "salt of the earth" is a common expression.

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11 eye
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Jesus says if your eye causes you to stumble, you should do what?
Fix it
Pluck it out
Wear glasses
Wear a blindfold
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Matthew 5:29-30, Jesus says that a person should pull out their eye if it causes them to sin, rather than have their whole body sent to hell. The verses are harsh but meant to save people from sin.

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12 jesus
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Approximately how old was Jesus when he gave the Sermon on the Mount?
25
30
33
38
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Luke 3:23, Jesus was around 30 when he started his ministry. Because the Sermon on the Mount occurred early in his ministry, soon after his baptism, we can assume he was about 30.

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13 give bread
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According to Jesus, how do the hypocrites give to the needy?
In private
By throwing bags of money
With fanfare
With great reluctance
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus criticizes the hypocrites who blow trumpets to call attention to their almsgiving. They give to the needy in a showy manner to gain attention, honor and praise.

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14 pray
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Jesus tells his followers to pray where?
On the street corner
In the temple
In their room
In the desert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus says that people who pray in a showy manner are seeking the "reward" of other people's respect. He says that people should instead pray in private, and God will reward them.

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15 rosary
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Can you finish this part of the Lord's Prayer? "Our father who art in heaven..."
Thy kingdom come
Give us this day our daily bread.
But deliver us from evil
Hallowed be thy name
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus tells people how to pray the Lord's Prayer, one of the best-known prayers in Christianity. It starts by addressing God as a heavenly father and saying that his name is holy.

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Jesus delivers the sermon at what location?
A river
A mountain
A city
A desert
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Matthew 5:1 states that when Jesus saw a multitude of people following him, he went up into a mountain to begin preaching. Thus, his sermon got its famous name, the Sermon on the Mount.

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16 crucifix
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In Matthew 6:14, Jesus says that God will forgive you if you do what?
Sin no more
Forgive others
Repent humbly
Give away all your possessions
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

After reciting the Lord's Prayer, Jesus stresses the idea that people must forgive others if they expect God to forgive them. And he warns that those who don't forgive others won't be forgiven either.

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17 cross
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According to Jesus in Matthew 6:24, people can't serve both God and what other "master"?
Money
The king
Parents
Friends
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus tells people to worry more about worshiping God than hoarding treasures on earth. He warns that people can't focus on serving the "master" of money and also give God his just due.

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18 manger
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To prove that God will provide, in Matthew 6:26 Jesus points out that God takes care of what animals?
Rabbits
Lambs
Lions
Birds
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

"Stop worrying so much" is the message Jesus tries to impart in Matthew 6:25-34. Birds don't worry about growing or harvesting food the way people do, yet God feeds them. And he'll take care of people, too.

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19 church
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Jesus compares the flowers to which famous king in Matthew 6:29?
Solomon
David
Saul
Josiah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus tells people not to worry so much about what to wear. After all, flowers in the field don't worry about clothes and they are "dressed" in more splendor than King Solomon ever was.

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20 pray
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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers which prayer?
Glory Be
Our Father
Hail Mary
Apostles' Creed
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus teaches his listeners the Our Father, or the Lord's Prayer, during the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus says it's not necessary to "babble like pagans," but better to pray with these words.

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21 bible
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Bible scholars frequently compare the Sermon on the Mount to which other sermon found in the Gospel of Luke?
Sermon at the Sea
Sermon in Jerusalem
Sermon on the Plain
Sermon in the Cave
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Luke 6 contains the Sermon on the Plain, which is similar in content to the Sermon on the Mount but much shorter. Bible scholars debate whether they were different accounts of the same event.

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22 wash face
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Wash your face! Jesus instructs his followers to make themselves presentable when doing what activity?
Making a pilgrimage
Going to temple
Praying
Fasting
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Instead of looking solemn and miserable when fasting, like the hypocrites do, Jesus says people should keep their fasting a private manner. By being discreet, they will receive their reward from God.

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23 body
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According to the Sermon on the Mount, which body part is the "lamp of the body"?
Mouth
Eyes
Ears
Arms
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Matthew 6:22, Jesus states that "The eye is the lamp of the body." Some readers interpret this verse to mean that the eye, or one's conscience, guides people through the darkness.

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24 eye
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If you point out the speck in your brother's eye, you might not notice which thing in your own eye?
A cataract
An eyelash
A beam
A tear
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus preaches against hypocrisy. Here, he uses hyperbole to make the point that people should focus on their own flaws instead of always pointing out other people's.

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25 prayer
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According to Jesus, people shouldn't cast pearls before which animals?
Swine
Dogs
Cats
Oysters
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

In Jesus' society, pigs were considered unclean animals. Thus, throwing valuable pearls to the pigs would be unheard of. Bible scholars have come up with multiple interpretations of this puzzling metaphor.

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26 church gate
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Enter the narrow gate, says Jesus, because the wide gate leads to what?
Purgatory
The abyss
The city
Destruction
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Everyone seems to take the wide gate because it's much easier. This verse implies that the wide gate leads to sin and destruction, whereas the narrow gate leads to eternal life. That one's harder to find!

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27 hug
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Jesus says to "do to others what you would have them do to you." This is also commonly known as what?
The Beatitude
The Golden Rule
The Good Samaritan
The Good News
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Every child hears the Golden Rule at least once while growing up because it's a simple rule to live by. Versions of these words have also appeared in other religious and philosophical writings.

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28 bread
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If your son asked for bread, says Jesus, would you give him this thing instead?
A snake
A shoe
A fish
A stone
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus says that no one in their right mind would give their kid a stone instead of bread, or a snake instead of a fish. In the same way, God will provide what people need, if they only ask.

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29 lights in hand
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People can recognize false prophets by their what?
Cunning words
Fruit
Sheep's clothing
Charm
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

False prophets are like wolves in sheep's clothing, says Jesus. He then advises that people can recognize false prophets by their fruit. Just as a bad tree bears bad fruit, so does a false prophet.

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30 home building
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What does a wise man build his house on, according to Jesus?
Rock
Sand
Dirt
Clay
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

At the end of the sermon, Jesus says people who put his teachings into practice are wise, like people who build their homes on rock. That's because a house on a strong foundation can withstand rain and wind.

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31 crowd
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How do the crowds react after hearing the Sermon on the Mount?
With confusion
With amazement
With celebration
With suspicion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Matthew 7:28-29, the crowds are amazed after hearing Jesus' sermon because of the way he spoke with authority. The Bible makes it clear that people had never heard such a speaker.

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32 bible
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Can you complete this quote? "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and ..."
Demand to be let in.
Pound on the door till someone answers.
The door will fall off its hinges.
The door will be opened to you.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

All you have to do is ask. That's the message that Jesus imparts in Matthew 7:7-8. He reassures his listeners that God is like a father who wants the best for his children, so they should not hesitate to ask.

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It's not enough to say, "Lord, Lord." To enter the kingdom of heaven, says Jesus, people have to do what?
Repent
Beg humbly
Pray hard
Do God's will
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus gives a stern warning here that not everyone who calls out to him at the last judgment will enter the kingdom of heaven. He says that people have to follow the will of the Father.

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Jesus says, "Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" when you're doing what activity?
Writing a letter
Giving to the poor
Eating a meal
Building a house
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The hypocrites give to the needy with great ostentation, says Jesus, because they want their reward on earth. But God will reward the people who give discreetly, with one hand not knowing what the other one's doing.

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35 prayer
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In the prayer Jesus teaches his followers, he asks God to "deliver us" from what?
Evil
Unfairness
Calamity
Disappointment
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Lord's Prayer ends with a plea for God to save the speaker from evil or the evil one. In fact, some scholars debate whether the prayer originally said evil itself, or the evil one, which is Satan.

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36 earth
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According to Matthew 6:19, which two things destroy treasures on earth?
Dogs and swine
Wolves and jackals
Moths and vermin
Thieves and liars
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

People shouldn't save up treasures on earth, because moths and vermin can get to them. Jesus is speaking metaphorically here, emphasizing that people should seek treasures in heaven by following God's word.

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37 mountain
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Which famous saying does not appear in the Sermon on the Mount?
"No one can serve two masters."
"Each day has enough trouble of its own."
"The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."
"You are the light of the world."
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This quote by Jesus is from John 10:11, not the Sermon on the Mount. In this verse, Jesus also calls himself the good shepherd, who gives his life for his sheep. Hmm, sounds familiar....

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38 dessert city
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Just before the Sermon on the Mount begins, Jesus is preaching in what city?
Galilee
Nazareth
Bethlehem
Jerusalem
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

According to Matthew 4:23, Jesus spends time in Galilee preaching and healing the sick. His ministry attracts great crowds from all over the neighboring lands, which leads him to go up the mountain.

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39 pray
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According to the Beatitudes, who are the children of God?
Peacemakers
The persecuted
The meek
The poor in spirit
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

One of the Beatitudes is "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." One of the elements of Jesus' teachings that attracts a lot of followers is his message of peace.

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40 clouds
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Before offering a gift to God at the altar, people should do what first?
Give money to the poor
Fast for three days
Wander in the desert
Make peace with their brother
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus warns that being angry with a brother or sister is as serious a sin as murder. Therefore, people should reconcile with their friends and family before offering a gift to God.

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You Got:
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