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Administration of Divine comfort to the subjects of godly contrition, the benevolent purpose of Messiah (Isaiah 61:3; Luke 4:18). Immediately on entering His ministry the prediction was accomplished.

I. The mourners addressed. The nature, cause, and evidences of their sorrow.

II. The consolation promised. Spiritual, seasonable, abundant, gracious (2 Chronicles 30:9; Isaiah 55:7-9; Hosea 6:1; Zechariah 1:3, 4; Luke 15:7-10; Luke 17:21, 24, 32).

(Anon.)

I. The mourning intended. Not murmuring, natural sorrow, or grief, but the sorrow connected with sin — "godly sorrow" — the mourning in the house of affliction, and mourning in Zion — sighing over the abominations of the people, etc.

II. The blessing promised. The sorrow, whatever its nature, shall not overwhelm. The comfort is certain.

(W. Barker.)

I. WHAT IS THE SORROW that is blessed? Not the vulgar sorrow that every man feels, etc. But —

1. Sorrow at the recollection and the sense of sin — for sin rather than for the consequences — secret sins — sin seen in the light of Christ's countenance — "godly sorrow."

2. Sorrow because of the sins that we see around us (Jeremiah 9:18; Psalm 119:36). Sins of the world, and sins of the Church — inconsistency, etc.

3. Sorrow because of the little progress of Christianity.

4. That we are able to do so little.

5. Sorrow that makes one sometimes long to be " absent from the body," etc.

II. They who sorrow thus shall be COMFORTED. There is a comfort in such sorrow, as well as beyond it. Such sorrow is blessed in its endurance, and at the close of it. It is Divine, complete, unalloyed comfort.

(Dr. J. Gumming.)The mourning here intended is that which arises from the due consideration of our own sins, and the sins of others.

I. Such was the godly sorrow of David (Psalm 51:4).

1. The same kind was that of the woman who "was a sinner," and whose conversion is briefly related by St. Luke (chap. 7.).

2. Peter mourned when his Lord looked on him after his cruel denial. He went out and "wept bitterly."

3. Such was the sorrow of the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 7:11).

II. The generous spirit of the Christian deeply mourns the sins of others.

1. Thus saith the pious king of Israel: "I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved," etc.

2. Such was the lamentation of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 9:1, 2).

3. The most perfect illustration of holy sorrow is seen in our Lord (Luke 19:41, 42).

(J. E. Good.)

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KJV: Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

WEB: Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.