Blessed Are The Mourners

Jesus was not talking about mourning over financial loss such as that which will occur in the future when God destroys the economic structure of the world (Rev. 18:11-17). Jesus was not talking about mourning over suffering which occurs because we did wrong (1 Pet. 3:17). He was not referring to mourning that might occur because our sinful desires are frustrated. The scriptures tell us that Ammon mourned because he wanted to commit incest with his sister (2 Sam. 13:2), and Ahab grieved his loss of an inheritance (1 Kings 21:4). Jesus was not talking about mourning or grief in the ministry (Acts 20:31) or because God has been dishonored (Ps. 139:21). Nor was Jesus referring to the mourning that will occur around the world when God judges the world for rejecting Him (Rev. 16:10-21).

Meaning of Mourn. Jesus was not talking about any physical cares, wants, passions, lusts, greed, or longings. He was talking about spiritual mourning. Jesus spoke of a mourning that does not go away with time unless the person spiritually rejects God.

The Greek word that Jesus used for mourn in the second beatitude is PENTHEO.

It is the strongest word that Jesus could have used for deep inner emotional grief, sorrow, and mourning. It is a mourning that consumes the person. PENTHEO is a verb and is a present active participle. This means that Jesus was referring to repeated action or an ongoing condition of mourning. He was referring to the person who is constantly mourning.

2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us that there are two types of sorrow or mourning.

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (NASB) 2 Cor 7:10