The Sermon on the Mount is perhaps one of the best known passages in the Bible, among other famous passages like the visions apocalyptics of the Apocalypse or the legislative entries in the Decalogue. However, the Sermon on the Mount is more than just a cliché; it can be considered one of the major foundations of Christianity, along with the gospel message preached in other parts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The passage gives a fascinating and insightful look at early Christianity, and specifically provides insight into the ethics that Christ spoke of at the time. In short, the Sermon on the Mount had profound ethical implications for the people to whom Christ preached and, subsequently, for the formation of the early Church. Although the Sermon on the Mount certainly contains concrete principles and ethical implications for modern Christianity, this discussion is more interested in the historical impact of this part of Scripture. In short, this discussion shows that the Sermon on the Mount challenges the ethical presuppositions of the Old Testament and provides a form of pedagogical and transformational instruction for early Christians who did not yet have the foundation of the epistles. These two ideas from the Sermon on the Mount are linked together by Christ's treatment of the concept of goodness; the passage essentially gives a new meaning to the word. Although not an exhaustive discussion of the Sermon on the Mount and its ethical implications, these two conclusions provide a new educational way of considering this passage of Scripture. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay First, it is interesting to discuss how the Sermon on the Mount relates to the Old Testament, for this is where the passage finds most of its ethical significance, particularly for those who listened to the sermon when Christ first preached it. As one source states: “Even a cursory reading will reveal that there is a relationship between the Sermon on the Mount and the Law in the Old Testament” (Kearney np). Another source clarifies this view, stating that "Some even argue that the Sermon represents the most concentrated teaching that Christ gave to clarify the meaning of the law...Jesus' speech is said to occupy the New Testament the same place as the Decalogue occupied in the New Testament. Old Testament” (Lioy 85). This discussion takes an intermediate position in this perspective. More specifically, there are several ways to read the Sermon on the Mount from an ethical perspective. The passage either “presents a new law, refines the Old Testament law, or is something other than the law” (Kearney np). Because Christ made it clear in his teachings that he did not come to abolish the Old Testament law, but to fulfill it, one can safely exclude the first two options. The passage certainly contains ethical teachings that supersede Old Testament law; for example, Christ declares that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister has committed murder, and anyone who is lustful has already committed adultery (Matthew 5:22, 28). However, from an ethical and historical perspective, is this really intended to replace the Old Testament from which Christ preached? As one scholar asks: "Was Jesus' purpose simply to emphasize the correct meaning of the law of Moses, or was he stating new principles, opposed to or superior to the principles of the law, which should become the constitution? of,.