sermon on the mount: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Literary, Religious, Figurative (Informal when used metaphorically)
Quick answer
What does “sermon on the mount” mean?
A major, foundational discourse delivered by Jesus Christ, as recorded in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, containing key ethical teachings.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A major, foundational discourse delivered by Jesus Christ, as recorded in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, containing key ethical teachings.
Any lengthy, moralistic lecture or piece of advice intended to guide behavior, often perceived as pompous or tedious.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The metaphorical use is equally understood, though perhaps slightly more common in British English for gentle criticism.
Connotations
Both share core religious and figurative meanings. The metaphorical use often implies the speaker is being self-righteous or overly lengthy.
Frequency
Higher frequency in contexts discussing Christianity, theology, ethics, or Western culture. Metaphorical use is occasional in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “sermon on the mount” in a Sentence
VERB + Sermon on the Mount (deliver, preach, cite, analyse)Sermon on the Mount + VERB (contains, outlines, teaches)ADJ + Sermon on the Mount (famous, lengthy, entire, biblical)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sermon on the mount” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He does love to sermonise on the mount about proper tea etiquette.
American English
- She sermonized on the mount about the importance of grassroots organizing.
adjective
British English
- He had a rather Sermon-on-the-Mount tone during the staff briefing.
American English
- The manager's memo was full of Sermon-on-the-Mount rhetoric.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorical: 'The CEO's quarterly address felt less like a strategy meeting and more like a sermon on the mount about corporate values.'
Academic
Referential: 'The ethics of the Sermon on the Mount are central to many studies of Christian pacifism.'
Everyday
Figurative:
Technical
Theological: 'Exegesis of the Sermon on the Mount often compares it with Luke's shorter 'Sermon on the Plain'.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sermon on the mount”
- Incorrect article: 'Sermon on Mount' (missing 'the').
- Mis-capitalisation in the figurative sense: 'He gave a Sermon on the Mount' (should be lowercase 's').
- Confusing with 'Sermon on the Plain' (from the Gospel of Luke).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary meaning is the specific biblical text, it is commonly used figuratively to describe any long, moralising lecture.
Yes, when referring to the specific biblical text. When used as a metaphorical common noun (e.g., 'he gave a sermon on the mount'), it is not capitalised.
The Beatitudes ('Blessed are...') are the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5:3-12.
Yes. A 'sermon' is any religious or moral talk. 'The Sermon on the Mount' is one specific, famous sermon given by Jesus.
A major, foundational discourse delivered by Jesus Christ, as recorded in chapters 5-7 of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament, containing key ethical teachings.
Sermon on the mount is usually formal, literary, religious, figurative (informal when used metaphorically) in register.
Sermon on the mount: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɜː.mən ɒn ðə ˈmaʊnt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɝː.mən ɑːn ðə ˈmaʊnt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to deliver a sermon on the mount (figurative)”
- “it's not the Sermon on the Mount (dismissive of moralising)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a preacher on a MOUNTAINTOP giving a long SERMON. The phrase 'on the mount' fixes the location.
Conceptual Metaphor
MORAL GUIDANCE IS A SERMON FROM A HIGH PLACE (implying authority, overview, and gravity).
Practice
Quiz
In which book of the Bible is the Sermon on the Mount found?