Matthew begins Jesus' public preaching ministry with the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7. He instructed His disciples, v. 1, on the true nature of His kingdom and the principles by which He would administer it. He wanted His disciples to be clear regarding the character of those Christ included in His kingdom. and what effect that kingdom would have on the world around it.

Having described the character of His disciples in the Beatitudes, vs. 1-12, Jesus defines precisely in verses 13-16 the relation of those disciples to mankind at large, and the mission of His disciples to the world. Verses 10-12 intimate that the body of His disciples, i.e., the church and kingdom of Christ, and the world of rebels are two antagonistic parties. Now He is going to explain that relationship in more specific terms.