I came across this great quote today regarding the end of Matthew 4 and the beginning of Matthew 5 leading up to Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount.”
Before the crowds hear the Messiah’s word they are the object of his compassion and healing. Having done nothing, nothing at all, they are benefited. So grace comes before task, succour before demand, healing before imperative. The first act of the Messiah is not the imposition of his commandments, but the giving of himself. Today’s command presupposes yesterday’s gift (Davies & Allison, Matthew 1-7, International Critical Commentary, 427).