Jesus said this to express that those who earnestly long for righteousness which is God’s standard of holiness and justice, will be completely satisfied by Him. The statement is part of the Beatitudes:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
(Matthew 5:6)
The language of hunger and thirst illustrates an intense, continuous desire, not a casual interest. Just as physical hunger drives a person to seek food, spiritual hunger drives a believer to seek God and His righteousness above all else.
What does righteousness mean here?
It refers both to personal holiness (living in obedience to God) and to the broader reality of God’s righteous rule in the world. This longing grows in those who recognize their spiritual poverty (Matthew 5:3) and mourn over sin (Matthew 5:4).
God promises to satisfy this longing:
“For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness.”
(Psalm 107:9)
This satisfaction comes in two ways:
Presently – Through forgiveness in Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers experience transformation and increasing conformity to God’s will.
Ultimately – At Christ’s return, when righteousness will reign fully in the new heavens and new earth (2 Peter 3:13).
This beatitude reminds us that true happiness is not found in worldly pursuits but in desiring God’s righteousness. It calls us to evaluate our appetites and seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Those who crave holiness and justice can rest in God’s promise that He Himself will satisfy them completely.