Final answer:
Jesus' preaching from a mountain was significant for Jewish converts because it echoed Moses' reception of divine laws on Sinai, symbolizing both divine revelation and spiritual salvation, reinforcing Jesus' role as the messiah in the tradition of Moses and Elijah.
Step-by-step explanation:
The significance of Jesus' preaching from a mountain for Jewish converts lies in the rich historical and religious symbolism it holds. For Jews, the mountain represents a place of divine revelation, akin to Moses receiving the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai. Early Jewish converts, who were familiar with the story of Moses and the exodus, could draw parallels between the liberation offered by Moses and the spiritual salvation offered by Jesus. The notion of Jesus as the messiah who delivers not a political liberation but a spiritual one would resonate deeply with Jews suffering under Roman rule, paralleling the ancient exodus and fulfilling prophecies of spiritual redemption.
In the context of early Christianity, the mountain sermon is symbolic, much like the mountaintop experiences of Moses and Elijah, figures whom Jesus is often compared with. For Jewish converts in particular, Jesus' mountaintop preaching could be seen as a continuation of this divine tradition, providing authority to his teachings and reinforcing his role as the promised messiah.