Luke6

Jesus asserts his authority over the Sabbath by allowing his disciples to pluck corn and by healing a man with a withered hand, provoking the Pharisees. He then chooses twelve apostles after a night of prayer. On a plain, Jesus delivers teachings, including blessings for the poor and woes for the rich, and exhortations to love enemies, be merciful, and practice self-examination before judging others. He concludes with parables emphasizing that true discipleship involves hearing and doing his words, likening it to building a house on a strong foundation.

Listen to this chapter

The Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath

One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain, rub them in their hands, and eat them.

But some of the Pharisees asked, “Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Jesus replied, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?

He entered the house of God, took the consecrated bread and gave it to his companions, and ate what is lawful only for the priests to eat.”

Then Jesus declared, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

Healing the Man with the Withered Hand

On another Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.

Looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He would heal on the Sabbath.

But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and stand among us.” So he got up and stood there.

Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?”

And after looking around at all of them, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did so, and it was restored.

But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

In those days Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the night in prayer to God.

When daylight came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated as apostles:

Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Matthew and Thomas; James son of Alphaeus and Simon called the Zealot;

Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The Sermon on the Plain Begins

Then Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of His disciples was there, along with a great number of people from all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon.

They had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases, and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed.

The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.

The Beatitudes and Woes

Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.

Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers treated the false prophets in the same way.

Ethical Teachings: Love Your Enemies

But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.

Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Judging Others and Giving Generously

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Parables of Discipleship and Integrity

Jesus also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit?

A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?

How can you say, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while you yourself fail to see the beam in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.

For each tree is known by its own fruit. Indeed, figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor grapes from brambles.

The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.

The Foundation of the House

Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but not do what I say?

I will show you what he is like who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them:

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell—and great was its destruction!”

Study Notes for Luke 6

Verse 1

This incident, known as the 'Plucking of the Grain,' sets up the first major conflict over Jesus' authority regarding the Sabbath law and its interpretation by the Pharisees.

Verse 2

The Pharisees’ objection concerned not the Mosaic Law (Deut. 23:25 allowed eating grain from a field), but their oral tradition which categorized rubbing the grain as 'threshing' and 'winnowing'—work forbidden on the Sabbath.

Verse 3

Jesus appeals to the example of David (1 Sam. 21:1-6) to illustrate that human need and mercy take precedence over strict ritualistic observance when the two conflict.

Verse 5

The declaration, 'The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath,' asserts Jesus' divine authority to interpret and redefine the purpose of the Sabbath, placing its function under his messianic role.

Verse 7

The scribes and Pharisees were not motivated by concern for the man, but sought legal grounds (an accusation) to condemn Jesus for violating their interpretation of the Sabbath rest.

Verse 9

Jesus poses a dilemma: refusing to alleviate suffering is equivalent to allowing harm (doing evil). He defines the Sabbath as a day intended for mercy and active goodness.

Verse 11

The extreme reaction, 'filled with madness' (anoia), highlights the depth of the religious leaders' rejection of Jesus, as his demonstration of divine power could not be refuted.

Verse 12

Luke often emphasizes Jesus’ practice of prayer before major decisions. Spending the entire night in prayer underscores the gravity and importance of selecting these foundational leaders.

Verse 13

The term 'apostles' (meaning 'those sent out') denotes that this select group of twelve were chosen to be authoritative representatives of Christ, extending his ministry and message.

Verse 15

The list shows the diversity of the chosen men, including Matthew (a tax collector) and Simon (a Zealot), a nationalist dedicated to overthrowing Roman rule.

Verse 17

Luke places this important teaching event on a 'plain' or level place, emphasizing that Jesus’ ministry and teachings are accessible to the great multitude, including Gentiles (Tyre and Sidon).

Verse 20

Luke's Beatitudes are more starkly focused on socio-economic realities than Matthew's. Jesus pronounces blessing on those suffering literal poverty, hunger, and persecution now, promising reversal in the Kingdom.

Verse 22

This blessing addresses persecution suffered specifically 'for the Son of man’s sake,' affirming that suffering for one’s allegiance to Christ is a mark of true discipleship, paralleling the prophets.

Verse 24

The 'Woes' function as prophetic warnings, emphasizing the spiritual danger of finding ultimate satisfaction and comfort entirely in earthly wealth and prosperity, thus neglecting the Kingdom.

Verse 27

This radical command is the core of Christian ethics, demanding active, self-giving love (agape) toward those who are hostile, moving far beyond common reciprocal justice.

Verse 29

These vivid examples illustrate non-retaliation and a willingness to suffer further injustice, demonstrating a spirit that refuses to participate in the cycle of violence and revenge.

Verse 31

Known as the Golden Rule, this provides a concise, universal standard for ethical behavior, requiring disciples to initiate positive action toward others.

Verse 32

Jesus challenges the disciples to move beyond the limited, reciprocal love practiced even by 'sinners,' demanding a higher standard that mirrors God's own unconditional love.

Verse 35

By loving the undeserving, disciples reflect the character of God, who demonstrates kindness and mercy even toward the unthankful and the evil.

Verse 36

Mercy is presented as the defining attribute of God that disciples must strive to imitate, establishing compassion as the ultimate ethical standard.

Verse 37

The prohibition on judging relates primarily to passing final, harsh condemnation, particularly when one has not first examined their own failings; forgiveness is the necessary counter-action.

Verse 38

The promise of 'good measure' encourages lavish generosity, assuring the disciples that God will repay their giving using the same abundant standard they applied to others.

Verse 39

The parable warns against following unqualified or spiritually blind leaders. True discipleship requires leaders who are themselves thoroughly trained and enlightened.

Verse 40

The goal of discipleship is transformation, where the student becomes fully trained (perfect) and embodies the character and teaching of the Master.

Verse 42

This hyperbole (beam and mote) stresses the necessity of self-examination and repentance; attempting to correct others while ignoring one's own major flaws is hypocrisy.

Verse 45

Jesus affirms that outward actions and speech (the fruit) are merely indicators of the internal spiritual state (the treasure of the heart); morality originates internally.

Verse 46

Jesus challenges those who offer mere verbal devotion ('Lord, Lord') but fail to obey his commands, stressing that true authority is recognized through obedience.

Verse 48

The one who hears and 'digged deep' (indicating effort and commitment) builds a life founded on Christ’s teachings, ensuring stability against inevitable trials (the flood).

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate