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.

The Disciples Pluck Grain on the Sabbath

Now on the second Sabbath after the first, he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain, and ate, rubbing them in their hands.

But some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”

Yeshua, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he, and those who were with him;

how he entered into God’s house, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?”

He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

Healing the Man with the Withered Hand

It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.

The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.

But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up, and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood.

Then Yeshua said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?”

He looked around at them all, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.

But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Yeshua.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles

In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.

When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named emissaries:

Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; Jacob; Yochanan; Philip; Bartholomew;

Matthew; Thomas; Jacob, the son of Halfai; Simon, who was called the Zealot;

Judah the son of Jacob; and Judah Iscariot, who also became a traitor.

The Sermon on the Plain Begins

He came down with them, and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples, and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;

as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits, and they were being healed.

All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out of him and healed them all.

The Beatitudes and Woes

He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and 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 men shall hate you, and when they shall exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.

Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.

“But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.

Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.

Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.

Ethical Teachings: Love Your Enemies

“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

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

To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.

Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.

“As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.

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

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

If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

“Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.

Judging Others and Giving Generously

Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”

Parables of Discipleship and Integrity

He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?

A disciple is not above his rabbi, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his rabbi.

Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?

Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.

For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit; nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.

For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

The Foundation of the House

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?

Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like.

He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.

But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

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).

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