Luke 6:25

KJV

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

KJV (with Strong's)

Woe {G3759} unto you {G5213} that are full {G1705}! for {G3754} ye shall hunger {G3983}. Woe {G3759} unto you {G5213} that laugh {G1070} now {G3568}! for {G3754} ye shall mourn {G3996} and {G2532} weep {G2799}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Woe to you who are full now, for you will go hungry! "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and cry!

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

Woe unto you, ye that are full now! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you, ye that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:25 delivers a powerful and sobering warning within Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, directly contrasting the fleeting satisfaction of present worldly comfort with the inevitable spiritual deprivation and profound sorrow awaiting those who prioritize earthly pleasures over kingdom values. This "woe" serves as a stark counterpoint to the preceding Beatitudes, underscoring the radical inversion of human expectations and divine realities inherent in God's kingdom, where current prosperity can lead to future destitution, and present joy rooted in self-sufficiency will culminate in lament.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain" in [Luke 6](/luke/6 "Luke 6 - The Sermon on the Plain"), following immediately after the four Beatitudes (blessings) pronounced upon the poor, hungry, weeping, and persecuted in [Luke 6:20-23](/luke/6-20-23 "Luke 6:20-23 - The Beatitudes"). It initiates a series of four corresponding "woes" (or pronouncements of judgment) directed at those who are presently rich, full, laughing, and well-regarded by the world. This structural parallelism highlights a deliberate contrast, emphasizing the radical nature of God's kingdom, which often reverses conventional human values and expectations regarding prosperity and suffering. The "woes" clarify that the blessings are not merely for the downtrodden, but that there is a spiritual danger in worldly comfort that distracts from God.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jesus' ministry took place in a society marked by significant economic disparity, with a small elite enjoying wealth and comfort while the majority lived in poverty, often under Roman occupation. In the Greco-Roman world, prosperity was frequently seen as a sign of divine favor, and suffering as a mark of disfavor. However, within Jewish prophetic tradition, "woe" pronouncements were common, often directed at those who oppressed the poor or neglected justice, warning of impending judgment (e.g., [Isaiah 5:8-23](/isaiah/5-8-23 "Isaiah 5:8-23 - Woes Against Injustice")). Jesus, in this context, challenges the prevailing cultural assumptions by asserting that true blessedness is not found in earthly abundance, but in a spiritual posture of dependence on God, often accompanied by present hardship. His words would have been particularly challenging to those who were comfortable and complacent in their material well-being.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by [Luke 6:25](/luke/6-25 "Luke 6:25 - Woe to the Full and Laughing") is the **reversal of fortunes** between the present age and the coming kingdom of God. This verse vividly portrays the **danger of worldly comfort and self-satisfaction**, suggesting that an exclusive focus on earthly fullness and fleeting joy can lead to spiritual emptiness and future sorrow. It serves as a profound **warning against misplaced priorities**, cautioning against finding ultimate security and happiness in material possessions or social approval, which are temporary and ultimately unsatisfying. This "woe" also reinforces the broader Lukan emphasis on **social justice and care for the poor**, contrasting the values of God's kingdom with the values of the world, much like the parable of the [rich man and Lazarus](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus") later in Luke's Gospel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Woe (Greek, _ouaí'_):** This is a powerful exclamation of grief, lament, or impending judgment. It is not merely a statement of misfortune but carries the weight of divine disapproval and the certainty of future negative consequences. It functions as a prophetic warning, signaling a coming reversal of circumstances that will bring sorrow and distress.
* **full (Greek, _empíplēmi'_):** Derived from a word meaning "to fill in (up)," this term implies being completely satisfied or satiated, whether literally with food or figuratively with material possessions, comfort, or worldly success. Jesus is not condemning physical fullness itself, but the spiritual complacency and self-sufficiency that can arise from it, leading one to believe they have no need of God.
* **laugh (Greek, _geláō'_):** This refers to laughter as a sign of joy or satisfaction. In this context, it speaks to a present state of carefree happiness or amusement, potentially stemming from worldly ease or indifference to spiritual realities. Jesus warns that this laughter, if it signifies a heart content with earthly pleasures and unconcerned with spiritual or eternal matters, will be tragically transformed into mourning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Woe unto you that are full!":** This clause initiates the first of two parallel pronouncements of judgment. The "full" are those who are materially prosperous, comfortable, and self-sufficient, finding their satisfaction in their present circumstances. The "woe" indicates a divine lament over their spiritual state and a warning of impending negative consequences.
* **"for ye shall hunger.":** This is the direct consequence for those who are "full" in a worldly sense. The hunger here is not merely physical, but a profound spiritual emptiness and dissatisfaction that will inevitably follow their present satiety. It signifies a reversal where their current abundance will give way to a future state of desperate need and lack.
* **"Woe unto you that laugh now!":** The second parallel pronouncement, targeting those whose present is characterized by carefree joy, amusement, or perhaps even a celebratory attitude about their worldly success. The "now" emphasizes the temporal nature of their current happiness, contrasting it with an eternal reality.
* **"for ye shall mourn and weep.":** This is the consequence for those who "laugh now." Their present mirth will be replaced by profound sorrow and lamentation. "Mourn" (penthéō) implies deep grief, while "weep" (klaíō) suggests audible, outward expression of sorrow, indicating a complete and painful reversal of their current emotional state.

#### Literary Devices
Luke 6:25 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its stark message. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, or direct contrast, setting up opposing pairs: "full" versus "hunger," and "laugh" versus "mourn and weep." This creates a dramatic tension and highlights the radical inversion of fortunes in God's kingdom. There is also clear **Parallelism** in the structure of the two "woe" statements, each beginning with "Woe unto you that..." and followed by a "for ye shall..." consequence. This repetitive structure emphasizes the certainty and universality of the warning. The "Woe" itself functions as a **Prophetic Utterance**, carrying the weight of divine judgment and a foretelling of future events. Furthermore, the language is highly **Symbolic**, where "fullness" represents worldly satisfaction and "hunger," "mourning," and "weeping" represent spiritual destitution and eternal sorrow, transcending mere physical states.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:25 profoundly articulates a core theological truth about the nature of God's kingdom: its values are often diametrically opposed to those of the world. It reveals God's concern for the marginalized and His judgment on those who find their ultimate satisfaction in fleeting earthly comforts, neglecting spiritual realities. This verse underscores the eschatological reversal, where present suffering for righteousness' sake leads to future blessing, and present worldly ease, if it fosters spiritual complacency, leads to future lament. It challenges believers to align their priorities with God's eternal perspective, recognizing that true and lasting fulfillment is found not in what one possesses or enjoys in this life, but in a humble dependence on God and a pursuit of His righteousness. The "woes" are not condemnations of wealth or happiness in themselves, but warnings against the spiritual dangers of these things when they become idols or lead to a neglect of one's need for God and compassion for others.

* [Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn") - "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted." This Beatitude in Matthew's parallel sermon offers the positive counterpart to Luke's woe, emphasizing that present sorrow can lead to future divine comfort.
* [Luke 16:19-31](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus") - The parable of the rich man and Lazarus vividly illustrates the reversal of fortunes, where the rich man who lived in luxury experiences torment, while the poor man Lazarus is comforted in Abraham's bosom.
* [James 4:9](/james/4-9 "James 4:9 - Lament and Mourn and Weep") - "Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness." James echoes this sentiment, calling for spiritual repentance and a turning away from worldly pleasures.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:25 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to deeply examine the sources of our satisfaction and security. Are we, in a spiritual sense, "full"—content with our material possessions, social status, or worldly achievements, to the point where we feel no pressing need for God or for the spiritual sustenance He offers? Do we "laugh now" in a way that signifies a carefree indifference to the suffering of others, the brokenness of the world, or the eternal consequences of our choices? Jesus' warning is not against joy or provision itself, but against the spiritual complacency that can accompany them, leading to a false sense of security and a neglect of our eternal souls. This verse calls us to cultivate a posture of spiritual hunger and humility, recognizing that true and lasting fulfillment is found only in Christ. It compels us to re-evaluate our priorities, to invest in eternal treasures rather than fleeting earthly ones, and to embrace a compassionate heart that mourns with those who mourn, rather than being solely preoccupied with personal comfort.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be "full" or "laughing now" in a way that leads to spiritual complacency?**
* **How does my pursuit of worldly comfort or success impact my dependence on God and my compassion for others?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater spiritual hunger and a deeper reliance on Christ?**
* **How can I ensure that my present joys are rooted in eternal truths rather than fleeting circumstances?**

### FAQ

**What does "Woe" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Luke 6:25, "Woe" (Greek: _ouaí_) is far more than a simple expression of pity or misfortune. It is a solemn, prophetic declaration of impending judgment and lament. It signifies a deep sorrow on God's part over the spiritual state of those addressed, coupled with a certain pronouncement of negative consequences that will inevitably follow their current choices. It's a warning that their present comfort and joy, if they lead to spiritual neglect or self-sufficiency, will tragically reverse into future suffering and grief. It implies a divine disapproval of their misplaced priorities and a foretelling of the spiritual hunger, mourning, and weeping that awaits them.

**Is Jesus condemning wealth or happiness in this verse?**

Answer: No, Jesus is not condemning wealth or happiness in themselves, but rather the spiritual dangers and misplaced priorities that can accompany them. The "woe" is directed at those who are "full" and "laugh now" in a way that implies a complete satisfaction with earthly things, leading to a spiritual complacency and a lack of dependence on God. It's a warning against finding ultimate security and joy in fleeting material possessions or worldly pleasures, to the exclusion of eternal realities and a relationship with God. The danger lies in allowing present comfort to blind one to spiritual needs, to neglect compassion for others, or to become indifferent to God's kingdom values. The parable of the [rich man and Lazarus](/luke/16-19-31 "Luke 16:19-31 - The Rich Man and Lazarus") in Luke's Gospel further illustrates this, showing that it was not the rich man's wealth itself, but his self-centeredness and neglect of the poor, that led to his dire fate.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:25, while a stern warning, finds its ultimate fulfillment and redemptive answer in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly embodies the reversal of fortunes, not as a consequence of sin, but as a voluntary act of love. Though He was "rich, yet for your sakes he became poor" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), experiencing hunger ([Matthew 4:2](/matthew/4-2 "Matthew 4:2 - Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness")), mourning ([John 11:35](/john/11-35 "John 11:35 - Jesus Wept")), and weeping ([Luke 19:41](/luke/19-41 "Luke 19:41 - Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem")) during His earthly ministry. He willingly embraced the "woes" of humanity, bearing the spiritual hunger, mourning, and weeping that our sin deserved, so that we might be truly satisfied. Through His sacrifice, He offers the bread of life that satisfies all spiritual hunger ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), turns our mourning into dancing ([Psalm 30:11](/psalms/30-11 "Psalm 30:11 - Turning Mourning into Dancing")), and promises that those who mourn will be comforted ([Matthew 5:4](/matthew/5-4 "Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn")). In Christ, the stark warnings of Luke 6:25 are transformed into an invitation to find true and lasting fulfillment, joy, and comfort that the world cannot provide or take away, by placing our trust not in fleeting earthly abundance, but in the eternal riches of His grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 65:13

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed:

James 4:9

Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and [your] joy to heaviness.

Proverbs 14:13

¶ Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth [is] heaviness.

Luke 16:14

And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.

Luke 16:15

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Revelation 18:7

How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow.

Revelation 18:11

And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: