1 And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing [them] in [their] hands.
2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3 And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
4 How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6 And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
8 But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy [it]?
10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the [son] of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16 And Judas [the brother] of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17 And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed [them] all.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you [from their company], and shall reproach [you], and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward [is] great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask [them] not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend [to them] of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and [to] the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Overview of Luke Chapter 6
Luke Chapter 6 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Luke that highlights the teachings and actions of Jesus, emphasizing themes of compassion, mercy, and the nature of true discipleship. This chapter is significant for its portrayal of Jesus as the Lord of the Sabbath and for the ethical teachings that challenge societal norms.
Key Themes
- Sabbath Controversy: The chapter begins with an incident where Jesus and his disciples pick grain on the Sabbath, leading to a confrontation with the Pharisees.
- Healing on the Sabbath: Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, further provoking the religious leaders.
- The Beatitudes: Jesus delivers a series of blessings and woes that outline the characteristics of true discipleship and the values of the Kingdom of God.
- Love for Enemies: The chapter emphasizes the radical call to love one’s enemies and to show mercy.
- Judgment and Forgiveness: Jesus teaches about the importance of not judging others while also encouraging self-examination.
- The Foundation of Discipleship: The chapter concludes with the metaphor of building one’s life on a solid foundation, illustrating the importance of putting Jesus’ teachings into practice.
Detailed Analysis
Sabbath Controversy (Verses 1-5)
In the opening verses, Jesus’ disciples are seen picking grain on the Sabbath, which prompts the Pharisees to question their actions. Jesus responds by referencing the actions of David, who ate the consecrated bread, thereby highlighting the principle that human need can take precedence over ritual law. This incident establishes Jesus’ authority as the Lord of the Sabbath, indicating that mercy and compassion are at the heart of God’s law.
Healing on the Sabbath (Verses 6-11)
Jesus heals a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath, demonstrating his compassion and willingness to confront the rigid interpretations of the law held by the Pharisees. This act not only showcases Jesus’ miraculous power but also serves as a direct challenge to the religious leaders, who are filled with rage at his actions. The healing emphasizes the theme of doing good and saving life over adhering to legalistic traditions.
The Beatitudes (Verses 20-23)
In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces blessings upon the poor, hungry, and those who weep, contrasting them with the woes pronounced on the rich, satisfied, and those who laugh. This radical reorientation of societal values highlights the upside-down nature of the Kingdom of God, where the marginalized are elevated and the complacent are warned of impending judgment.
Love for Enemies (Verses 27-36)
Jesus’ teaching on loving one’s enemies is one of the most challenging aspects of his message. He instructs his followers to bless those who curse them, to pray for those who mistreat them, and to give generously without expecting anything in return. This radical love reflects the character of God and calls for a transformative approach to interpersonal relationships, emphasizing mercy and grace over retribution.
Judgment and Forgiveness (Verses 37-42)
Jesus warns against judgment, urging his followers to first examine their own faults before criticizing others. This teaching underscores the importance of humility and self-awareness in the life of a disciple. The metaphor of the blind leading the blind illustrates the dangers of hypocrisy and the necessity of spiritual insight.
The Foundation of Discipleship (Verses 43-49)
The chapter concludes with the parable of the wise and foolish builders, where Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting his words into practice. The solid foundation represents a life built on obedience to Jesus’ teachings, which withstands the storms of life. This metaphor serves as a call to action for disciples to not only hear the word but to embody it in their daily lives.
Conclusion
Luke Chapter 6 presents a comprehensive view of Jesus’ teachings on compassion, mercy, and the radical nature of discipleship. Through various encounters and teachings, Jesus challenges societal norms and invites his followers to embrace a life characterized by love, humility, and obedience. This chapter serves as a foundational text for understanding the ethical implications of following Christ and the transformative power of the Kingdom of God.
