Luke 6 continues Luke's account of Jesus' Galilean ministry (Luke 4:14–9:50). This began with examples of Jesus' power and authority and the people of Nazareth's rejection of Him (Luke 4:16–44). Luke continued the theme with a series of calls for the Twelve to discipleship. Those were interspersed with stories of Jesus' godly but counter-cultural priorities, which revealed the growing resistance of local religious leaders (Luke 5). Luke 6 completes Jesus' call of the Twelve then transitions to the "Sermon on the Plain," a description of the self-sacrifice required by those who identify with Him. The chapter ends with a general call for all to build their lives on Him.

The first three stories in Luke 6 continue the prior chapter's pattern: pairing two models of the new way in which Jesus does ministry with a call to specific disciples. In the first example, Pharisees criticize Jesus for allowing His disciples to pluck and shuck grain heads on the Sabbath. Jesus responds by pointing out David, before he was king, took and ate the bread of the Presence at the tabernacle which was reserved only for priests. The comparison sounds meaningless without historical background. Yet the Pharisees' extra-scriptural laws against the disciples' actions are based on the steps needed to bake the bread of the Presence. Having proved His point, Jesus takes authority over all aspects of the Sabbath (Luke 6:1–5).

The second story is similar. Jesus is teaching in a synagogue on the Sabbath. The Pharisees are watching closely to see if Jesus will heal a man with a withered hand, one of the listeners. This condition might have been the result of a virus like polio, some type of disease that induces paralysis and atrophy, or perhaps even an injury. Jesus challenges the Pharisees: if the Sabbath is meant to be a blessing for people, shouldn't He have the right to bless this man? He heals the suffering man, but the Pharisees are livid and begin their machinations to destroy Him (Luke 6:6–11).

Jesus had already chosen Peter, Andrew, James, John, and Levi, also known as Matthew, to follow Him (Luke 5:1–11, 27–28). After spending all night in prayer, He chooses the final seven men who will be His apostles. It is these men, minus Judas Iscariot, who will build the church (Luke 6:12–16).

The rest of the chapter is Jesus' "Sermon on the Plain." It covers much of the same information as the "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew (Matthew 5—7) but in condensed form. Scholars debate as to whether these were the exact same speech. Since Jesus was a traveling teacher, it's possible He presented the same broad lessons numerous times during His earthly ministry. Notably, because Luke's readership is Gentile, he leaves out the parts that directly reference the Mosaic law. The event begins with Jesus ministering to "a great multitude of people" from everywhere from Jerusalem to Tyre. They have come to be healed from diseases and freed from demons but stay to listen to Jesus' words (Luke 6:17–19).

Where Matthew beings with a thorough list of beatitudes, Luke has a brief list and then transitions into a list of parallel woes. Jesus promises blessings to the poor, hungry, mournful, and hated, and woes to the rich, full, fortunate, and popular. Those who are persecuted for following Jesus will be blessed; those who seek public approval will be cursed. The blessings and curses will primarily be fulfilled in eternity (Luke 6:20–26).

Luke then ties Matthew's section on retaliation and generosity (Matthew 5:38–42) with the section on loving one's enemies (Matthew 5:43–48). We are to love our enemies even when they curse us, insult us, and sue us. If we treat our enemies with the same mercy, patience, and love we do our friends, we will reflect our God who blessed us even when we were His enemies (Luke 6:27–36).

The sermon transitions from mercy to personal accountability. Our forgiveness of others is tied to God's forgiveness of us, and our generosity to God's generosity to us. Mercy and self-examination should always precede judgment. We cannot teach or correct with effectiveness if we haven't addressed our own sin first (Luke 6:37–42).

Jesus has presented a description of those who follow Him: they love their enemies and teach with integrity. Only those who have a good heart can act in such a way. A person with a good heart will be able to do these virtuous deeds, just like a good tree produces good fruit (Luke 6:43–45).

Finally, Jesus calls the crowd to general discipleship by teaching them how to receive a good heart: build their lives on Him. Anyone who accepts Him as the foundation of their lives will not be shaken by the hardships of the world. They will remain strong, proving their dependence on Him by obeying what He commands (Luke 6:46–49).

Luke 7:1—8:3 takes a sudden turn and describes Jesus' relationship with the marginalized, including women and Gentiles. He also compares His ministry with that of John the Baptist, pointing out that a godly teacher will be judged unfairly by the fallen world, no matter how righteously they live.

Luke 6:1–5 begins another altercation between Jesus and local religious leaders; this is the first related to the Sabbath. The Pharisees added rules to the Sabbath which served more as burdens than ways to honor God. Jesus counters that the Sabbath is for restoration and nurturing, not hardship. In the first occurrence, He defends the disciples as they pick grain heads. Next, He will heal a man with a withered hand (Luke 6:6–11). The purpose of the Sabbath is to refrain from labor, not refrain from good. Matthew 12:1–8 and Mark 2:23–28 also record this interaction.

Luke 6:6–11 includes the last of six controversial actions which put Jesus at odds with the religious leaders. This passage on healing and the previous on eating (Luke 6:1–5) focus on the true purpose of the Sabbath. It is not to worship God with strict, suffocating rules but to rest and restore—even to heal. Next, Jesus will select twelve men out of a group who have decided to follow Him instead of the Pharisees. This story is also recorded in Matthew 12:9–14 and Mark 3:1–6. Luke 13:10–17 tells the story of Jesus healing a woman on the Sabbath, and Luke 14:1–6 gives an account of Jesus healing another man on the sabbath, at the house of a Pharisee.

Luke 6:12–16 records Jesus officially calling His twelve disciples. Luke has shown that Jesus' way is incompatible with that of the Pharisees (Luke 5:33–39). His new way needs new leaders. Jesus has gained a large following and picked out five men for special attention. Now, after conferring with Father-God, Jesus chooses seven more to become leaders of the church. From here, Luke sets aside the religious leaders and records Jesus' instruction to general followers and invitation to base their life on Him (Luke 6:17–49). This section is also recorded in Matthew 10:1–4 and Mark 3:13–19.

Luke 6:17–19 transitions away from the separation of Jesus' followers from His detractors into a series of teachings on the promised blessings for and responsibilities of His followers. This passage is called the ''Sermon on the Plain'' or ''Sermon on the Level Place.'' Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5—7) could be the same event; ''plain'' can mean a high plateau. But Luke, writing to a Gentile audience, removes all references to the Jewish law and, as is his habit, summarizes the teachings even more than Matthew. The corresponding passage for this section would be Matthew 4:23—5:1.

Luke 6:20–26 begins Jesus' ''Sermon on the Level Place'' or ''Sermon on the Plain.'' Luke segues from the practical distinction between Jesus' followers and detractors. He moves along to prophetic promises to each group, with four blessings and four woes. The descriptors poor versus rich, hungry versus full, and mournful versus happy might seem purely circumstantial. However, they represent the consequences of identifying with Jesus and thus facing persecution, versus identifying with the world and thus enjoying worldly privilege. Jesus uses the blessings promised to His persecuted followers to inspire them to love their enemies just as their Father does (Luke 6:27–42).

Luke 6:27–36 continues Jesus' teaching to a crowd about how His followers should live. He's explained how those who are burdened in this life due to faithfulness will find relief and those who are satisfied due to their unfaithfulness will find eternal hardship (Luke 6:20–26). Here, He commands His followers to love their enemies, a theme He will expound upon when He speaks about judging others (6:37–42). This is possible if the promises of Luke 6:22–23 are true. After explaining that our actions come from our hearts, Jesus will invite the crowd to base their identity in Him (Luke 6:43–49). Matthew 5:38–48 also speaks of loving one's enemies.

In Luke 6:37–42, Jesus finishes explaining precisely what it means to be His disciple. He began with a list of blessings His persecuted followers can expect. He listed consequences for those blessed by the ungodly world (Luke 6:20–26). He exhorts His followers to love their enemies with prayer and generosity (Luke 6:27–35). Here, He applies mercy (Luke 6:36) with gracious judgment and forgiveness. Finally, He calls the crowd to have good hearts and lives that are founded on Him (Luke 6:43–49). The sentiments behind Jesus' teachings here are scattered around Matthew and Mark.

Luke 6:43–45 further explains Jesus' call to self-examination (Luke 6:39–42). A teacher cannot effectively lead another if he is blind to truth. He must overcome his own faulty teaching and disobedience first. If he doesn't, he proves he is evil and his words will be, too. If he examines himself and chooses to follow Jesus, his life will be fruitful and his teaching truthful. Next, Jesus reveals how people can fulfill His hard teachings: base their lives on Him (Luke 6:46–49). Matthew 7:15–20 applies the tree and fruit to false prophets. In Matthew 12:33–34, Jesus applies the metaphor directly to Pharisees.

Luke 6:46–49 records Jesus' call for general discipleship. He has chosen the Twelve out of His enormous number of followers (Luke 6:12–16). He revealed some difficult things that He expects of His people, including forgiving their enemies (Luke 6:17–42). To do so requires a good heart (Luke 6:43–45). Now He extends an invitation to the crowd to build their lives on the sure foundation of His words. This concludes the Sermon on the Plain. Next is a series of stories about Jesus' relationships with the other, including a Gentile and several women (Luke 7:1—8:3).

Luke 6 contains two main sections of teaching and calls to discipleship. Luke 6:1–16 continues the pattern of Luke 5. The two ways in which Jesus sets aside tradition—this time by taking authority over the Sabbath—are paired with His call for the Twelve disciples. Luke 6:17–49 records Jesus' teaching on the ''level place,'' or His ''Sermon on the Plain,'' and a call to a crowd for general discipleship. Much of this material has parallels in Matthew 5 through 7, but it's not clear if the two accounts are of the same event. As a travelling teacher, Christ likely gave the same general message multiple times.

Luke 6 completes Jesus' call for disciples and followers that started in Luke 5. Luke 5:1—6:16 consists of three calls for disciples, each paired with two revolutionary teachings about Jesus' authority that increasingly infuriate the religious leaders. Luke 6:17–49 continues the theme with a general call for followers and a description of their responsibilities. In Luke 7:1—8:3, Jesus interacts with the other: Gentiles, women, and even the dead. This is followed by another general call (Luke 8:4–21), a series of miracles (Luke 8:22—9:17), and a final call for the Twelve to follow Him even more deeply (Luke 9:18–50).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.

Accessed 11/24/2024 7:51:53 PM

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