Luke 6:21 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

NIV: Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

NASB: Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

CSB: Blessed are you who are now hungry, because you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, because you will laugh.

NLT: God blesses you who are hungry now, for you will be satisfied. God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh.

KJV: Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

NKJV: Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.

Jesus continues His list of blessings with those who are hungry. Again, Matthew records a spiritualized version: "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). Luke's version allows for both concepts. If someone is poor (Luke 6:20), they're probably hungry. If they're persecuted (Luke 6:22), they may have difficulties earning money and thus hunger for justice.

Jesus adds a time element: "now." Although His followers may be hungry now, they will not always be so. At the marriage supper of the Lamb, His followers will gather for a great feast (Revelation 19:7–8). They will see justice when the unrighteous are judged (Revelation 20:11–15). Atheists tend to accuse Christians of escapism when we find comfort in a future paradise. The Bible teaches that knowing we will be with God for eternity brings proper perspective to our present lives and the sacrifices and suffering we endure (Romans 8:13).

Jesus also promises that those who weep now will laugh; in this context, the "laughter" is an expression of joy and happiness. Weeping is a natural response to both hunger and persecution (Luke 6:22). In eternity, God "will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). In the Song of the Ascents, the people sing, "Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!" (Psalm 126:5).

The corresponding woe is straightforward: those who are full now will hunger and those who laugh now will mourn and weep. Those who desire human praise more than identification in Christ may have easier lives on earth but will suffer in eternity (Luke 6:25–26).

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 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.