Luke 6

Jesus shows that He is Lord of the Sabbath and that mercy matters more than rules. He chooses twelve apostles after a night in prayer, then teaches the great ‘Sermon on the Plain’: blessing for the poor, love for enemies, mercy toward others, and honest hearts. The chapter ends with a call to hear His words and actually do them.

Luke 6:1

On a Sabbath, the disciples walk through a grainfield and eat some of the grain by hand. The law let hungry travelers pluck grain from a neighbor’s field. The trouble was the day: rubbing the heads of grain looked like harvesting work.

BSA: Sabbath (“day of rest”): The Sabbath was given for rest, which sets up Jesus’ question about what the day is really for.

See also: Deuteronomy 23:25.

Luke 6:2

Some Pharisees accuse the disciples of breaking the Sabbath. They are not objecting to the eating but to what they count as work. Their question shows how a sincere concern for God’s law can become hard and fault-finding.

Luke 6:3-4

Jesus points to David, who in need ate the sacred bread that only priests normally ate. Human need was not set aside by God’s law. Jesus reads the law with the heart of its Giver, who cares for people.

BSA: consecrated (“set apart, holy”): The bread was holy, yet God’s servants could still be fed from it when there was real need.

See also: 1 Samuel 21:1-6.

Luke 6:5

Jesus ends the argument with a bold claim: the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. The One who gave the day has authority over how it is kept. He is not breaking the Sabbath. He is its Master.

BSA: Lord (“having authority and power”): Jesus claims the right to say what the Sabbath means, an authority that belongs to God.

See also: Mark 2:27-28.

Luke 6:6

On another Sabbath Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. A man with a withered right hand is there. For a working man, that meant a hard and perhaps hopeless life. Luke notes it was the right hand, the one he would most depend on.

BSA: withered (“dried up, shriveled”): The hand was lifeless, like a plant that has lost its sap.

Luke 6:7

The scribes and Pharisees are not there to worship or learn. They are looking for evidence against Jesus. They watch to see whether He will heal on the Sabbath, so that they can charge Him.

Greek: παρετηροῦντο (paretērounto, G3906) — “were watching closely, keeping an eye on.” The word suggests a sharp, sideways watchfulness, like someone lying in wait. They were not seeking truth. They were hunting for a charge.

Luke 6:8

Jesus knows what they are thinking, and He does not hide the healing. He calls the man to stand in the middle, where everyone can see. Jesus acts openly, and the man must step forward in faith.

BSA: Jesus (“knowing their inner thoughts, perceiving their intentions”): Nothing in their hearts is hidden from Him, yet He still moves toward the man in need.

Luke 6:9

Jesus turns the question around. The issue is not what a rule forbids but whether the day is for doing good or harm. Leaving a man in misery when you could help is not neutral. Refusing to do good becomes a way of doing wrong.

BSA: save (“preserve, rescue”): Healing the hand is a small picture of rescuing a whole person.

Luke 6:10

Jesus looks at every one of them in turn, giving them one more chance to see. Then He tells the man to stretch out the very hand he cannot use. The man obeys, and the hand is made whole. Jesus’ command carries the power to do what it asks.

BSA: restored (“made whole, healed completely”): The healing was full, not partial.

Luke 6:11

Instead of rejoicing, they are furious. A man has been healed, yet they plot against the healer. This shows how a hard heart can see mercy as a threat. The opposition that will end at the cross begins here.

Greek: ἀνοίας (anoias, G454) — “senseless fury, madness.” The word literally means being without understanding. Their rage was irrational as well as hateful.

Luke 6:12

Before a major decision, Jesus goes up a mountain and prays all night. If the Son of God sought the Father this way, His followers have even more reason to pray before the big choices of life.

BSA: spent the night (“continued all night, passed the whole night”): This was not a quick prayer but an unbroken night of closeness with the Father.

See also: Mark 1:35.

Luke 6:13

At daybreak Jesus calls His many disciples and picks twelve. He names them apostles, meaning people sent out with His authority. The number twelve recalls the twelve tribes of Israel, hinting at the new people of God He is gathering.

Greek: ἀποστόλους (apostolous, G652) — “sent ones, messengers with a commission.” An apostle was not just a student but someone sent on another’s behalf. They carried the sender’s authority and message.

Luke 6:14-16

The list is a surprising mix: fishermen, a former tax collector, a Zealot who once wanted Rome overthrown. Jesus calls ordinary and very different men. Luke includes Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Him, and says plainly that Judas became a traitor.

BSA: Zealot (“an enthusiastic advocate, a revolutionary”): Simon came from a passionate, politically charged background, yet he was now one of Jesus’ band.

Luke 6:17-19

Jesus comes down to a level place where a great crowd waits. They come from Jewish lands and from non-Jewish Tyre and Sidon. They want to hear Him and be healed. Power goes out from Him, and everyone who comes is healed.

BSA: touch (“attach oneself to, make physical contact with”): The people wanted to cling to Him, believing that closeness to Jesus brought healing.

Luke 6:20

Jesus looks at His disciples and speaks. He calls the poor blessed, not because poverty is good in itself, but because the kingdom of God belongs to those who have nothing else to rely on. Their need opens them to God.

BSA: poor (“needy, lacking worldly resources, humble”): Jesus speaks to those who truly lack, and who for that reason lean on God. kingdom (“reign, dominion, royal power”): The gift is not a place but God’s own rule, already theirs in Jesus.

Greek: μακάριοι (makarioi, G3107) — “blessed, favored by God.” This is more than a passing good mood. It describes people whom God Himself regards with favor, whatever their circumstances.

See also: Matthew 5:3.

Luke 6:21

Those who hunger and weep now will be filled and will laugh. Jesus promises that present sorrow is not the last word. God will turn it around. The ’now’ and the ‘will’ show that His kingdom reverses what this world’s order calls normal.

BSA: weep (“cry out loud, mourn”): This is open, audible grief, not hidden sorrow, and God sees it.

See also: Psalm 126:5-6.

Luke 6:22-23

Jesus says His followers will be hated, shut out and slandered because of Him. Instead of despairing, they are to rejoice, since heaven’s reward is great. Their suffering puts them in the company of the prophets, who were treated the same way.

BSA: name (“character, authority”): To reject a believer’s name is to reject the character and authority they carry from Christ.

See also: Matthew 5:11-12.

Luke 6:24

Now Jesus warns the rich. They have already received their comfort, meaning that wealth is all the consolation they will get. A life that trusts riches has nothing left to receive from God.

BSA: comfort (“encouragement, solace, or consolation”): The rich have taken their whole portion of comfort in the present, with nothing stored up for later.

Greek: ἀπέχετε (apechete, G568) — “you have received in full.” This was a word used on receipts for a paid debt. Jesus says their account is closed, with nothing more owed to them.

Luke 6:25-26

The warnings continue: those who are full, who laugh, who are praised by everyone, will face a reversal. Jesus is not condemning food or joy, but living for them alone. Praise from all sides should make us ask whether we are telling people only what they want to hear.

See also: James 4:9.

Luke 6:27-28

Jesus now speaks to those willing to hear. He calls them to love their enemies, do good to haters, bless cursers and pray for abusers. This is a love shown in action and words, and in prayer. It does not depend on feeling warm toward them.

BSA: listen (“hear and obey”): Jesus means more than hearing the words. He calls for hearing that leads to doing.

See also: Matthew 5:44.

Luke 6:29-30

Jesus gives vivid pictures: offer the other cheek, give the tunic along with the cloak, give to everyone who asks. They show a spirit that does not hold on to its rights or hit back. They are examples of a generous heart, not a rulebook for every case.

BSA: cloak (“outer garment, or mantle”): The outer garment was the more valuable one, so offering the tunic as well shows a willingness to give up more than was taken.

Luke 6:31

This one sentence, often called the Golden Rule, sums up how to treat people. Let your own wishes show you what others need. Ask how you would want to be treated, then do exactly that for them.

See also: Matthew 7:12.

Luke 6:32-34

Loving those who love you, doing good to those who help you, lending where you will be repaid: even people who ignore God do these things. Jesus asks what is special about that. The way of His followers must go further than fair exchange.

BSA: credit (“thank, reward”): The word points to what deserves thanks or favor from God, and ordinary give-and-take earns none.

Greek: χάρις (charis, G5485) — “grace, favor, thanks.” The same word is usually translated ‘grace.’ Jesus asks what is gracious about loving only those who love us, since grace gives where nothing is owed.

Luke 6:35

Jesus repeats the call: love enemies, do good, lend without expecting a return. Those who do will be recognized as children of the Most High, because they act like their Father, who is kind even to the ungrateful and the wicked.

BSA: sons (“children, heirs”): Those who show God’s own kindness show that they share His family likeness. kind (“good, benevolent”): God’s kindness reaches even people who give Him no thanks.

See also: Matthew 5:45.

Luke 6:36

The whole teaching rests on one line: be merciful as your Father is merciful. Our model is not other people or our own comfort but God’s own character. His mercy toward us is the pattern for ours toward others.

BSA: merciful (“compassionate, full of pity”): This is mercy that feels for another’s trouble and moves to help.

Greek: οἰκτίρμονες (oiktirmones, G3629) — “compassionate, tender-hearted.” The word is rooted in deep inward pity. It speaks of a heart moved by another’s pain, not just a polite kindness.

Luke 6:37

Jesus warns against harsh judging and condemning, and urges forgiveness. He is not saying we should never tell right from wrong. He is warning against the cold, critical spirit that hands down sentences. Those who forgive show they have received forgiveness.

BSA: Forgive (“release or pardon”): Forgiveness is letting someone go free from a debt we hold against them.

Greek: ἀπολύετε (apolyete, G630) — “release, set free, let go.” The word means to loose or release, as a prisoner or debt is released. Forgiving means opening the door and letting someone go.

See also: Matthew 7:1.

Luke 6:38

Generous giving is met with generous returning. Jesus pictures a merchant filling a measure with grain, pressing it down and shaking it until it spills into the buyer’s lap. The same measure we use for others will be used for us.

BSA: lap (“bosom, chest area”): The fold of the robe in front was used as a pouch, so the gift lands right in the receiver’s arms.

See also: 2 Corinthians 9:6.

Luke 6:39-40

A blind guide leads a blind follower into a ditch, so teachers must see clearly. A disciple will become like his teacher, so we need to be sure whom we follow. For believers, the Teacher is Jesus, and the goal is to become like Him.

BSA: fully trained (“perfected, completely instructed”): A student reaches full training when he has taken on his teacher’s character.

See also: Matthew 15:14.

Luke 6:41-42

Jesus uses a humorous picture: a man with a plank in his eye offering to remove a splinter from his brother’s. Deal with your own sin first. Then you can see clearly enough to help someone else gently.

BSA: speck (“a small, dry twig or straw, a minor fault”): The other person’s fault is real but small, compared with our own. hypocrite (“insincere, pretending to be something you are not”): Jesus names the problem as pretending, not just failing.

Greek: ὑποκριτά (hypokrita, G5273) — “actor, pretender.” The word was used for an actor in a play. Someone who plays the helper while ignoring his own condition is only acting.

See also: Matthew 7:3-5.

Luke 6:43-45

A tree shows its nature by its fruit, and a person shows his heart by his words and actions. Good deeds and good words flow from a good inner store. What comes out of the mouth tells what has been stored inside.

BSA: treasure (“storehouse, repository”): The heart is a place where things are kept, and what is kept there eventually comes out. heart (“the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions”): The heart is the inner center of a person, where speech and action begin.

Greek: θησαυροῦ (thēsaurou, G2344) — “treasure, storehouse.” This is the word for a treasure chest or storeroom. What we value and keep inside is what we bring out.

See also: Matthew 12:33-35.

Luke 6:46

Jesus asks a sharp question: why call Him Lord and not do what He says? Words of honor mean little without obedience. He wants hearts that follow, not just lips that praise.

See also: Matthew 7:21.

Luke 6:47-48

The one who comes to Jesus, hears His words and puts them into practice is like a builder who digs deep to reach rock. When the flood comes, the house stands. Obedience is the unseen work that holds a life together in a storm.

BSA: rock (“a mass of stone, a cliff”): Jesus’ words are solid ground, firm and immovable, unlike shifting soil.

Greek: ἐβάθυνεν (ebathynen, G900) — “went deep, made deep.” Luke says the builder dug and deepened. Building on rock took hard, patient digging that no one sees from the street.

See also: Matthew 7:24-25.

Luke 6:49

The one who hears and does nothing builds on the ground itself, with no foundation. The house may look the same until the storm comes, then it collapses at once and completely. Hearing alone is not enough. Jesus calls us to act on what we hear.

BSA: foundation (“base, underlying support”): What holds a life up is hidden, and it matters most when the flood arrives.

See also: James 1:22.