Luke 6

Luke 6 records important teachings and actions of Jesus, especially about the Sabbath, prayer, discipleship, love, mercy, and true obedience. Jesus shows that God’s law must be understood through mercy and truth, not through man-made traditions or harsh religious rules. He heals on the Sabbath, chooses the twelve apostles after praying all night, teaches the blessings and warnings of the kingdom, calls His followers to love their enemies, warns against hypocrisy, and ends by showing that true discipleship means not only hearing His words but doing them.

Luke 6:1-2 (NKJV)
1 Now it happened on the second Sabbath after the first that He went through the grainfields. And His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate them, rubbing them in their hands.
2 And some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why are you doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?”

Jesus and His disciples were walking through the grainfields on the Sabbath, and the disciples plucked heads of grain, rubbed them in their hands, and ate because they were hungry. The Pharisees accused them of doing what was not lawful on the Sabbath. Their problem was not that the disciples were stealing, because the law allowed the poor or hungry to eat from a neighbor’s field by hand, but they saw the plucking and rubbing of grain as a form of work. This shows how the Pharisees had turned the Sabbath into a burden through strict man-made interpretations. They focused on technical rules but missed the mercy and purpose of the Sabbath, which was made to be a blessing, not a hardship.

Luke 6:3-5 (NKJV)
3 But Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read this, what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him:
4 how he went into the house of God, took and ate the showbread, and also gave some to those with him, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?”
5 And He said to them, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”

Jesus answered by pointing them to the story of David, who ate the showbread when he and his men were hungry, even though that bread was normally only for the priests. Jesus used this example to show that human need and mercy must not be ignored because of ceremonial restrictions. He was not teaching that the Sabbath could be broken carelessly, but that the Sabbath must be understood according to God’s character of mercy, goodness, and life. When Jesus said, “The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath,” He declared His authority over the Sabbath. As Lord of the Sabbath, He had the right to reveal its true meaning and correct the Pharisees’ false and burdensome interpretation.

Luke 6:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered.
7 So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him.
8 But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood.
9 Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”
10 And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
11 But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

On another Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and taught, and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus closely, not because they wanted to learn, but because they wanted to accuse Him if He healed on the Sabbath. Jesus knew their thoughts and called the man to stand before everyone. Then He asked, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” This question exposed their wrong spirit. The Sabbath was never meant to stop mercy, healing, or doing good. It was a day of rest, blessing, compassion, and restoration. Jesus healed the man’s hand, showing the true meaning of the Sabbath. But instead of rejoicing that a suffering man was restored, the religious leaders were filled with rage and began discussing what they might do to Jesus. Their anger showed that their hearts were harder than the man’s withered hand.

Luke 6:12-16 (NKJV)
12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also 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 the Zealot;
16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

After facing growing opposition from the religious leaders, Jesus went up to the mountain and spent the whole night in prayer to God. This shows His complete dependence on His Father, especially before making an important decision. In the morning, He called His disciples and chose twelve of them, whom He also named apostles. These men would walk closely with Jesus, receive special training, witness His life and ministry, and later be sent out to preach the gospel. They came from different backgrounds and had different personalities, showing that God can use many kinds of people in His work. Judas Iscariot was also chosen, even though he would later betray Jesus. This reminds us that outward closeness to Jesus is not enough; the heart must truly be surrendered to Him.

Luke 6:17-19 (NKJV)
17 And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,
18 as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.

After choosing the twelve, Jesus came down and stood on a level place where a great crowd had gathered. People came from Judea, Jerusalem, and even the coastal regions of Tyre and Sidon to hear Him and to be healed. Some were sick, and others were tormented by unclean spirits, and Jesus healed them. The crowd sought to touch Him because power went out from Him and healed them all. This shows the compassion and authority of Jesus. He did not only teach truth; He also brought healing, deliverance, and restoration. The people came from many places, showing that His ministry was not limited to one group, but was drawing all kinds of people who needed the life and power of God.

Luke 6:20-23 (NKJV)
20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said: “Blessed are you poor, For yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.
22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil, For the Son of Man’s sake.
23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven, For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.”

Jesus now teaches His disciples about true blessing in God’s kingdom. He says the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and those who are hated for the Son of Man’s sake are blessed. This does not mean poverty, hunger, sorrow, or persecution are good in themselves, but that those who suffer while trusting in God will not be forgotten. Their present suffering is temporary, but God’s kingdom, satisfaction, joy, and reward are eternal. Jesus reverses the values of the world: the world often sees blessing in comfort, popularity, and wealth, but God sees the faithful heart that depends on Him. Those who are rejected for Christ’s sake can rejoice because they stand in the same line as the prophets, who also suffered for speaking the truth.

Luke 6:24-26 (NKJV)
24 “But woe to you who are rich, For you have received your consolation.
25 Woe to you who are full, For you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, For you shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you, For so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

Jesus gives strong warnings to those who are rich, full, laughing, and praised by everyone. He is not saying that having money, food, laughter, or a good reputation is automatically sinful. The warning is against those who are satisfied with this present world, trust in earthly comfort, and do not feel their need of God. If a person lives only for present pleasure, worldly approval, and self-sufficiency, then that comfort will not last. Jesus warns that those who are praised by everyone may be like the false prophets, who told people what they wanted to hear instead of speaking God’s truth. True disciples must seek God’s approval more than human praise.

Luke 6:27-31 (NKJV)
27 “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.
29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back.
31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”

Jesus calls His followers to a love that is very different from the spirit of the world. He tells them to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who mistreat them. This does not mean Christians approve of evil or allow abuse without wisdom, but it means they do not respond with hatred, revenge, or bitterness. Offering the other cheek and being generous even when wronged shows a heart that is free from retaliation and controlled by God’s love. Jesus then gives the principle often called the golden rule: treat others the way you want them to treat you. This kind of love shows the character of God and reveals that the disciple is living by a higher kingdom than the world.

Luke 6:32-36 (NKJV)
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

Jesus explains that loving only those who love us is not the full standard of God’s kingdom, because even sinners do that. Doing good only to those who do good to us, or lending only when we expect repayment, is natural human behavior. But Jesus calls His disciples to reflect the mercy of the Father, who is kind even to the unthankful and evil. This does not mean God approves of evil, but that His mercy gives people opportunity to repent. Believers are called to love their enemies, do good, and give without selfish expectation because they are children of the Most High. This kind of mercy is only possible through the transforming power of Christ. Christians are no longer to live as slaves of sin, but as saints set apart for God. Though believers may occasionally stumble, they are not to live under sin’s dominion, because Christ has made them free (John 8:34-36). By the Spirit, they can reflect the Father’s mercy even toward those who mistreat them.

Luke 6:37-38 (NKJV)
37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

Jesus warns His disciples against a harsh, condemning, and unforgiving spirit. “Judge not” does not mean we can never discern right from wrong, because Jesus also teaches us to recognize fruit and help others with their faults. But He forbids hypocritical, merciless judgment that looks down on others. His followers must not be quick to condemn, but ready to forgive. He also teaches generosity: when we give freely and mercifully, God deals with us abundantly. The picture of a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over shows overflowing blessing. The principle is that the way we treat others matters. If we use a harsh measure, we should not expect mercy; but if we show mercy, forgiveness, and generosity, God will measure back to us in the same spirit.

Luke 6:39-42 (NKJV)
39 And He spoke a parable to them: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?
40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
41 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye?
42 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”

Jesus warns that a blind person cannot safely lead another blind person, because both will fall into the ditch. This applies especially to spiritual leaders and teachers who lack true understanding. A disciple becomes like his teacher, so it is important to follow Christ and be trained by Him, not by blind guides. Jesus then uses the picture of a speck and a plank to teach self-examination. It is hypocritical to focus on a small fault in someone else while ignoring a much greater problem in ourselves. Jesus does not say we should never help our brother; He says we must first remove the plank from our own eye so we can see clearly. True correction must come from humility, repentance, and love, not pride or hypocrisy.

Luke 6:43-45 (NKJV)
43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Jesus teaches that a person’s life reveals the condition of the heart, just as a tree is known by its fruit. A good tree does not produce bad fruit, and a bad tree does not produce good fruit. In the same way, good actions and words come from a heart that has good treasure within, while evil words and actions come from an evil heart. This shows that outward behavior is connected to inward character. The mouth especially reveals what fills the heart, because “out of the abundance of the heart” the mouth speaks. Therefore, true righteousness is not merely outward religion; it begins with a heart changed by God, producing the fruit of truth, love, mercy, and obedience.

Luke 6:46-49 (NKJV)
46 “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like:
48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.
49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Jesus ends His teaching by warning that it is not enough to call Him “Lord” while refusing to obey Him. True discipleship means coming to Jesus, hearing His words, and doing them. The person who obeys is like a man who builds his house on a strong foundation, digging deep and laying it on the rock. When the flood comes, the house stands because it is firmly founded. But the person who hears Jesus’ words and does not obey is like a man who builds without a foundation. When the storm comes, the house collapses, and its ruin is great. The storm represents trials, temptations, judgment, and the testing of life. Only a life built on Christ’s words through obedience will stand. This shows that genuine faith is not only hearing or professing, but living under the lordship of Christ.