Bible Commentaries
Luke 6

Verse 1

1 Second sabbath after the first has something to do with the relation between the religious and the civil year. It does not have much significance to us with such a translation, and most versions give it simply as "on a sabbath." For comments on taking this corn see those at Mat 12:1.

Verse 2

2 The Pharisees would not accuse the disciples of stealing, for they knew what the law said on the subject of taking the corn, but pretended to object to their doing so on the sabbath because it was a holy day.

Verse 3

4 This paragraph is explained at Mat 12:4.

Verse 5

5 God and his Son are one in purpose and were together in giving the law. Therefore Jesus had the right to apply his own law as he saw fit.

Verse 6

6 Jesus was busy every day and taught the people whenever the opportunity came. His reason for entering the synagogue on sabbath days was because on that day the Jews assembled there to read and hear read the law. The man's hand was withered as a result of some obstruction in the circulation of his blood.

Verse 7

7 The scribes and Pharisees pretended to be zealous for the sanctity of the sabbath. That was only a screen for their envy of Jesus because of his teaching against their hypocritical life.

Verse 8

8 Jesus could read their thoughts and decided to head them off from their intended criticism. The man was told to stand, he being normal except the condition of his hand. This brought him into full view of the people in the building.

Verse 9

9 See the comments on Mar 3:4 for the questions Jesus asked.

Verse 10

0 Jesus looked round to make sure of the attention to his work. The man's hand only was afflicted, hence he was able without miraculous help to stretch out his arm. With that act came the complete restoration of the afflicted hand.

Verse 11

1 Madness is from ANOIA which Thayer explains to be a condition in which they were "expressing themselves in rage." This was because they were completely baffled by the unexpected way in which Jesus handled the case. They communed or consulted with each other as to how they might destroy him.

Verse 12

2 Jesus had an important problem to solve, which was the selection of men to appoint over his kingdom that was at hand. It was fitting that he should spend the preceding hours of night in prayer to his Father.

Verse 13

3 Jesus had many disciples, but out of them he chose twelve only to be his apostles, to be sent into the world with the message of salvation through the Gospel.

Verse 14

6 See the notes at Mat 10:2-4 in connection with this paragraph.

Verse 17

8 This paragraph corresponds with Mat 4:23-25, which see.

Verse 19

9 Virtue is from DUNAMIS, one of the words rendered by "power" in many places. The crowds sought to touch Jesus to obtain this power to cure their diseases.

Verse 20

0 Luke's account of the sermon -on the mount begins with this verse. That sermon is related with more detail by Matthew, likewise my comments are more extended at that place, which are to be found in Matthew 5, 6, , 7. The reader should consult that account in connection with this chapter of Luke.

Verse 21

1 There is some slight variation in the way Luke words these several verses, from the way Matthew gives them, but the thoughts are the same.

Verse 22

2 Another word for blessed is "happy," and the original is so rendered in many passages. These evil treatments must have been inflicted because of their devotion to the Son of man, in order for the disciples to be given this blessing.

Verse 23

3 The blessing was not to be in this life but after reaching heaven. In suffering for the sake of righteousness, the disciples were classed with the prophets.

Verse 24

4 This is somewhat figurative, meaning to be enjoying the pleasures of this world by neglecting the obligation of a righteous life.

Verse 25

5 Full and hunger, laugh and weep, are figures used for the purpose of contrast. The thought is the same as expressed by comments on the preceding verse.

Verse 26

6 A righteous man is not popular with the majority of mankind. If he does his duty he will condemn sin, and that will cause the guilty ones to speak against him.

Verse 27

7 Love your enemies. See the long note at Mat 5:43 on "love."

Verse 28

8 To bless means to wish for something beneficial to happen to one. It does not mean anything merely for pleasure, but that which will actually do him good.

Verse 29

9 See the comments at Mat 5:39.

Verse 30

0 This is explained at Mat 5:42 with its comments.

Verse 31

1 This verse is popularly spoken of as the "golden rule." It is commented upon at length at Mat 7:12 which the reader is urged to consult.

Verse 32

2 See the long note on the word "love" at Mat 5:43.

Verse 33

3 This verse refers to men who bestow favors on others with a selfish motive, thinking chiefly of their own personal gain they hope to get in return.

Verse 34

4 This verse deals with the same selfishness as the preceding one.

Verse 35

5 Love, do good, and the other terms of service to others, are used in the sense of unselfish ministrations for the chief purpose of doing good. If gratitude returns some reward it is right to accept it, but that, should not be the motive. The Highest bestows the blessings of creation on all mankind, and His example is cited as a rule for the disciples to follow.

Verse 36

6 To be merciful means to be more lenient toward an offender than his conduct would entitle him to expect, but not to the extent of encouraging him in wrong doing.

Verse 37

7 Judge not, etc. See the comments at Mat 7:1.

Verse 38

8 Almost every rule has some exceptions, but usually if a man is kind and generous with others, they will remember him when he gets in need. That is the meaning of Pro 18:24 that has been erroneously applied to Christ. That passage is explained in volume 3 of the Old Testament Commentary. The phrases in our verse are figurative, drawn from the act of crowding out unnecessary space in measuring produce.

Verse 39

9 A parable is a comparison. One blind man following another is like a person closing his mental eyes and letting a false teacher tell him how to go.

Verse 40

0 A disciple is a learner, and such a person could not know more than his teacher. Perfect means complete; if the disciple will absorb all of his master's teaching he will be like him which should satisfy him.

Verse 41

2 See the comments on Mat 7:3-5.

Verse 43

4 Trees and shrubs are used to illustrate the lives of men. When we see a man practicing evil we know he has an evil heart. (See Mat 15:19.)

Verse 45

5 Words as well as deeds spring from the heart, whether good or bad.

Verse 46

6 The word "lord" means ruler. It is inconsistent to call Jesus by a name that means one who is in the rule, but then refuse to obey what he commands.

Verse 47

9 This paragraph is explained at Mat 7:24-27.