See on Matthew 12:1-14; Mark 2:23 to Mark 3:6. Luke's account resembles more closely that of Mark, but the arguments in regard to Sabbath observance are found in both the other narratives. There are a few new details, one of which (the common reading Luke 6:1) has caused much difficulty.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:1. ON A SABBATH. The common reading ‘second-first,' has good support; but is omitted in the oldest and best manuscripts. It is probable that this unusual phrase arose from the putting together of two Greek words (second.. first), which had been written in the margin to distinguish this Sabbat... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:2. ‘Unto them' is to be omitted. Still the disciples are addressed, in Matthew and Mark, our Lord. They remonstrated with those who did the unlawful act, but would make our Lord responsible for it... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:3. HAVE YE NOT READ EVEN THIS? A strong expression (comp. Mark 12:10) implying their utter ignorance of what the Scriptures meant.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:5. In one of the old manuscripts, this verse is placed after Luke 6:10, and instead of it here words to this effect: ‘Observing on the same day one laboring on the Sabbath, He said to him: if thou knowest what thou doest, thou art blessed; if thou knowest not, thou art cursed and a transgress... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:6. ON ANOTHER SABBATH. Probably the next one. This seems more likely than that the next day was observed as a Sabbath. RIGHT HAND. Specified by Luke only. Luke 6:7-10 agree closely with Mark's account. Matthew inserts in this connection a thought mentioned by Luke as uttered on a similar o... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:11. FILLED WITH MADNESS. Literally, ‘unwisdom,' foolishness. It is implied that their wicked folly became a senseless rage.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:12. THE MOUNTAIN. Comp. Matthew 5:1. A strong hint of identity with that occasion. CONTINUED ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER TO GOD. Peculiar to Luke. Prayer before the great choice. Conflict too, since Judas was chosen.... [ Continue Reading ]
The choice of the Twelve (Luke 6:12-16). Comp. Mark 3:13-19; Matthew gives the list of Apostles in the account of their being sent forth (Matthew 10; comp. Mark 6:7 ff.; Luke 9:1-6). Luke 6:17-19 describe the multitudes to whom a discourse (Luke 6:20-49) was delivered, which seems to be identical wi... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:13. HIS DISCIPLES. In the wider sense; from this larger company the TWELVE were chosen. APOSTLES. The name was probably given at this time. He intended to send them forth, although the actual sending forth did not take place until after some training. It was in keeping with such training th... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:14-16. THE LIST OF THE APOSTLES as here given presents no difficulties. The E. V. indicates an arrangement in pairs, but the word ‘and' must be inserted before nearly all the names, and thus this arrangement loses its support. The twelve are grouped here, as in all the catalogues, with the na... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:18-19. Comp. Mark 3:10-11, which suggests that this concourse and pressure of those who would be healed began before the choice of the Twelve and continued after they came down. As however the object of their coming was to hear as well as to be healed (Luke 6:17), our Lord teaches them also.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:20. AND HE LIFTED UP HIS EYES _._ This look indicates the solemn opening of His discourse; comp. Matthew 5:2: ‘opened His mouth.' HIS DISCIPLES, in the wider sense, though the Twelve were nearest and the people present. Alford: ‘The discourse was spoken to the disciples generally, to the Tw... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE PLAN of the Sermon on the Mount, see the Chapter comments on Matthew 5. The subject both here and in Matthew is the state and duties of a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. Van Oosterzee gives the following general division of Luke's report: 1. The salutation of Love (Luke 6:17-26); 2. The req... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:21. See on Matthew 5:6; Matthew 5:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:22. Comp. Matthew 5:10-11. Luke, however, inserts the foundation of the persecution: when men shall hate you. This hatred is manifested in what follows: exclude you , etc. This refers to expulsion, or excommunication, from the Jewish synagogue. The separation of Christianity from Judaism is h... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:23. IN THAT DAY, i.e., the day when this happens to you; not in the great day of the future, as in Matthew 7:22. LEAP FOR JOY _. _ Peculiar to Luke.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:24. Rich _,i.e._, fancying themselves possessed of what they crave and need. This class is made up largely of those actually wealthy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:24-26. Peculiar to Luke. The difficulty of inserting them in Matthew's report of the sermon, is one great argument against the identity of the two discourses. Some think they were uttered on a different occasion and inserted here by Luke because of their appropriateness. They agree with the c... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:26. When all men shall speak well of you _. _ This may be addressed, either to the rich, etc., or to the disciples. The former agrees best with what goes before, but the latter is favored by the reference to their fathers, which serves to distinguish those addressed from the Jews. The wider r... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:27. Unto you that hear _,_ I.E., who now hear me. This verse corresponds with Matthew 5:44. (There is no parallel to Matthew 5:13-42, setting forth the contrast between the teaching followed by the Pharisees and the teaching of Christ.) Our Lord could utter woes against these enemies of His p... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:29-30. See on Matthew 5:39-42. The order is varied, but the connection is the same.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:31. See on Matthew 7:12. Some suppose the Golden Rule is inserted here out of its connection, but it includes in general form the precepts of Luke 6:29-30, as well as of Luke 6:27-28.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:32-36. See on Matthew 5:45-48; where, however, the order is different. In Luke 6:32-33, thank (lit. ‘grace') corresponds with ‘reward' in Matthew. NEVER DESPAIRING (LUKE 6:35). Peculiar to Luke, and a peculiar expression. The common interpretation, however appropriate, does not convey the... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:37-38. See on Matthew 7:1-2. The idea is more fully expressed here. PRESSED DOWN, SHAKEN TOGETHER, RUNNING OVER, as when one is measuring grain or some dry thing. There is no allusion to liquids in the last phrase. The whole is a climax. SHALL THEY GIVE. Not ‘men,' nor ‘angels,' as some s... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:39. AND HE SPAKE ALSO A PARABLE TO THEM. This indicates plainly that the connection with what precedes is broken off. Luke 6:39-40 are not found in Matthew's report of the sermon on the mount, but in Matthew 15:14; Matthew 10:24. The close connection with what follows forbids the view that th... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:40. THE DISCIPLE IS NOT ABOVE HIS MASTER, OR TEACHER, etc. See on Matthew 10:24. The connection here is very different. There the principle is assigned as a reason for the disciples' expecting persecution; here it admonishes to be like the Master in humility and charitableness. WHEN HE IS PE... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:42. See on Matthew 7:3-5. Luke 6:43-44. See on Matthew 7:16-18. The connection is with what precedes: ‘If thou dost not see the beam in thine own eye, thou wilt be like the corrupt tree, which cannot possibly bring forth good fruit.'... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:45. See on Matthew 12:35. It is highly improbable that the verse was inserted from that occasion. Constant repetition of fundamental thoughts characterized our Lord's instruction.... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:46-49. This close is the same as in Matthew. Luke 6:45 here answers to Matthew 7:21-23, omitting the allusion to the last day, and taking the form of a direct exhortation. DIGGED AND WENT DEEP (Luke 6:48), _i.e._ digged again and again, until he reached the proper foundation. BECAUSE IT HA... [ Continue Reading ]
Luke 6:47. This verse is to be closely connected with Luke 6:16, which should end with a semicolon; this close connection seems to preclude the previous delivery of a discourse on the top of the mountain. ON A LEVEL PLACE. This refers more naturally to a plain below the mountain, but it can mean a... [ Continue Reading ]