Notes on Luke 6:15-49

Luke 6:15

Matthew. Also called Levi, he was a wealthy tax collector (5:27-29; Matt. 9:9-13). After following Jesus, he hosted a feast and invited other sinners to meet Jesus (5:29-32). Thomas. Also called Didymus (John 11:26; 20:24; 21:2) his name meant twin. James son of Alphaeus. Because Levi is also called the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14), this could be his brother. Simon. Being a Zealot meant that he had been part of a group dedicated to holy war against Rome. Ironically, this would make Simon deeply opposed to Matthew's work of collaborating with Rome. Nevertheless, the grace of Jesus brought these men together.

Luke 6:16

Judas son of James. Possibly also named Thaddeus, who holds the same position in the list of apostles in other Gospels (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18). Judas Iscariot. One who would ultimately betray Jesus to the Jews (22:3-6, 47-48; Acts 1:16-20). Iscariot could be a family name, but more likely comes from a region in Judea (Josh. 15:25; Jer. 31:24; John 6:71; 13:26).

Jesus's Sermon on the Plain - Luke 6:17-49

Having called his disciples to himself and set apart twelve as apostles, he taught them about his kingdom. Specifically, he presented the essentials of the lifestyle that would mark his disciples. This is not about how to enter the kingdom, but how the church ought to live in the world now that the kingdom of God has dawned. In this way, Jesus redefined life for his followers. There are many similarities and differences between these verses and Matt. 5:1–7:29. Some believe these are two separate events that included similar teaching material. It is possible that Jesus taught similar material at different times given the itinerate nature of his ministry, especially since this sermon is said to be on a "plain" and the one in Matthew is on a "mount." It is also possible, though less likely, that this is same sermon as the one in Matthew but edited differently for their respective audiences (Gentiles vs. Jews). This section begins with a summary introduction (6:17-19), followed by three sections of teaching (6:20-26; 6:27-38; and 6:39-49).

Luke 6:17

mountain . . . level place. Matthew only focused on the mountain as a location (Matt. 5:1). However, Luke further detailed that Jesus gathered people on a plain somewhere on the mountainside. disciples. The primary audience for this teaching (v. 20). Judea and Jerusalem . . . Tyre and Sidon. The old covenant people who were largely made up of the physical descendants of Abraham. Jesus was calling spiritual Israel to himself, made up of Jews and Gentiles (see Rom. 9:6-8; Gal. 3:7-9, 27-29). The inclusion of the Gentiles would begin in earnest much later, after Jesus death and resurrection (see Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8; 10:1–11:26; 13:1-2). But there were already hints of it here (see 10:13-14).

Luke 6:18

A summary of Jesus's ministry. He taught with authority and revealed God's saving power through healing and casting out demons. Luke emphasized his teaching ministry as primary (5:15).

Luke 6:20-26

In this context, blessedness is about a state of well-being and approval when it comes to our relationship to God. It's about receiving the gift of grace when one follows Jesus. In contrast to the statements of blessings (beatitudes) that preceded, Jesus also offered woes (see 16:19-31). These were pronounces of God's wrath and judgment. Jesus reverses the ideas and values of the world when it comes to present and future circumstances. The statements Jesus makes are not absolute, but relative to those who put their faith in him (vv. 20a, 22b).

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