Notes on Luke 6:35-49

Luke 6:35

love . . . do good . . . lend. Jesus reiterated the importance of his previous instructions (vv. 32-34). reward. Not the gain of earthly riches, but heavenly joy (12:33-34). sons of the Most High. Children resemble their parents. For those that follow Jesus, his Father becomes their Father (Rom. 8:12-15; Gal. 4:1-7). Therefore, his disciples should seek to imitate their Father (Matt. 5:9, 48). See HC 110.

Luke 6:36

merciful. Here is the underlying reason why we should love the way Jesus tells us to love—because this is how God loves. He is kind to the ungrateful and evil. He is merciful to those who don't deserve it, even his people (see Rom. 5:8; 9:23; 1 John 4:19). See HC 107.

Luke 6:37

judge. This cannot be an absolute prohibition because Jesus elsewhere encourages making judgments (John 7:24) even as he did (11:39-52; Matt. 12:34). Rather, he is speaking about a judgmental attitude toward others. It is seen in an undue harshness towards others. This kind of judging assumes the worst in people and springs from an attitude of self-righteousness (Rom 2:1-3). It seeks to condemn individuals before all the facts are known. This is antithetical to Christian love (see Matt. 12:7; Jam. 5:6). Forgive. Forgiveness is about not holding their actions against them in the relationship. It's about letting go of feelings of anger or hatred toward a person. Jesus's disciples should be marked by forgiveness because they have been forgiven by God (Pss. 103:8-12; 111:4; see Matt. 6:14). See HC 112.

Luke 6:38

Jesus is drawing from the everyday setting of the market. Certain things were sold not by weight but volume in the first century. Getting a good measure meant letting what was poured into the vessel be pressed down, shaken together, until it was spilling over the sides. Those in God's kingdom give love generously and receive back it back from God in full and overflowing measure (2 Cor. 9:6-8). See WLC 141

Luke 6:39-49

Jesus ended his teaching with a warning to not ignore his message. He moves from a general teaching about discernment (vv. 39-42) to more specific teaching about himself and his authority (vv. 43-49). The point is that listening, believing, and obey him will bring about true righteousness.

Luke 6:39

parable. That is made up of three parts (v. 39, v. 40, and vv. 41-42). blind . . . guide. Jesus painted an absurd picture for us to highlight the seriousness of his teaching. The Pharisees have been blind guides rather than reliable spiritual teachers (Matt. 23:16). Thus, he warned his disciples not to follow their teaching. They must evaluate those that are exerting an influence in their lives, lest they follow someone to ruin.

Luke 6:40

Jesus made clear that a disciple is molded into the image of his teacher. Therefore, it is essential to pick the right teacher. Implicitly, Jesus and those who are his true disciples are the only reliable teachers.

Luke 6:41-42

Another ironic picture highlights the obvious danger. In this last scene of the parable a man with a log in his eye attempts to pick out a tiny piece of straw from the eye of another. Jesus identified the importance of living without hypocrisy. His disciples must recognize and deal with their faults before they can help others.

Luke 6:43-45

Another parable that highlights the importance of a good teacher. The nature of the tree determines the kind of fruit it will produce. Likewise, heart of a person will produce good or evil depending on what is in him (see Prov. 1:31; 13:2; 18:20-21; Jer. 17:10). Only when the heart is filled with good treasure will it produce an abundance of good (3:7-9; 12:34). By listening to and believing Jesus will one experience a change of heart, and thus produce the fruit of good works (see John 15:1-17). See HC 64.

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