This commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
4How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Is Jesus saying this woe to western Christians, is it wrong to have food and be full?
Psalm 37:25 tells us that the righteous aren’t hungry. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Psalm 37:19 in the same chapter we read “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”
We can conclude that Jesus is not speaking against those that are full and have no want of food as the righteous are promised these things. Rather, He must be speaking of trusting in them. In a sense of ah, I have no needs, I have no need of Jesus or God in my life. This can blind a person and one day they will hunger and thirst like the parable of the rich man.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
There are a few ways to view forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Under the New Covenant, there is a clear reversal in order, we now forgive because God has already forgiven us:
Colossians 3:13 “forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
A lack of forgiveness reveals the condition of the heart, whether it is soft or hard.
A Christian may struggle with forgiveness and need to work through it. But when we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God gives us His love. This same love that forgave us of all our sins now lives within us.
With this in mind, it becomes easier to forgive those who sin against us. More importantly, we now have the power to forgive because God’s love is in us:
God’s love is in us
Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
See also John 7:38; Galatians 5:22; Matthew 7:17–18
Love produces forgiveness, consistent with the biblical definition of love (cf. 1 Cor. 13)
1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
As 1 Corinthians 13 defines love in terms of action, kindness, bearing all things, enduring all, genuine love necessarily expresses itself in forgiveness. A heart transformed by God’s love will be inclined to forgive others.
See also 1 John 3:14–15
The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23–35) illustrates the consequences of failing to forgive.
If the servant is interpreted as a believer who has first received God’s full forgiveness, then his refusal to forgive others demonstrates a heart that has not fully internalized God’s mercy. As a result, Jesus warns that he is “delivered to the tormentors” (v. 34), indicating a form of disciplinary chastisement rather than loss of salvation.
This parallels Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:5, where the sinning believer is said to have his “spirit saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” while his body is “delivered unto Satan” for the destruction of the flesh. Both passages emphasize that forgiven believers who persist in hardness or unforgiveness are subject to corrective consequences, even though their eternal standing remains secure.
38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
This is reminiscent of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 where He said only those that do the will of the Father will enter heaven “but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
So what is the thing or things we must do?
The only thing we must do is believe upon Him as John 6:40 states: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The plurality of “things” can also be seen here in Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in John 6:28-29 when He answers the plural “works” word with the singular form “work”: ”Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
Why would He be telling His disciples they don’t do what He says? It should be noted that even though He spoke these things to His disciples as verse 20 says “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said”there were other people there who were also listening as verse 17 says “a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem”, “which came to hear him”.
47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
6
Luke 6 — Forever Word commentary
King James VersionThis commentary is a work in progress and may be revised as study continues. If you have a question, spot an error, or want to discuss a passage, please reach out.
1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
4How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?
5And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered.
7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?
10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
Is Jesus saying this woe to western Christians, is it wrong to have food and be full?
Psalm 37:25 tells us that the righteous aren’t hungry. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”
Psalm 37:19 in the same chapter we read “They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.”
We can conclude that Jesus is not speaking against those that are full and have no want of food as the righteous are promised these things. Rather, He must be speaking of trusting in them. In a sense of ah, I have no needs, I have no need of Jesus or God in my life. This can blind a person and one day they will hunger and thirst like the parable of the rich man.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
There are a few ways to view forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
Under the New Covenant, there is a clear reversal in order, we now forgive because God has already forgiven us:
Colossians 3:13 “forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
A lack of forgiveness reveals the condition of the heart, whether it is soft or hard.
A Christian may struggle with forgiveness and need to work through it. But when we believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God gives us His love. This same love that forgave us of all our sins now lives within us.
With this in mind, it becomes easier to forgive those who sin against us. More importantly, we now have the power to forgive because God’s love is in us:
God’s love is in us
Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
See also John 7:38; Galatians 5:22; Matthew 7:17–18
Love produces forgiveness, consistent with the biblical definition of love (cf. 1 Cor. 13)
1 John 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
As 1 Corinthians 13 defines love in terms of action, kindness, bearing all things, enduring all, genuine love necessarily expresses itself in forgiveness. A heart transformed by God’s love will be inclined to forgive others.
See also 1 John 3:14–15
The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23–35) illustrates the consequences of failing to forgive.
If the servant is interpreted as a believer who has first received God’s full forgiveness, then his refusal to forgive others demonstrates a heart that has not fully internalized God’s mercy. As a result, Jesus warns that he is “delivered to the tormentors” (v. 34), indicating a form of disciplinary chastisement rather than loss of salvation.
This parallels Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 5:5, where the sinning believer is said to have his “spirit saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” while his body is “delivered unto Satan” for the destruction of the flesh. Both passages emphasize that forgiven believers who persist in hardness or unforgiveness are subject to corrective consequences, even though their eternal standing remains secure.
38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
This is reminiscent of what Jesus said in Matthew 7:21 where He said only those that do the will of the Father will enter heaven “but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
So what is the thing or things we must do?
The only thing we must do is believe upon Him as John 6:40 states: “And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The plurality of “things” can also be seen here in Jesus’ response to the Pharisees in John 6:28-29 when He answers the plural “works” word with the singular form “work”: ”Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.”
Why would He be telling His disciples they don’t do what He says? It should be noted that even though He spoke these things to His disciples as verse 20 says “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said” there were other people there who were also listening as verse 17 says “a great multitude of people out of all Judaea and Jerusalem”, “which came to hear him”.
47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.