Luke 6:1-49 King James Bible KJV

Jesus and the Sabbath, the Choosing of the Twelve Apostles, The Beatitudes and Woes, Judging Others, Parable of the Builders

Luke 6:1-49 King James Bible KJV. Luke Chapter 6 presents a series of teachings and actions by Jesus that highlight themes of compassion, justice, the kingdom of God, and the transformation He calls for in His followers’ lives. The chapter focuses on Jesus’ interaction with the Pharisees, His selection of the twelve apostles, and His teachings on living a righteous life in alignment with God’s values. Luke Chapter 6 emphasizes the radical nature of Jesus’ teachings

• Compassion Over Legalism: Jesus redefines how people should interpret God’s laws, focusing on love, mercy, and human need over strict legalism.
• Radical Love and Mercy: The teachings on loving enemies, avoiding judgment, and showing mercy highlight the transformative love that characterizes the kingdom of God. Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of love and forgiveness.
• Kingdom Values: Through the Beatitudes and the contrasts between the rich and poor, Jesus reveals that God’s kingdom operates on different values than the world. It exalts the lowly and promises justice for the oppressed.
• Living Out Faith: The final parables stress that true discipleship means hearing and obeying Jesus’ words, building a life that reflects God’s values and withstands life’s challenges.

Luke 6:1-49 King James Bible KJV
—————-

Jesus and the Sabbath – verses 1-11
Jesus and His disciples are criticized by the Pharisees for picking grain on the Sabbath. Jesus responds by teaching that He is the “Lord of the Sabbath.” He then heals a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on the Sabbath, further angering the Pharisees. This section illustrates Jesus’ authority over religious traditions and rules. The Sabbath, intended as a day of rest and worship, had become burdened by rigid legalism in the Pharisees’ interpretation. Jesus reclaims the Sabbath as a day for doing good and meeting human needs, showing that God’s laws are meant to promote life and mercy, not merely follow tradition. His declaration as “Lord of the Sabbath” highlights His divinity and authority over the law.

The Choosing of the Twelve Apostles – verses 12-16
Jesus spends the night in prayer and then chooses twelve men from among His disciples to be His apostles. The selection of the twelve apostles signifies the establishment of a new community, symbolizing the twelve tribes of Israel, and highlights the continuity and renewal of God’s covenant. Jesus carefully chooses those who will be key leaders in spreading His message and advancing the kingdom of God. This selection process shows the importance of prayer, discernment, and the call to serve God’s mission.

The Sermon on the Plain – verses 17-49
This section is similar to the “Sermon on the Mount” in Matthew, but with some key differences. The sermon outlines Jesus’ radical teachings on love, justice, and the nature of God’s kingdom:

• The Beatitudes and Woes – verses 20-26
  Jesus pronounces blessings on the poor, the hungry, the mourning, and the persecuted, while pronouncing woes on the rich, the well-fed, those who laugh now, and those who are praised. The Beatitudes flip the world’s values upside down, exalting those who are typically marginalized and oppressed, while warning those who are comfortable and wealthy. Jesus is announcing the values of God’s kingdom, which prioritizes humility, dependence on God, and a future hope of justice and restoration.
• Love for Enemies – verses 27-36
  Jesus teaches radical love, urging His followers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and bless those who curse them. He encourages His disciples to be merciful, just as God is merciful. This command to love one’s enemies goes beyond natural human tendencies and reflects God’s unconditional love. It challenges followers of Christ to live with a heart of compassion and mercy, reflecting God’s character, even toward those who mistreat them.
• Judging Others – verses 37-42
  Jesus instructs His disciples not to judge or condemn others, but to forgive and show mercy. He uses the analogy of removing the “plank” from one’s own eye before addressing the “speck” in someone else’s eye. This teaching emphasizes self-examination and humility. Jesus warns against hypocrisy and encourages His followers to focus on their own spiritual growth and forgiveness rather than harshly judging others. It calls for mercy and understanding in human relationships.
• The Tree and Its Fruit – verses 43-45
  Jesus uses the metaphor of a tree and its fruit to teach that good deeds flow from a good heart, and evil deeds come from an evil heart. This teaching stresses the importance of inner transformation. Jesus emphasizes that the true measure of a person is not just outward actions, but the state of their heart. A heart aligned with God will produce good fruit, meaning a life characterized by love, mercy, and righteousness.
• The Wise and Foolish Builders – verses 46-49
  Jesus concludes with a parable about two men: one who builds his house on a solid foundation (representing someone who hears and obeys Jesus’ teachings) and one who builds on shaky ground (representing someone who hears but does not obey). This parable underscores the importance of putting Jesus’ teachings into practice. Those who follow His words will have a strong foundation for their lives, able to withstand trials and difficulties. It is a call to not only listen to Jesus’ words but to live them out faithfully.

Luke 6:1-49 King James Bible KJV

1 And 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.
2 And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3 And 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;
4 How 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?
5 And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6 And 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.
7 And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
8 But 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.
9 Then 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?
10 And 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.
11 And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.

12 And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13 And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14 Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16 And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

17 And 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 Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18 And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
22 Blessed 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.
23 Rejoice 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.
24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25 Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And 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.
35 But 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.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, 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.
39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42 Either 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.

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45 A 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.
46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48 He 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.
49 But 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.