Luke 6:20-25

We are our brothers keeper…Jesus said so!

Luke 6:20-25

20 Then He lifted up His eyes toward His disciples, and said:

“Blessed are you poor,

For yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are you who hunger now,

For you shall be filled. 

Blessed are you who weep now,

For you shall laugh.

22 Blessed are you when men hate you,

And when they exclude you,

And revile you, and cast out your name as evil,

For the Son of Man’s sake.

23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy!

For indeed your reward is great in heaven,

For in like manner their fathers did to the prophets.

24 “But woe to you who are rich,

For you have received your consolation.

25 Woe to you who are full,

For you shall hunger.

Woe to you who laugh now,

For you shall mourn and weep.

In Luke, these beatitudes focus on the socioeconomic conditions of first-century Palestine. This refers to those who mourn over the brokenness of the present world and the suffering it causes. They will experience great joy when God’s kingdom arrives in full, upon Jesus’ second coming. Jesus praises both those who suffer for the sake of doing what is right and also those who experience persecution because of their allegiance to Jesus Himself. Jesus notes that earthly riches are temporary, while heavenly riches are permanent. He tells a rich young man to sell all of his earthly possessions and receive treasure in heaven.

Luke includes woes to accompany the beatitudes—these are commonly called antitheses to the beatitudes. Using a common apocalyptic motif, Jesus declares that the present circumstances of the rich and poor will be reversed in the future. Faithlife Bible.

Though Jesus was speaking to the entire crowd, the beatitudes were directed to the disciples. Blessed means “happy,” referring to the special joy and favor that comes upon those who experience God’s grace.  In general, the disciples of Jesus were not wealthy. They were poor men who had come humbly to trust in God. All of the promises of God’s rule both now and in the future belong to such disciples.

The reason for the hunger and poverty is  persecution. Jesus promised that God would provide the disciples with all the sustenance they needed. Any present suffering will be turned into joy.

God is aware of all suffering. 

Luke records many of Jesus’ critical remarks about the wealthy. Their wealth typically blinds them to their spiritual poverty and their need for salvation. NKJ Bible.

Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,For they shall be filled.

Luke 12:21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”