Jesus invokes David's temple bread violation to justify Sabbath grain-plucking, then immediately demonstrates his "Lord of the Sabbath" authority by healing—escalating from legal precedent to divine prerogative.
Luke 6
Controversies about the Sabbath
1Now on the second Sabbath after the first, he was going through the grain fields. His disciples plucked the heads of grain and ate, rubbing them in their hands.
2But some of the Pharisees said to them, “Why do you do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”
3Jesus, answering them, said, “Haven’t you read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,
4how he entered into God’s house, and took and ate the show bread, and gave also to those who were with him, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone?”
5He said to them, “The Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”
6It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered into the synagogue and taught. There was a man there, and his right hand was withered.
7The scribes and the Pharisees watched him, to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against him.
8But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise up and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood.
9Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill?”
10He looked around at them all, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He did, and his hand was restored as sound as the other.
11But they were filled with rage, and talked with one another about what they might do to Jesus.
The Choosing of the Twelve Apostles
12In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.
13When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
14Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
15Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon who was called the Zealot;
16Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
The Sermon on the Plain
17He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases,
18as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits; and they were being healed.
19All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out of him and healed them all.
20He lifted up his eyes to his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for God’s Kingdom is yours.
21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
22Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude and mock you, and throw out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake.
23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven, for their fathers did the same thing to the prophets.
24“But woe to you who are rich! For you have received your consolation.
25Woe to you, you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep.
26Woe, when men speak well of you, for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
27“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
29To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also.
30Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
31“As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.
32“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
35But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
36“Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
37Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
38“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with the same measure you measure it will be measured back to you.”
39He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?
40A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.
41Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
42Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.
43“For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces good fruit.
44For each tree is known by its own fruit. For people don’t gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush.
45The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
46“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say?
47Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words and does them, I will show you who he is like.
48He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock.
49But he who hears and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
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Theme
Luke 6 presents Jesus asserting his authority over religious traditions through two Sabbath controversies, followed by his selection of the twelve apostles after a night of prayer. The chapter culminates with the Sermon on the Plain, where Jesus delivers his foundational teaching on kingdom values, pronouncing blessings on the poor and persecuted while warning the wealthy and comfortable. This pivotal chapter establishes both Jesus' core team and his revolutionary message that challenges conventional religious and social expectations.
Context
Following Jesus' growing popularity and conflicts with religious leaders in chapter 5, this chapter marks a turning point as Jesus formally establishes his apostolic team and articulates his kingdom message before the mounting opposition intensifies.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-5 Sabbath Controversy: Grain Fields Jesus defends his disciples' grain picking by citing David's example and declaring himself Lord of the Sabbath.
- 6-11 Sabbath Controversy: Healing the Withered Hand Jesus heals a man's withered hand in the synagogue, challenging Pharisees about doing good on the Sabbath and provoking their rage.
- 12-16 Selection of the Twelve Apostles After praying all night, Jesus chooses twelve disciples to be his apostles, including the future betrayer Judas Iscariot.
- 17-19 Ministry to the Crowds Jesus descends to minister to large crowds from across the region, healing diseases and casting out unclean spirits.
- 20-49 The Sermon on the Plain Jesus delivers his great sermon with beatitudes and woes, teaching about love for enemies, judgment, and practical discipleship.
Controversies about the Sabbath
6:1–6:11 gospel debate defiant
Jesus defends his disciples' Sabbath activities and heals a man's withered hand, asserting his authority as Lord of the Sabbath while challenging religious leaders' interpretations of the law.
person_contrast
Jesus invokes David's temple bread violation to justify Sabbath grain-plucking, then immediately demonstrates his "Lord of the Sabbath" authority by healing—escalating from legal precedent to divine prerogative.
The Choosing of the Twelve Apostles
6:12–6:16 gospel narration solemn
After spending all night in prayer, Jesus chooses twelve disciples to be his apostles, marking a pivotal moment in establishing his ministry leadership.
person_contrast
Jesus's all-night prayer vigil before selecting the Twelve contrasts sharply with his typical portrayal of immediate authority, suggesting divine consultation preceded this foundational leadership decision.
The Sermon on the Plain
6:17–6:49 gospel instruction hopeful
Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Plain, pronouncing blessings on the poor and persecuted while teaching about love for enemies and the principles of God's kingdom.
person_contrast
Luke's "Sermon on the Plain" uniquely pairs Jesus's divine authority to heal diseases and cast out demons with radical teachings about loving enemies and blessing persecutors.
Insights
Jesus's all-night prayer vigil before selecting the Twelve contrasts sharply with his typical portrayal of immediate authority, suggesting divine consultation preceded this foundational leadership decision.
Luke's "Sermon on the Plain" uniquely pairs Jesus's divine authority to heal diseases and cast out demons with radical teachings about loving enemies and blessing persecutors.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Luke 6:1 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 12:1 Lexical
At that time, Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the grain fields. His disciples were hungry and began to pluck heads…
Mark 2:23 Lexical
He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of gr…
Mark 7:5 Lexical
The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but ea…
Matthew 15:2 Lexical
“Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Luke 6:2 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 2:24 Lexical
The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?”
Matthew 12:2 Lexical
But the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”
Luke 14:3 Lexical
Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
Luke 6:3 2 references
Luke 6:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 12:4 Lexical
how he entered into God’s house and ate the show bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with…
Mark 2:26 Lexical
How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to…
Luke 14:1 Lexical
When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him.
Luke 9:13 Lexical
But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless…
John 6:31 Lexical
Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’”
Luke 6:6 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 6:2 Lexical
When the Sabbath had come, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “Where did…
Mark 1:21 Lexical
They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught.
Mark 3:1 Lexical
He entered again into the synagogue, and there was a man there whose hand was withered.
Matthew 12:10 Lexical
And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that the…
Luke 13:10 Lexical
He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day.
Luke 6:8 1 reference
Luke 6:9 3 references
Lexicals 3
Mark 3:4 Lexical
He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm? To save a life or to kill?” But they were si…
1 Peter 3:17 Lexical
For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing what is right than for doing evil.
3 John 1:11 Lexical
Beloved, don’t imitate that which is evil, but that which is good. He who does good is of God. He who does evil hasn’t s…
Luke 6:10 2 references
Luke 6:12 1 reference
Luke 6:13 2 references
Luke 6:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Acts 1:13 Lexical
When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Phi…
Mark 3:18 Lexical
Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
Matthew 10:2 Lexical
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the so…
John 1:40 Lexical
One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
Mark 1:29 Lexical
Immediately, when they had come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
Luke 6:15 3 references
Lexicals 3
Acts 1:13 Lexical
When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying, that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Phi…
Mark 3:18 Lexical
Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
Matthew 10:3 Lexical
Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddae…
Luke 6:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
Mark 3:8 Lexical
from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what g…
Mark 3:7 Lexical
Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea,
Acts 6:7 Lexical
The word of God increased and the number of the disciples greatly multiplied in Jerusalem. A great company of the priest…
Luke 23:27 Lexical
A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him.
Matthew 4:25 Lexical
Great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Luke 6:18 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 10:1 Lexical
He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal e…
Acts 8:7 Lexical
For unclean spirits came out of many of those who had them. They came out, crying with a loud voice. Many who had been p…
Acts 5:16 Lexical
The multitude also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by…
Luke 6:19 2 references
Luke 6:20 3 references
Luke 6:21 1 reference
Luke 6:22 2 references
Luke 6:23 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 5:12 Lexical
Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who w…
Matthew 24:36 Lexical
“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
Mark 13:32 Lexical
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 6:1 Lexical
“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from you…
Luke 6:25 4 references
Lexicals 4
Revelation 18:19 Lexical
They cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and mourning, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, in which all who had…
Luke 1:53 Lexical
He has filled the hungry with good things. He has sent the rich away empty.
Revelation 18:15 Lexical
The merchants of these things, who were made rich by her, will stand far away for the fear of her torment, weeping and m…
James 4:9 Lexical
Lament, mourn, and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
Luke 6:27 1 reference
Luke 6:28 2 references
Luke 6:33 1 reference
Luke 6:34 1 reference
Luke 6:35 1 reference
Luke 6:38 3 references
Lexicals 3
Matthew 7:2 Lexical
For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to…
Revelation 21:17 Lexical
Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel.
Mark 4:24 Lexical
He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will…
Luke 6:39 2 references
Luke 6:40 1 reference
Luke 6:41 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 7:3 Lexical
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:5 Lexical
You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your b…
Matthew 7:4 Lexical
Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
Luke 10:23 Lexical
Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see,
Luke 6:42 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 7:5 Lexical
You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your b…
Matthew 7:4 Lexical
Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?
Matthew 7:3 Lexical
Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?
Matthew 12:29 Lexical
Or how can one enter into the house of the strong man and plunder his goods, unless he first bind the strong man? Then h…
Matthew 5:24 Lexical
leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer yo…
Luke 6:43 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 7:18 Lexical
A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Matthew 7:17 Lexical
Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.
Matthew 12:33 Lexical
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by…
Matthew 3:10 Lexical
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and cas…
Luke 3:9 Lexical
Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and…
Luke 6:44 4 references
Lexicals 4
Matthew 7:16 Lexical
By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?
Matthew 7:18 Lexical
A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.
Revelation 14:18 Lexical
Another angel came out from the altar, he who has power over fire, and he called with a great voice to him who had the s…
Matthew 12:33 Lexical
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by…
Luke 6:45 2 references
Luke 6:48 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 7:25 Lexical
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded o…
Luke 14:29 Lexical
Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him,
Matthew 7:24 Lexical
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on t…
Matthew 7:27 Lexical
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
Luke 16:3 Lexical
“The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I…
Luke 6:49 5 references
Lexicals 5
Matthew 7:27 Lexical
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”
Matthew 7:25 Lexical
The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded o…
Matthew 7:26 Lexical
Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.
Matthew 7:24 Lexical
“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on t…
Matthew 10:14 Lexical
Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
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