Luke 6

His disciples began to pick the heads of grain: The law allowed this kind of grazing while walking through someone else’s field (Deuteronomy 23:24–25).

The conflicts between Jesus and the religious leaders continued with two disagreements about the Sabbath. The law of Moses required the Jews to rest on the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8–11; Deuteronomy 5:13–14). But the Pharisees had forgotten that the real reason for the Sabbath was to benefit human beings.

Why are you doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?: They did not accuse the disciples of stealing grain, but of working on the Sabbath day. They were breaking rules established by oral tradition.

While fleeing from Saul (1 Samuel 21), David and his companions went to Nob, a place where the tabernacle was located. The priest Ahimelech gave them the consecrated Bread of the Presence (special bread set before God) that only priests were allowed to eat (Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:9).

Jesus meant that meeting human needs is more important than strictly following the law. There may also be a comparison between David and Jesus, since both were chosen and anointed as kings of Israel.

Lord of the Sabbath: The saying is a play on words with a double meaning:

• Son of man often means "human being." So Jesus was affirming that the Sabbath day was made to serve human beings.

• Son of Man was also a title for the Christ (God's chosen king; see Daniel 7:13–14).

Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath because he created it.

• were watching Him closely: Jesus had a reputation for putting human needs above Sabbath commands. So, the religious leaders hoped to catch Jesus working on the Sabbath day.

• if He would heal on the Sabbath: The Jewish rabbis in the time of Jesus debated whether the law allowed people to offer medical help on the Sabbath. It was usually allowed only in extreme emergencies. The withered hand was clearly not an emergency.

Get up and stand among us: Jesus did not avoid controversy. He was willing to confront the Pharisees’ hypocrisy directly.

to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?: This question challenged the religious leaders' intentions. They were plotting against Jesus (an evil act) because he was going to heal someone (a good act).

He spent the night in prayer to God: See study note on 3:21. Jesus prayed before important events and decisions such as choosing the Twelve, who would carry on his ministry after him.

• Disciples were students and followers, while apostles were specially commissioned representatives.

• The number twelve symbolically represents the twelve tribes of Israel. The apostles represented the restored people of God.

Simon, whom He named Peter: The name Peter means "rock" or "stone" (see Matthew 16:18).

• Matthew, also called Levi, was the tax collector for the Romans (see 5:27; Matthew 9:9; 10:3).

• Simon called the Zealot: This title probably meant that he had joined the Zealot movement, a group of Jews actively seeking to overthrow the Roman government.

• The apostles Jesus chose were very different from each other. These two men would not normally have worked together.

• Judas (son of James) was probably also called Thaddaeus (Matthew 10:3; Mark 3:18). He was a different person from Judas Iscariot or Jude the half-brother of Jesus (who wrote the New Testament book of Jude).

• Judas Iscariot: Iscariot probably means “from Kerioth,” a village 19 kilometers (12 miles) south of Hebron.

all over Judea, Jerusalem, and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon: Tyre and Sidon were coastal cities on the Mediterranean Sea northwest of Galilee. Jesus was gaining wide popularity.

The main theme of the great sermon of Jesus is that those who repent and enter the kingdom of God will live in a truly righteous way.

poor … you who hunger: Compare Matthew 5:3, 6. This statement likely refers to both physical and spiritual poverty. Poverty and suffering tend to make us more dependent on God. The Old Testament includes many promises that God will feed and comfort his people (Psalms 22:26; 107:36–41; 126:1–6; Isaiah 49:10–13; 51:3; 65:13).

God blesses those who admit their weaknesses and seek strength from God. The value system of God’s kingdom is radically different from the world’s value system, in which power and strength represent success.

treated the prophets in the same way: See “The Suffering Prophet” Theme Note.

Promises of blessing for the poor and oppressed are balanced in Luke with predictions of sorrow for the rich and powerful. Those who trust in themselves will be humbled, while those who depend on God will be blessed. The Old Testament prophets often pronounced woes against nations and rulers who oppressed God’s people and rejected his authority (for example, Isaiah 3:11; 5:8; Jeremiah 50:27; Zechariah 11:17).

Love your enemies: People were commonly taught in the ancient world to love their family and friends and hate their enemies. Jesus announced a radical new ethic of loving even one’s enemies and overcoming evil through self-sacrificial love for others, not through violence and hatred (compare Romans 12:14–21).

if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back: This means we can stop the cycle of hate and violence by responding with good, not evil (Romans 12:17). We win the world through love that expects nothing in return.

Jesus was not promoting injustice, as though believers should let criminals take advantage of the weak. God established governments to punish evildoers (Romans 13:1–5).

Do to others as you would have them do to you: This saying is often called the Golden Rule. Versions of the Golden Rule appear in many religious and philosophical traditions. In the teaching of Jesus, however, love for all people (including enemies) is not merely one virtue among others but the foundational ethic that governs all behavior.

The law of Moses did not allow charging interest on loans to fellow Israelites in order to prevent taking advantage of those who were poor (Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:35–37; Deuteronomy 23:20). Jesus also taught his followers to lend without expecting repayment. By doing good even to those who do wrong, Christians act as children of the Most High and imitate our Father in heaven, who is merciful to everyone (compare Romans 5:8).

Do not judge: Jesus condemned judging others in a way that is not honest by acting better than them. Those who judge others this way will experience that same standard. God wants his people to love others by warning them about the dangers of sin (Galatians 6:1; Hebrews 3:13). To encourage is an act of love. To judge as a hypocrite is an act of pride.

pressed down, shaken together: A generous grain merchant would top off the buyer’s container, press it down, shake it to make more room, and then pour until the grain overflowed into the buyer’s lap.

the beam in your own eye: Jesus did not say that we should ignore the speck in another person’s eye. Instead, he said that we must first correct our own faults so that we can see clearly enough to help remove the speck. Jesus condemned hypocritical judgment, but he wanted his followers to lovingly help one another turn away from sin.

What people receive and value inside themselves will shape how they live. What they keep within their thoughts and desires will come out in their actions.

he one who hears My words and does not act on them: See Ezekiel 33:31–33.