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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE

CHAPTER SIX:
SABBATH WORKS, APOSTLES CHOSEN,
AND PLAIN TEACHINGS

[“A Simple Sermon”]
Key word: Sayings

Luke 6:1-5 – Breaking the Sabbath?

|| Matthew 12:1-16; 218 Mark 2:23-3:6 219

218	Matthew 12:1-16: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

219	Mark 2:23-3:6: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK6:1 Now it occurred on a Sabbath that Jesus was crossing through grain fields 220 and his disciples were plucking heads of grain and eating them after rubbing them in their hands.

220	Grain fields: Or, corn fields, wheat fields.

LK6:2 Now some of the Pharisees asked: “Why are you doing what is not permissible on the Sabbaths?” LK6:3 So Jesus answered them and said: “Did you never read what David did when he and those with him were hungry? LK6:4 How he entered into God’s House and ate the loaves of presentation he had taken and given to those with him [1 Samuel 21:4, 6] – something that is not permitted except by only the priests?” 221

221	Not permitted except by only the priests: Compare Leviticus 24:9. [Matthew 12:3; Mark 2:25]

LK6:5 Also, he told them: “The Son of Humankind is Lord of the Sabbath.” 222

222	The Son of Humankind is Lord of the Sabbath: The Sabbath law was transmitted by means of angels, particularly the Angel of Yahweh. This statement by Jesus could be an allusion to his pre-existence. [Exodus 14:19; 23:20-23; Acts 7:38, 53; Galatians 3:19]

Luke 6:6-11 – Doing Good on the Sabbath

LK6:6 Now it occurred on another Sabbath when Jesus entered into a synagogue and began to teach there was also a man present with a withered right hand. 223

223	Right hand: Doctor Luke is specific.

LK6:7 The Bible Copyists and Pharisees were keeping an eye on Jesus in order to accuse him if he healed on the Sabbath. LK6:8 However, Jesus realized their thoughts and so he told the man with the withered hand: “Rise and stand in the middle of everyone.” And so the man stood up. LK6:9 Then Jesus asked them: “I ask you all whether it is permissible to do good or evil 224 – to save or destroy a soul 225 – on the Sabbath.”

224	Good or evil: Likely Jesus means: to do good or refrain from doing good, as in the case of either saving a drowning victim or not going to their rescue.

225	Destroy a soul: The “soul” is mortal.

LK6:10 Looking over the audience Jesus said to the man: “Stretch out your hand.” And when he did his hand was restored. LK6:11 However, they were all filled with great anger 226 and began discussing among themselves what they might do about Jesus.

226	Great anger: Or, filled with madness, rage, furious.

Luke 6:12-16 – Apostles Chosen after Prayer

|| Matthew 10:1-4; 227 Mark 3:13-19 228

227	Matthew 10:1-4: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

228	Mark 3:13-19: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK6:12 Now during these days Jesus went up into the mountain to pray, and he spent the whole night in prayer to The God. 229

229	Spent the whole night in prayer to The God: A lesson to all regarding the need for prayer, particularly when appointments are at issue. To whom was Jesus praying? Luke says “to The God” and that Jesus was alone in his prayers.

LK6:13 Now when it was day he summoned his disciples 230 and chose twelve of them whom he called also ‘apostles’ –

230	He summoned his disciples: Luke is unique in mentioning that other disciples were present. Such a choice of twelve men out of a greater number is often a hard thing to swallow for some men. Jealous ambition is to be viewed as a terrible disease in the Church.

LK6:14 Simon (who is also called Peter), and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, LK6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, LK6:16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who later betrayed Jesus.

Luke 6:17-19 – More Cures by Jesus

|| Matthew 4:24, 25; 231 Mark 3:7-12 232

231	Matthew 4:24, 25: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

232	Mark 3:7-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK6:17 Now after Jesus descended with the disciples he stood on a plain 233 where a large number of his disciples and a multitude of people – from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coasts of Tyre and Sidon –

233	He stood on a plain: Or, level place. This will be a different sermon from the one in the mountain. [Matthew 5-7]

LK6:18 came to listen to him and be cured of their illnesses. Those troubled by unclean demons were healed, LK6:19 and all in the crowd wanted to just touch Jesus because power was coming out of him as he healed everyone.

Luke 6:20-26 – Plain Teachings

|| Matthew 5:3-12 234

234	Matthew 5:3-12: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

LK6:20 Then Jesus raised his eyes, and looking over his disciples, he said: “Blessed are the poor, 235 for God’s Realm is yours.

235	Poor: This phrase is slightly different from Matthew 5:3. The audience of Jesus must have rejoiced to hear these first words.

LK6:21 Blessed are those who are now hungry, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are those who are now unhappy, 236 for you will laugh.

236	Unhappy: Or, weep, mourn. In three phrases Jesus has covered the financial, the physical, and the emotional.

LK6:22 Blessed are you when people hate 237 you – and when they excommunicate 238 you – disgrace and expose your name as evil 239 – because of the Son of Humankind.

237	When people hate: Jesus means religious people as the next phrase indicates. [Matthew 5:10; John 17:14]

238	Excommunicate: Or, separate, exclude, ostracize, outlaw, put you away, discriminate. Compare John 16:2. These disciples have belonged to former religions or sects and now are no longer welcome.

239	Disgrace and expose your name as evil: Or, KJV: reproach you and cast out your name. It has all the sound of being read out of the congregation and the name reproached and accused falsely. To many excommunication for apostasy is the ultimate evil.

LK6:23 In that day rejoice and leap for joy, 240 for, behold, your reward is great in the Heaven. They did the same things to their forefathers the prophets.

240	Rejoice and leap for joy: The reaction when expelled.

LK6:24 But, woe to you who are rich, 241 for you are receiving your full consolation now.

241

Woe to you who are rich: No woes were pronounced in the Mountain Sermon. Of all the gospel writers Luke covers the subject of the rich and related matters more than any other. As Jesus will later predict based on Daniel’s prophecies, Jerusalem will be destroyed and the land of Judea desolated by the Roman armies. All wealth and property will be lost. Research the word rich in Luke. Compare notes on Luke 12:33 and 1Timothy 6:17-19.

LK6:25 Woe to those well fed now, for you will come to hunger. Woe to those laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. LK6:26 Woe when everyone speaks well of you, 242 for their forefathers spoke well of false prophets. 243

242

Woe when everyone speaks well of you: Or, RIE: applaud; BAS: give you their approval; PME: says nice things. One of the greatest dangers to the man of God is the desire to please everyone. [Compare notes on 2 Timothy 4:2.] Though nothing in the disciple’s life may be faulted he or she cannot compromise the truth of the Nazarene’s teachings.

243	Spoke well of false prophets: One identifying feature of a false prophet – he attempts to curry favor with everyone.

Luke 6:27-36 – How to Love Your Enemies

|| Matthew 5:39-46 244

244

Matthew 5:39-46: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew. Here is perhaps one of the most powerful statements in all of the Nazarene’s teachings. In every feature of this portion the Church as a whole has failed miserably. Indeed, entering the 3rd millennium of Christianity there are few disciples of Jesus on earth who read and do the following words.

LK6:27 “Now I tell all of you listening to me – continue to show loving concern for your enemies. 245 Continue to do good 246 to those who keep hating you.

245

Continue to show loving concern for your enemies: The Greek construct is of an action that continues. Luke puts the Greek AGAPATE in the Nazarene’s mouth. For details on AGAPE see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. An “enemy” may be one who is just indifferent or loves less than another.

246	Continue to do good: Love and doing good are not the same thing.

LK6:28 Continue to bless 247 those who keep cursing you. Continue to pray for those who keep insulting you. 248

247	Continue to bless: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Romans 12:14.

248	Keep insulting you: Or, spiteful, abuse, insult.

LK6:29 Offer your other cheek 249 to the one slapping you on the cheek. When someone takes your outer garment 250 do not hold back even an under garment.

249	Offer your other cheek: Reading the related phrases, the disciple of the Nazarene is to never react out of revenge or getting even. Compare Romans 12:17.

250	When someone takes your outer garment: The disciple of Jesus is not to resist authority or to seek redress for theft or extortion.

LK6:30 Continue to give 251 to everyone who keeps asking you, and do not ask the person who takes your possessions to return them. 252

251	Continue to give: Jesus never qualifies these statements. It is true some will take advantage of the Christian because of this, but such will answer to the Judge. The whole spirit of the Lord’s teachings is one free of greed and revenge.

252	To return them: Or, NAS: whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back; RIE: demand no restitution.

LK6:31 Now just as you want people to do to you, 253 you continue to do the same.

253

Now just as you want people to do to you: Many religions have a so-called Golden Rule, but these are generally negative – Do NOT do unto others… Christ’s rule is positive: DO. It is praiseworthy to reason: Now I know what causes me harm. So do not do this to others. But The Godly virtue says: I know what I would want in my case, so go and do that for the other person.

LK6:32 And if you only continue to love those who love you 254 – what charity is there to that? 255

254	Love those who love you: Such is required by just human decency and good manners. Compare Paul’s opinion of those who do not. [1 Timothy 5:8] A person’s manners and charity cannot be determined by conduct among friends.

255	What charity is there to that: Or, thank, credit, grace, merit. The Greek is CHARIS from which the English “charity” is drawn. Charity is an undeserved favor or kindness. Friends and family automatically deserve such favor or charity.

LK6:33 And if you only continue to do good to those who keep doing good to you – what kind of charity is that? Even sinners do the very same thing! LK6:34 And if you ever lend [money] hoping to receive it back 256 – what kind of charity is that? Even sinners keep lending [money] expecting an equal amount in return!

256

Lend [money] hoping to receive it back: After love of enemies this is the most bone-jarring command Jesus makes. Few Christians have ever been able to obey it and as a whole the Church has failed. During the so-called Dark Ages the Church put the burden of usury on the Jews who then became the most important bankers in Europe. The Law of Moses forbid loans with interest to fellow Israelites, but permitted usury in dealings with non-Jews. Jesus prohibits it completely.

LK6:35 Instead, all of you continue to show loving concern for your enemies. 257 And continue doing good – continue lending [money] without expecting anything to be paid back. If you do your reward will be considerable, for you will become the Most High’s offspring, 258 because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 259

257

Show loving concern for your enemies: Jesus characterizes this love by three things: prayer, doing good, and financial gifts. If this is how enemies are to be treated what does the Master expect of treatment to fellow disciples. [Compare Galatians 6:10] The opposite would prohibit a Christian from bloodshed.

258	You will become the Most High’s offspring: Or, sons, children. Based on what has been said before, only those who would listen and obey Jesus’ teachings on these matters could ever be considered God’s children.

259	He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked: Or, unthankful and evil, wicked and cruel. The disciple of Christ, in order to imitate God, cannot make judgments of people whether charity will be shown or not.

LK6:36 Continue to be charitable just as your Father is charitable. 260

260	Charitable: Or, merciful, compassionate, full of pity. The English word “mercy” is drawn from the idea of giving or charity. The idea is to have mercy or pity for anyone in need no matter who they are.

Luke 6:37-45 – Stop Being Judgmental

|| Matthew 7:1, 2, 16-18; 10:24, 25; 12:33-35; 261 Mark 4:24 262

261	Matthew 7:1, 2, 16-18; 10:24, 25; 12:33-35: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

262	Mark 4:24: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Mark.

LK6:37 “Also, stop being judgmental 263 and you will never be convicted. 264 Stop condemning others and you will never be condemned. Continue to forgive 265 and you will be forgiven.

263

Stop being judgmental: Or, KJV: judge not; NAS: do not pass judgment; WMS: stop criticizing others. There are some matters within the congregation that must be judged for the protection of all. [Matthew 18:15-17] Jesus does not have that in mind. He means a generally critical attitude toward others. Religion by its very nature creates self-righteous judgment in many. The “genuine disciple” of the Nazarene must control self-centered opinions and develop a charitable and forgiving nature. [John 8:31 NCMM]

264

You will never be convicted: Or, condemned. The person who is known to be non-judgmental and seldom critical in opinions is given much more latitude than the self-important and arrogant judge of everyone. Such a non-judgmental person will likely fair better in the final judgment of God. Compare notes on Matthew 12:35-37.

265	Continue to forgive: Or, pardon, release, acquit, make allowances. Compare Matthew 6:14, 15 and Colossians 3:13.

LK6:38 Continue to give and it will be given to you in a large measure 266 – pressed down, shaken, and overflowing - it will be put into your lap. Because you will be measured by your own standards for others.” 267

266	It will be given to you in a large measure: Surely Jesus has in mind the great Giver, but it is also a truth that a person who is known by others to be giving and self-sacrificing will often see a return in the charity and kindness of others.

267

You will be measured by your own standards for others: The universal principle of judgment. It is interesting that persons who are often hard and demanding on others are the easiest on themselves. Such self-righteous and opinionated persons who have judgments on every matter and every person will find their own standard of measurement used against them in the final judgment. This principle is seen in some of Jesus’ parables. [Matthew 18:23-35]

LK6:39 Then Jesus also told them this parable: “Surely a blind person cannot guide another blind person? Will not both stumble into a pit? LK6:40 A disciple is never above his teacher. 268 Even if perfectly taught he will only become like his teacher.

268	A disciple is never above his teacher: Or, RIE: Pupils are no better than their teacher.

LK6:41 So why do you look for the speck in your brother’s eye but never notice the log in your own eye? LK6:42 How can you say to your brother: ‘Let me help you remove that speck in your eye,’ when you do not look upon the log in your own eye? Hypocrite, first remove that log from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. LK6:43 For no good tree produces bad fruitage. Nor does a bad tree produce good fruitage. LK6:44 Every tree is known by its fruitage. Does anyone ever gather figs from thorn-bushes? Or, grapes from thorn-bushes? LK6:45 The good person produces good out of the treasure of a good heart, 269 and the evil person produces evil from evil. Because from the heart’s abundance the mouth speaks. 270

269	Good person produces good out of the treasure of a good heart: Thus, it is always easy to tell the “good” person.

270	Because from the heart’s abundance the mouth speaks: Compare notes on Matthew 12:35-37. One can always tell of what stuff another is made by the words out of the mouth. Jesus taught that every disciple will be judged by the words that come out of the mouth.

Luke 6:46-49 – Hearers and Doers

|| Matthew 7:21, 24-27 271

271	Matthew 7:21, 24-27: For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew.

LK6:46 “Now, why do you call me ‘Master, Master’ 272 and then do not do what I say to you? 273

272	Why do you call me ‘Master, Master’: Or, Lord, Lord’. Those who claim Christ as Lord must also obey what he teaches. [Matthew 7:21-23] Anyone who calls Jesus ‘Lord’ but does not walk according to his teachings is not a genuine disciple. [John 8:31 NCMM]

273	Then do not do what I say to you: Those who claim to love Jesus as his friend must obey his commandments. [John 14:15; 15:14]

LK6:47 Everyone coming to me and hearing my words – and then doing them 274 – I will show you to whom they may be compared.

274

Coming to me and hearing my words – and then doing them: There are three things here: a] an approach to Jesus; b] hearing his words, which means a thorough reading of the Gospels; and, c] obedience to those teachings. Often John 3:16 is read but John 3:36 is overlooked. To benefit from God’s love one must obey the Son. Salvation comes only to those who obey the Son. [Hebrews 5:9]

LK6:48 They may be compared to the person building a house who dug and went down deep 275 to lay a foundation on solid rock. Now a flood came and the river rushed against that house but it was not strong enough to shake the house because it was well built.

275	Who dug and went down deep: A mere surface reading – a mere surface knowledge – of the Nazarene’s teachings will not do. There is almost an echo of Proverbs 2:1-5.

LK6:49 However, the one who heard and did not perform is like a person who built a house upon earth without a foundation. 276 The flooding river rushed against it 277 and it instantly collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

276	Without a foundation: This is that person who comes to Christ, hears his words, but does not do them. [Compare the parable of Mark 4:14-20.]

277	Flooding river rushed against it: Likely the time during the parousia-judgment. For details see notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000 on Matthew 25:31-46; 1 Corinthians 4:5; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28.

Review Questions On Chapter Six