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Luke Chapter Six

 

Luke 6

The circumstances related in chapter 6:1-10 have reference to the same truth and in an important aspect. The sabbath was the sign of the covenant between Israel and God-rest after finished works. The Pharisees blame the disciples of Christ because they rub out the ears of corn in their hands. Now a rejected David had overleapt the barrier of the law when his need required it. For when God's Anointed was rejected and cast out everything became in a manner common. The Son of man (Son of David rejected like the son of Jesse the elect and anointed king) was Lord of the sabbath; God who established this ordinance was above the ordinances He had established and present in grace the obligation of man yielded to the sovereignty of God; and the Son of man was there with the rights and the power of God. Marvellous fact! Moreover the power of God present in grace did not allow misery to exist because it was the day of grace. But this was setting aside Judaism. That was the obligation of man to God Christ was the manifestation of God in grace to men. [1]

Availing Himself of the rights of supreme goodness and displaying a power that authorised His pretension to assert those rights He heals in a full synagogue the man with the withered hand. They are filled with madness at this manifestation of power which overflows and carries away the dykes of their pride and self-righteousness. We may observe that all these circumstances are gathered together with an order and mutual connection that are perfect. [2] The Lord had shewn that this grace-which had visited Israel according to all that could be expected from the Lord Almighty faithful to His promises-could nevertheless not be confined to the narrow limits of that people nor be adapted to the ordinances of the law; that men desiredthe old things but that the power of God acted according to its own nature. He had shewn that the most sacred the most obligatory sign of the old covenant must bow to His title superior to all ordinance and give place to the rights of His divine love which was in action. But the old thing was thus judged and passing away. He had shewn Himself in everything-in the calling of Peter especially-to be the new centre around which all that sought God and blessing must gather; for He was the living manifestation of God and of blessing in men. Thus God was manifested the old order of things was worn out and unable to contain this grace and the remnant were separated-around the Lord-from a world that saw no beauty in Him that they should desire Him. He now acted on this basis; and if faith sought Him in Israel this power of grace manifested God in a new way. God surrounds Himself with men as the centre of blessing in Christ as man. But He is love and in the activity of that love He seeks the lost. None but one and one who was God and revealed Him could surround Himself with His followers. No prophet ever did (see John 1). None could send out with the authority and power of a divine message but God. Christ had been sent; He now sends. The name of "apostle" (sent) for He so names them contains this deep and marvellous truth-God is acting in grace. He surrounds Himself with blessed ones. He seeks miserable sinners. If Christ the we centre of grace and happiness surrounds Himself with followers yet He sends also His chosen ones to bear testimony of the love which He came to manifest. God has manifested Himself in man. In man He seeks sinners. Man has part in the most immediate display of the divine nature in both ways. He is with Christ as man; and he is sent by Christ. Christ Himself does this as man. It is man full of the Holy Ghost. Thus we see Him again manifested in dependence on His Father before choosing the apostles; He retired to pray He passes the night in prayer.

And now He goes beyond the manifestation of Himself as personally full of the Holy Ghost to bring in the knowledge of God among men. He becomes the centre around which all must come who sought God and a source of mission for the accomplishment of His love-the centre of the manifestation of divine power in grace. And therefore He called around Him the remnant who should be saved. His position in every respect is summed up in that which is said after He came down from the mountain. He comes down with the apostles from His communion with God. In the plain [3] He is surrounded by the company of His disciples and then by a great multitude drawn together by His word and works. There was the attraction of the word of God and He healed the diseases of men and cast out the power of Satan. This power dwelt in His Person; the virtue that went out of Him gave these outward testimonies to the power of God present in grace. The attention of the people was drawn to Him by these means. Nevertheless we have seen that the old things to which the multitude were attached were passing away He surrounded Himself with hearts faithful to God the called of His grace. Here therefore He does not as in Matthew announce strictly the character of the kingdom to shew that of the dispensation which was at hand saying "Blessed are the poor in spirit etc.; but distinguishing the remnant by their attachment to Himself He declares to the disciples who followed Him that they were these blessed ones. They were poor and despised but they were blessed. They should have the kingdom. This is important because it separates the remnant and puts them in relationship with Himself to receive the blessing. He describes in a remarkable manner the character of those who were thus blessed of God.

The Lord's discourse is divided into several branches.

Verses 20-26 The contrast between the remnant manifested as His disciples and the multitude who were satisfied with the world adding a warning to those who stood in the place of disciples and in that gained the favour of the world. Woe be to such! Remark also here that it is not a question of persecution for righteousness' sake as in Matthew but only for His name's sake. All was marked by attachment to His Person.

Verses 27-36. The character of God their Father in the manifestation of grace in Christ which they were to imitate. He reveals note the Father's name and puts them in the place of children.

Verses 37 38. This character particularly developed in the position of Christ as He was on earth at that time Christ fulfilling His service on earth. This implied government and recompense on God's part as was the case with regard to Christ Himself.

Verse 39. The condition of the leaders in Israel and the connection between them and the multitude.

Verse 40. That of the disciples in relation to Christ.

Verses 41 42. The way to attain it and to see clearly in the midst of evil is to put evil away from oneself.

Afterwards in general its own fruit characterised every tree. Coming around Christ to hear Him was not the question but that He should be so precious to their hearts that they would put aside every obstacle and practically obey Him.

Let us sum up these things which we have been considering. He acts in a power which dispels evil because He finds it there and He is good; and God alone is good. He reaches the conscience and calls souls to Himself. He acts in connection with the hope of Israel and the power of God to cleanse pardon and give them strength. But it is a grace which we all need; and the goodness of God the energy of His love did not confine itself to that people. Its exercise did not agree with the forms on which the Jews lived (or rather could not live); and the new wine must be put into new bottles. The question of the sabbath settled the question of the introduction of this power; the sign of the covenant gave way to it: He who exercised it was Lord of the sabbath. The lovingkindness of the God of the sabbath was not stayed as if having His hands tied by that which He had established in connection with the covenant. Jesus then assembles the vessels of His grace and power according to the will of God around Himself. They were the blessed ones the heirs of the kingdom. The Lord describes their character. It was not the indifference and pride that arose from ignorance of God justly alienated from Israel who had sinned against Him and despised the glorious manifestation of His grace in Christ. They share the distress and pain which such a condition of God's people must cause in those who had the mind of God. Hated proscribed put to shame for the sake of the Son of man who had come to bear their sorrows it was their glory. They should share His glory when the nature of God was glorified in doing all things according to His own will. They would not be put to shame in heaven; they should have their reward there not in Israel. "In like manner had their fathers done unto the prophets." Woe unto those that were at ease in Zion during the sinful condition of Israel and their rejection and ill-treatment of their Messiah! It is the contrast between the character of the true remnant and that of the proud among the people.

We then find the conduct that is suitable to the former conduct which to express it in one word comprises in its essential elements the character of God in grace as manifested in Jesus on the earth. But Jesus had His own character of service as the Son of man; the application of this to their particular circumstances is added in verses 37 38. In 39 the leaders of Israel are set before us and in verse 40 the portion of the disciples. Rejected like Himself they should have His portion; but assuming that they followed Him perfectly they should have it in blessing in grace in character in position also. What a favour! [4] Moreover the judgment of self and not of one's brother was the means of attaining clear moral sight. The tree good the fruit would be good. Self-judgment applies to the trees. This is always true. In self-judgment it is not only the fruit that is corrected; it is oneself. And the tree is known by its fruit-not only by good fruit but by its own. The Christian bears the fruit of the nature of Christ. Also it is the heart itself and real practical obedience that are in question.

Here then the great principles of the new life in its full practical development in Christ are set before us. It is the new thing morally the savour and character of the new wine-the remnant made like unto Christ whom they followed unto Christ the new centre of the movement of the Spirit of God and of the calling of His grace. Christ has come out of the walled court of Judaism in the power of a new life and by the authority of the Most High who had brought blessing into this enclosure which it was unable to acknowledge. He had come out from it according to the principles of the life itself which He announced; historically He was still in it.

Footnotes

[1] This is an important point. A part in the rest of God is the distinctive privilege of saints-of God's people. Man had it not at the fall still God's rest remained the special portion of His people. He did not get it under the law. But every distinct institution under the law is accompanied by an enforcement of the sabbath the formal expression of the rest of the first Adam and this Israel will enjoy at the end of this world's history. Till then as the Lord said so blessedly My Father worketh hitherto and I work. For us the day of rest is not the seventh day the end of this world's week; but the first day the day after the sabbath the beginning of a new week a new creation the day of Christ's resurrection the commencement of a new state for man for the accomplishment of which all creation round us waits only we are before God in Spirit as Christ is. Hence the Sabbath the seventh day the rest of the first creation on human and legal ground is always treated with rejection in the New Testament though not set aside till judgment came but as an ordinance it died with Christ in the grave where He passed it-only it was made for man as a mercy. The Lord's day is our day and precious external earnest of the heavenly rest.

[2] I may remark here that where chronological order is followed in Luke it is the same as in Mark and that of the events not as in Matthew put together to bring out the object of the Gospel; only he occasionally introduces a circumstance which may have happened at another time illustrative of the subject historically related. But in chapter 9 Luke arrives at the last journey up to Jerusalem (v. 51) and from this on a series of moral instruction follows to chapter 18:31 chiefly if not all during the period of this journey but which for the most part has little to say to dates.

[3] Properly 'a level place' on the mountain. (topou pedinou)

[4] This however does not speak of nature intrinsically for in Christ was no sin. Nor has the word used for "perfect" that sense. It is one completely thoroughly instructed formed completely by the teaching of his master He will be like him as his master in all in which he was formed by him. Christ was the perfection; we grow up unto Him in all things unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (see Col. 1:28).

── John DarbySynopsis of Luke

 

Luke 6

Chapter Contents

The disciples pluck corn on the sabbath. (1-5) Works of mercy suitable to the sabbath day. (6-11) The apostles chosen. (12-19) Blessings and woes declared. (20-26) Christ exhorts to mercy. (27-36) And to justice and sincerity. (37-49)

Commentary on Luke 6:1-5

(Read Luke 6:1-5)

Christ justifies his disciples in a work of necessity for themselves on the sabbath day and that was plucking the ears of corn when they were hungry. But we must take heed that we mistake not this liberty for leave to commit sin. Christ will have us to know and remember that it is his day therefore to be spent in his service and to his honour.

Commentary on Luke 6:6-11

(Read Luke 6:6-11)

Christ was neither ashamed nor afraid to own the purposes of his grace. He healed the poor man though he knew that his enemies would take advantage against him for it. Let us not be drawn either from our duty or from our usefulness by any opposition. We may well be amazed that the sons of men should be so wicked.

Commentary on Luke 6:12-19

(Read Luke 6:12-19)

We often think one half hour a great deal to spend in meditation and secret prayer but Christ was whole nights engaged in these duties. In serving God our great care should be not to lose time but to make the end of one good duty the beginning of another. The twelve apostles are here named; never were men so privileged yet one of them had a devil and proved a traitor. Those who have not faithful preaching near them had better travel far than be without it. It is indeed worth while to go a great way to hear the word of Christ and to go out of the way of other business for it. They came to be cured by him and he healed them. There is a fulness of grace in Christ and healing virtue in him ready to go out from him that is enough for all enough for each. Men regard the diseases of the body as greater evils than those of their souls; but the Scripture teaches us differently.

Commentary on Luke 6:20-26

(Read Luke 6:20-26)

Here begins a discourse of Christ most of which is also found in Matthew 5. But some think that this was preached at another time and place. All believers that take the precepts of the gospel to themselves and live by them may take the promises of the gospel to themselves and live upon them. Woes are denounced against prosperous sinners as miserable people though the world envies them. Those are blessed indeed whom Christ blesses but those must be dreadfully miserable who fall under his woe and curse! What a vast advantage will the saint have over the sinner in the other world! and what a wide difference will there be in their rewards how much soever the sinner may prosper and the saint be afflicted here!

Commentary on Luke 6:27-36

(Read Luke 6:27-36)

These are hard lessons to flesh and blood. But if we are thoroughly grounded in the faith of Christ's love this will make his commands easy to us. Every one that comes to him for washing in his blood and knows the greatness of the mercy and the love there is in him can say in truth and sincerity Lord what wilt thou have me to do? Let us then aim to be merciful even according to the mercy of our heavenly Father to us.

Commentary on Luke 6:37-49

(Read Luke 6:37-49)

All these sayings Christ often used; it was easy to apply them. We ought to be very careful when we blame others; for we need allowance ourselves. If we are of a giving and a forgiving spirit we shall ourselves reap the benefit. Though full and exact returns are made in another world not in this world yet Providence does what should encourage us in doing good. Those who follow the multitude to do evil follow in the broad way that leads to destruction. The tree is known by its fruits; may the word of Christ be so grafted in our hearts that we may be fruitful in every good word and work. And what the mouth commonly speaks generally agrees with what is most in the heart. Those only make sure work for their souls and eternity and take the course that will profit in a trying time who think speak and act according to the words of Christ. Those who take pains in religion found their hope upon Christ who is the Rock of Ages and other foundation can no man lay. In death and judgment they are safe being kept by the power of Christ through faith unto salvation and they shall never perish.

── Matthew HenryConcise Commentary on Luke

 

Luke 6

Verse 2

[2] And certain of the Pharisees said unto them Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?

Why do ye — St. Matthew and Mark represent the Pharisees as proposing the question to our Lord himself. It was afterward probably they proposed it to his disciples.

Verse 4

[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?

1 Samuel 21:6.

Verse 6

[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.

Matthew 12:9; Mark 3:1.

Verse 9

[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?

To save life or to kill — He just then probably saw the design to kill him rising in their hearts.

Verse 12

[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.

In the prayer of God — The phrase is singular and emphatical to imply an extraordinary and sublime devotion. Mark 3:13.

Verse 13

[13] And when it was day he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve whom also he named apostles;

Matthew 10:2; Mark 3:14; Acts 1:13.

Verse 15

[15] Matthew and Thomas James the son of Alphaeus and Simon called Zelotes

Simon called Zelotes — Full of zeal; otherwise called Simon the Canaanite.

Verse 17

[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 Judaea and Jerusalem and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon which came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;

On a plain — At the foot of the mountain.

Verse 20

[20] And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

In the following verses our Lord in the audience of his newly-chosen disciples and of the multitude repeats standing on the plain many remarkable passages of the sermon he had before delivered sitting on the mount. He here again pronounces the poor and the hungry the mourners and the persecuted happy; and represents as miserable those who are rich and full and joyous and applauded: because generally prosperity is a sweet poison and affliction a healing though bitter medicine. Let the thought reconcile us to adversity and awaken our caution when the world smiles upon us; when a plentiful table is spread before us and our cup is running over; when our spirits are gay; and we hear (what nature loves) our own praise from men.

Happy are ye poor — The word seems here to be taken literally: ye who have left al] for me. Matthew 5:3.

Verse 24

[24] But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.

Miserable are ye rich - If ye have received or sought your consolation or happiness therein.

Verse 25

[25] Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

Full — Of meat and drink and worldly goods.

That laugh — That are of a light trifling spirit.

Verse 26

[26] Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Wo to you when all men shall speak well of you — But who will believe this?

Verse 27

[27] But I say unto you which hear Love your enemies do good to them which hate you

But I say to you that hear — Hitherto our Lord had spoken only to particular sorts of persons: now he begins speaking to all in general. Matthew 5:44.

Verse 29

[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.

To him that smiteth thee on the cheek — Taketh away thy cloak - These seem to be proverbial expressions to signify an invasion of the tenderest points of honour and property.

Offer the other — Forbid not thy coat - That is rather yield to his repeating the affront or injury than gratify resentment in righting your self; in any method not becoming Christian love. Matthew 5:39.

Verse 30

[30] Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

Give to every one — Friend or enemy what thou canst spare and he really wants: and of him that taketh away thy goods - By borrowing if he be insolvent ask them not again. Matthew 5:42.

Verse 31

[31] And as ye would that men should do to you do ye also to them likewise.

Matthew 7:12.

Verse 32

[32] For if ye love them which love you what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

It is greatly observable our Lord has so little regard for one of the highest instances of natural virtue namely the returning love for love that he does not account it even to deserve thanks. For even sinners saith he do the same: men who do not regard God at all. Therefore he may do this who has not taken one step in Christianity.

Verse 37

[37] Judge not and ye shall not be judged: condemn not and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven:

Matthew 7:1.

Verse 38

[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.

Into your bosom — Alluding to the mantles the Jews wore into which a large quantity of corn might be received.

With the same measure that ye mete with it shall be measured to you again — Amazing goodness! So we are permitted even to carve for ourselves! We ourselves are as it were to tell God how much mercy he shall show us! And can we be content with less than the very largest measure? Give then to man what thou designest to receive of God.

Verse 39

[39] And he spake a parable unto them Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

He spake a parable — Our Lord sometimes used parables when he knew plain and open declarations would too much inflame the passions of his hearers. It is for this reason he uses this parable Can the blind lead the blind? - Can the scribes teach this way which they know not themselves? Will not they and their scholars perish together? Can they make their disciples any better than themselves? But as for those who will be my disciples they shall be all taught of God; who will enable them to come to the measure of the stature of the fulness of their Master. Be not ye like their disciples censuring others and not amending yourselves. Matthew 15:14.

Verse 40

[40] The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Matthew 10:24; John 15:20.

Verse 41

[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?

Matthew 7:3.

Verse 46

[46] And why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things which I say?

And why call ye me Lord Lord — What will fair professions avail without a life answerable thereto? Matthew 7:21.

Verse 47

[47] Whosoever cometh to me and heareth my sayings and doeth them I will shew you to whom he is like:

Matthew 7:24.

── John ‘WesleyExplanatory Notes on Luke

 

Chapter 6. Principles of Work

Do Good or Do Evil
Save Life or Destroy Life

I. The Meaning of Sabbath

  1. Satisfy Men
  2. Teach in the Synagogue
  3. Recover a Withered Hand

II. Choose Twelve Disciples

  1. Pray All Night
  2. Peter the First
  3. Judas the Traitor

III. The Way of Treating People

  1. Four Blessings and Four Woes
  2. Give and It Will Be Given
  3. Deal with the Treasure of Heart
── Chih-Hsin ChangAn Outline of The New Testament