Blessings and Woes

20 And turning his eyes to his disciples he said, Happy are you who are poor: for the kingdom of God is yours. 21 Happy are you who are in need of food now: for you will be made full. Happy are you who are weeping now; for you will be glad. 22 Happy are you, when men have hate for you, and put you away from among them and say angry words to you, turning away in disgust at your name, because of the Son of man. 23 Be glad in that day, and be lifted up for joy, for your reward in heaven will be great: for their fathers did these same things to the prophets. 24 But unhappy are you who have wealth: for you have been comforted now. 25 Unhappy are you who are full of food now: for you will be in need. Unhappy are you who are laughing now: for you will be crying in sorrow. 26 Unhappy are you when all men give you their approval: for so their fathers did to the false prophets.

Love for Enemies

27 But I say to you who give ear to me, Have love for those who are against you, do good to those who have hate for you, 28 Give blessing to those who give you curses, say prayers for those who are cruel to you. 29 If a man gives you a blow on one side of your face, then let the other side be turned to him; from him who takes away your coat, do not keep back your robe. 30 Give to everyone who comes with a request, and if a man takes away your property, make no attempt to get it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 32 If you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? for even sinners have love for those who have love for them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is it to you? for even sinners do the same. 34 And if you let those have the use of your money, from whom you are hoping to get it back, what credit is it to you? even sinners do so to sinners, hoping to get back as much as they gave. 35 But be loving to those who are against you and do them good, and give them your money, not giving up hope, and your reward will be great and you will be the sons of the Most High: for he is kind to evil men, and to those who have hard hearts.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 6:20-35

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.