Morning Bible Study: Luke 6:20-26

The Beatitudes

20 Then looking up at his disciples, he said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,

because the kingdom of God is yours.

21 Blessed are you who are hungry now,

because you will be filled.

Blessed are you who weep now,

because you will laugh.

22 Blessed are you when people hate you,

when they exclude you, insult you,

and slander your name as evil

because of the Son of Man.

23 “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy. Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.

Woe to the Self-Satisfied

24 But woe to you who are rich,

for you have received your comfort.

25 Woe to you who are now full,

for you will be hungry.

Woe to you who are now laughing,

for you will mourn and weep.

26 Woe to you

when all people speak well of you,

for this is the way their ancestors

used to treat the false prophets."

Commentary

(the following is from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary, 1706 -- www.christianity.com)

"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!"