The Sermon on the Plain: Blessings and Woes
Luke 6:17-26
Luke.6.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- καταβας: PART,aor,act,nom,sg,m
- μετ᾽αυτων: PREP+PRON,gen,pl,3
- εστη: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- επι: PREP
- τοπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- πεδινου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- πολυς: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- μαθητων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- πληθος: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- πολυ: ADV
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- λαου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- πασης: ADJ,gen,sg,f
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- Ιουδαιας: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Ιερουσαλημ: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- παραλιου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- Τυρου: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- Σιδωνος: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Mark 3:7-8 (verbal): Very close verbal parallel: Mark likewise describes great crowds coming from Judea, Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon to follow Jesus, echoing Luke's geographic list and large multitudes.
- Matthew 5:1 (structural): Both verses introduce Jesus taking a position to teach a large crowd and lead into a major teaching (Matthew's 'Sermon on the Mount' vs Luke's 'Sermon on the Plain'); similar narrative function despite mount/plain difference.
- Matthew 4:25 (verbal): Matthew lists widespread regions (Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, beyond Jordan) drawn to Jesus, paralleling Luke's emphasis on people coming from various regions to hear him.
- Luke 5:1-3 (thematic): Earlier Luke scene where Jesus teaches from a boat to the pressing crowd on the shore—similar setting motif of Jesus positioned to address large multitudes who have gathered.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a great multitude of his disciples and a great crowd of people from all Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon,
- And he came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a great company of his disciples and a great crowd of people from all Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon.
Luke.6.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ηλθον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- ακουσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ιαθηναι: VERB,aor,pass,inf
- απο: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- νοσων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- αυτων·και: PRON,gen,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ενοχλουμενοι: VERB,part,pres,mp,nom,pl,m
- απο: PREP
- πνευματων: NOUN,gen,pl,neut
- ακαθαρτων: ADJ,gen,pl,neut
- εθεραπευοντο·: VERB,impf,mp,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Luke 5:15 (verbal): Very close Lucan parallel—people came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; repeats the same motif and phrasing within Luke's narrative.
- Mark 1:34 (verbal): Mark reports Jesus 'healed many who were ill with various diseases and cast out many demons,' mirroring the healing and exorcism language of Luke 6:18.
- Matthew 4:24 (verbal): Matthew summarizes that people brought to Jesus all who were ill and demon-possessed were healed—similar wording and emphasis on cures and deliverance.
- Acts 10:38 (thematic): Peter's sermon describes Jesus as 'healing all who were oppressed by the devil,' a theological summary that echoes Luke's portrayal of healing those troubled by unclean spirits.
Alternative generated candidates
- who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by unclean spirits were being healed.
- They came to him to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled by unclean spirits were healed.
Luke.6.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- πας: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- οχλος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εζητουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- απτεσθαι: VERB,pres,mid/pas,inf
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- δυναμις: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- παρ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- εξηρχετο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- ιατο: VERB,impf,mid,ind,3,sg
- παντας: ADJ,acc,pl,m
Parallels
- Mark 3:10 (verbal): Crowds press about Jesus seeking to touch him because he healed many—language and situation closely parallel Luke 6:19.
- Matthew 12:15 (verbal): Many follow Jesus and he heals them all—closely parallels Luke’s report that the crowd sought to touch him and were healed.
- Mark 6:56 (verbal): People begged to touch the fringe of his garment and all who touched were healed—similar motif of touching Jesus resulting in healing.
- Luke 8:46 (verbal): Jesus perceives that power (dunamis) went out from him when a woman touched him—the same phrase/idea of power going out found in Luke 6:19.
- Acts 5:15-16 (thematic): People bring the sick so that Peter’s presence/shadow might heal them—the motif of a holy person’s power going out to heal crowds echoes Luke 6:19.
Alternative generated candidates
- And all the multitude sought to touch him, for power went out from him and healed them all.
- And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power went out from him and healed them all.
Luke.6.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- αυτος: PRON,nom,sg,3,m
- επαρας: VERB,aor,act,ptc,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- οφθαλμους: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- μαθητας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- ελεγεν·Μακαριοι: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πτωχοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- υμετερα: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- εστιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- βασιλεια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- θεου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 5:3 (verbal): Direct Beatitude parallel—'Blessed are the poor (in spirit), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven' closely matches Luke's 'Blessed are the poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.'
- James 2:5 (thematic): Echoes the theme that God chooses the poor to be heirs of the kingdom: 'Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom?'
- Luke 6:24–26 (structural): Immediate literary counterpart within Luke: the series of 'woes' that contrast the Beatitudes, underscoring the reversal of fortunes between the poor and the rich.
- Luke 1:52–53 (thematic): The Magnificat's language of reversal—'he has brought down the mighty... he has filled the hungry with good things'—parallels Luke 6:20's emphasis on God uplifting the lowly/poor.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
- And lifting up his eyes on his disciples he said, Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Luke.6.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- μακαριοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πεινωντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- νυν: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- χορτασθησεσθε: VERB,fut,pass,ind,2,pl
- μακαριοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- κλαιοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,m
- νυν: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- γελασετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 5:4 (verbal): Beatitude language parallels: 'Blessed are those who mourn' echoes Luke's 'blessed are you who weep,' linking present mourning to future consolation.
- Matthew 5:6 (verbal): Matthew's 'Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness' echoes Luke's 'you who are hungry... you will be filled,' sharing the motif of present hunger and future satisfaction.
- Isaiah 61:2-3 (allusion): Prophetic theme of consolation and reversal—comfort for mourners and a turning of shame into joy—provides background to Luke's promise that weeping will become laughter.
- Psalm 126:5 (thematic): 'Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy' parallels the movement from weeping to rejoicing in Luke's beatitude.
- Luke 1:52-53 (thematic): Mary's Magnificat describes divine reversal—filling the hungry and sending the rich away empty—echoing Luke 6:21's promise of future filling and the overturning of present suffering.
Alternative generated candidates
- Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."
- Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
Luke.6.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Μακαριοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- εστε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- οταν: CONJ
- μισησωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οταν: CONJ
- αφορισωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- και: CONJ
- ονειδισωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- και: CONJ
- εκβαλωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- ονομα: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- ως: ADV
- πονηρον: ADJ,acc,sg,n
- ενεκα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- υιου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου·: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 5:11 (verbal): A near-verbal parallel Beatitude: 'Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you... for my sake'—same promise of blessing amid insult for the Messiah's sake.
- Mark 13:13 (verbal): Foretells that 'you will be hated by all for my name's sake,' echoing Luke's note that people will reject the disciples because of the Son of Man.
- John 15:18-20 (thematic): Develops the theme that the world hates Jesus' followers because it hated him first—explaining the reason for rejection given in Luke (on account of the Son of Man).
- Acts 5:41 (thematic): After suffering for Jesus' name the apostles 'rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name,' paralleling the attitude toward persecution implied by Luke's blessing on the reproached.
- 1 Peter 4:12-16 (allusion): Instructs believers not to be surprised by suffering for Christ's name and not to be ashamed—an exhortation that echoes Luke's beatitude regarding insult and rejection on account of the Son of Man.
Alternative generated candidates
- "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.
- Blessed are you when men hate you and exclude you and revile you and cast out your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.
Luke.6.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- χαρητε: VERB,pres,act,imp,2,pl
- εν: PREP
- εκεινη: PRON,dat,sg,f
- τη: ART,dat,sg,f
- ημερα: NOUN,dat,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- σκιρτησατε: VERB,aor,act,imp,2,pl
- ιδου: PART
- γαρ: PART
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- μισθος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
- πολυς: ADJ,nom,sg,m
- εν: PREP
- τω: ART,dat,sg,m
- ουρανω·κατα: NOUN,dat,sg,m
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- γαρ: PART
- εποιουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- προφηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πατερες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 5:11-12 (quotation): Parallel Beatitude: call to rejoice when persecuted, with the same promise of a great reward in heaven and reference to the prophets being mistreated by their fathers.
- Luke 10:20 (verbal): Another Lucan saying that exhorts gladness based on a heavenly reality ('rejoice that your names are written in heaven'), echoing Luke 6:23's reason for joy tied to heavenly reward.
- Acts 5:41 (thematic): The apostles 'rejoiced' after suffering and persecution for Jesus' name, reflecting Luke's theme of joy in the face of hostility because of divine vindication.
- 1 Peter 4:13 (thematic): Calls believers to rejoice insofar as they share in Christ's sufferings, anticipating future glorification—same theological link between present persecution and future reward.
- Hebrews 11:36-38 (allusion): Lists prophets and righteous figures who suffered reproach, imprisonment, and persecution—resonates with Luke 6:23's note that the fathers treated the prophets similarly.
Alternative generated candidates
- Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy; for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For so their fathers used to treat the prophets.
- Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers treated the prophets.
Luke.6.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πλην: PREP
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- πλουσιοις: ADJ,dat,pl,m
- οτι: CONJ
- απεχετε: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,pl
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- παρακλησιν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- υμων: PRON,gen,pl,2
Parallels
- Luke 6:20-26 (structural): Immediate literary context: the beatitudes and corresponding woes—v.24 is one of three woes that contrast present consolation of the rich with future reversal.
- Luke 16:19-31 (thematic): Parable of the rich man and Lazarus: the rich man's present comfort and desperate fate after death illustrate the reversal implicit in 'you have received your consolation.'
- Luke 12:16-21 (thematic): Parable of the rich fool who hoards wealth and is called a fool when life is demanded of him—warns against complacent security in riches, echoing the woe to the rich.
- Matthew 19:23-24 (cf. Mark 10:23-25) (verbal): Jesus' pronouncement that it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom connects to the spiritual danger and impending judgment implied by the woe to the rich.
- James 5:1-6 (thematic): Sharp denunciation of wealthy oppressors whose riches lead to misery and judgment parallels Luke's rebuke of those who have already 'received their consolation.'
Alternative generated candidates
- But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
- But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Luke.6.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ουαι: INTJ
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- εμπεπλησμενοι: PART,perf,pass,nom,pl,m
- νυν: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- πεινασετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
- ουαι: INTJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γελωντες: PART,pres,act,nom,pl,m
- νυν: ADV
- οτι: CONJ
- πενθησετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
- και: CONJ
- κλαυσετε: VERB,fut,act,ind,2,pl
Parallels
- Luke 6:20 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same sermonic unit: the beatitude 'Blessed are you who are poor' contrasts structurally with the woes to the rich and satisfied in v.25—an inversion motif.
- Matthew 5:3–12 (thematic): Matthew's Beatitudes affirm blessings for the poor, hungry, mourners, etc.; thematically parallels Luke's reversal-of-fortunes ethic even though Matthew lacks Luke's explicit 'woes' counterpart.
- James 5:1–6 (verbal): Uses 'Come now, you rich' and calls for weeping and wailing over coming judgment; echoes Luke's woe-formula and the prediction that those who rejoice now will later mourn.
- Amos 6:1,4–6 (allusion): Prophetic 'woe' against those at ease and feasting in Zion—an indictment of complacent wealth and promised judgment that parallels Luke's condemnation of present prosperity.
- Luke 16:19–31 (thematic): The parable of the rich man and Lazarus depicts a reversal (rich tormented after death, poor comforted), illustrating the same theme that present riches/joy can be overturned by coming suffering or judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to you who are full now, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
- Woe to you who are full now, for you shall hunger. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.
Luke.6.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Ουαι: INTJ
- οταν: CONJ
- καλως: ADV
- υμας: PRON,acc,pl,2
- ειπωσιν: VERB,aor,act,subj,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- ανθρωποι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- κατα: PREP
- τα: ART,acc,pl,n
- αυτα: PRON,acc,pl,n
- γαρ: PART
- εποιουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- τοις: ART,dat,pl,n
- ψευδοπροφηταις: NOUN,dat,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πατερες: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 5:11-12 (verbal): Close verbal/paradigmatic parallel to Luke's beatitude/woe material: Matthew blesses persecuted followers and says 'for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you,' mirroring Luke's contrast between human praise and the fate of prophets.
- Luke 6:22-23 (structural): Immediate Lukan contrast within the same discourse: Luke blesses those who are hated and persecuted (6:22–23) and then pronounces woes for those whom all speak well of (6:26), setting up the beatitude/woe antithesis.
- Jeremiah 23:16-17 (allusion): Old Testament background condemning false prophets who give comforting words ('They say to those who despise me, “Peace”')—helps explain Luke's reference to 'false prophets' praised by their fathers.
- John 12:42-43 (thematic): The Johannine critique of people who confess Jesus privately but refuse public confession because they 'love the glory of men' parallels Luke's warning about the danger of seeking universal human approval.
Alternative generated candidates
- Woe to you when all people speak well of you; for so their fathers did to the false prophets."
- Woe to you when all men speak well of you; for so their fathers treated the false prophets.
And coming down with them he stood on a level place; a great crowd of his disciples and a large multitude of people from all Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon had come to him to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled by unclean spirits were being healed. And all pressed upon him to touch him, for power went out from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God."
"Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied; blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh."
"Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you and cast out your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.
Rejoice on that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their ancestors treated the prophets."
"But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are satisfied now, for you will hunger; woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep."
"Woe to you when all people speak well of you, for so they treated the false prophets."