The big picture
Luke 6 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 25 with “Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye…”, and closes in verse 49 with “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an…” Repeated or prominent terms include good, evil, love, sabbath, house. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Luke · King James Version · 49Luke 6:1-7
1–7: It came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went…
Luke 6:1–7 opens with “And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields…” and reaches “And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by sabbath, corn, lawful.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 2 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
Luke 6:1-7
King James Version1And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.
2And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?
3And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him;
4How 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?
5And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
6And 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.
7And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him.
Luke 6:8-14
8–14: He knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand…
Luke 6:8–14 opens with “But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand…” and reaches “Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by hand, days, Jesus.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst…” Naming Rise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Luke 6:8-14
King James Version8But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth.
9Then 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?
10And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
11And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus.
12And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
13And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles;
14Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew,
Luke 6:15-21
15–21: Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Luke 6:15–21 opens with “Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes,” and reaches “Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by Blessed, healed, disciples.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes,” Naming Alph and James keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.” Naming Judas and Iscariot keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Luke 6:15-21
King James Version15Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon called Zelotes,
16And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.
17And 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 Judæa and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases;
18And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed.
19And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
Luke 6:22-28
22–28: Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate…
Luke 6:22–28 opens with “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company…” and reaches “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by fathers, hate, prophets.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
“Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did…” Naming Rejoice keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Luke 6:22-28
King James Version22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.
26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Luke 6:29-35
29–35: Unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and…
Luke 6:29–35 opens with “And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away…” and reaches “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by love, sinners, good.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Luke 6:29-35
King James Version29And 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.
30Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Luke 6:36-42
36–42: Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Luke 6:36–42 opens with “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” and reaches “Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by beam, mote, beholdest.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 3 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.” Naming Father keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.
Luke 6:36-42
King James Version36Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38Give, 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.
39And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?
40The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
41And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
42Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.
Luke 6:43-49
43–49: For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt…
Luke 6:43–49 opens with “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good…” and reaches “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Luke 6 develops its own movement around good, evil, love, sabbath, house, with particular weight carried by good, house, bringeth.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
“For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Luke 6:43-49
King James Version43For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
44For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
45A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
46And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
47Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:
48He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
49But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Luke 6:1 begins with “And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat…”
Where the chapter turns
Luke 6:24 forms a natural hinge: “But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.”
The final note
Luke 6:49 leaves the reader with “But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words good, evil, love, sabbath, house, Blessed help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
What repeated description explains the judgment?
The earth is corrupt and filled with violence, especially in verses 11-13.
What does obedience look like here?
Detailed preparation, gathering provisions and constructing what God commands.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- unto
- to
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.