Luke 6 Chapter Summary and Outline
Introduction
Luke 6 records Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain, where He teaches radical love, mercy, and humility. He blesses the poor and persecuted, calls followers to love their enemies, and warns against judgment. The chapter ends with a call to build one’s life on His words, like a house with a solid foundation.
Luke 6 Outline
| Passage | Title | Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Luke 6:1–5 | Jesus and the Sabbath | Jesus defends His disciples’ actions on the Sabbath, asserting His authority as Lord of it. |
| Luke 6:6–11 | Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath | He heals a man’s hand, exposing the Pharisees’ hardness of heart. |
| Luke 6:12–16 | Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles | After a night of prayer, Jesus selects twelve disciples to be apostles. |
| Luke 6:17–26 | The Sermon on the Plain | Jesus blesses the poor and warns the rich, flipping social expectations. |
| Luke 6:27–36 | Love Your Enemies | Radical love and mercy define the ethics of God’s Kingdom. |
| Luke 6:37–42 | Do Not Judge | Jesus warns against hypocrisy and harsh judgment. |
| Luke 6:43–45 | A Tree and Its Fruit | Our words and actions reveal the true condition of our hearts. |
| Luke 6:46–49 | The Wise and Foolish Builders | A life built on Jesus’ words will stand; without them, it crumbles. |
Luke 6 Summary
Luke 6, often referred to as the Sermon on the Plain, presents Jesus' teachings on discipleship and living a righteous life.
It opens with the Beatitudes, pronouncing blessings on the poor, the hungry, the mournful, and the persecuted. Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner qualities like humility, mercy, and peacemaking, thus challenging all would-be followers.
He challenges social norms, encouraging followers to love their enemies, turn the other cheek, and give generously. The chapter highlights the importance of following Jesus' teachings rather than just hearing them.
Luke Chapter 6 Outline
1. Jesus and the Sabbath (6:1-11):
Jesus defends his disciples for picking grain on the Sabbath, explaining that the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. He heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ strict interpretations of Sabbath law.
Read more here and here
2. The Choosing of the Twelve Apostles (6:12-16):
Jesus spends a night in prayer before selecting twelve men to be his apostles, including Peter, James, John, and Judas Iscariot.
3. The Sermon on the Plain: The Beatitudes and Woes (6:17-26):
Jesus pronounces blessings (Beatitudes) on the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the persecuted. He contrasts these with woes for the rich, the satisfied, those who laugh now, and those who are well-liked by others. We marvel that Jesus could live his own message.
Read more about the Sermon on the Plain here.
Compare the Sermon on the Mount with the Sermon on the Plain
4. Love for Enemies (6:27-36):
Jesus instructs his followers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who mistreat them. He emphasizes turning the other cheek, generosity, and treating others as you wish to be treated. Jesus calls for mercy, as God is merciful. Has there ever been a harder message than this?
Read more about Jesus’ teaching about loving enemies.
5. Judging Others (6:37-42):
Jesus warns against judging others, teaching that the measure we use will be applied to us. He uses the parable of the speck and the log to emphasize addressing one’s faults before criticizing others.
Read more about what Jesus has to say about judging others.
6. A Tree and Its Fruit (6:43-45):
Jesus teaches that a tree is known by its fruit, explaining that good actions come from a good heart, while evil actions come from a corrupt heart. God changes us from the inside out.
Read more about what Jesus said about our behavior, a tree and its fruit.
7. The Wise and Foolish Builders (6:46-49):
Jesus concludes by stressing the importance of acting on his words, comparing those who follow his teachings to a wise builder with a strong foundation.
Read more about this section of Scripture by clicking here.
FAQ Section
What is the main theme of Luke 6?
Luke 6 focuses on Jesus’ call to radical discipleship, including loving enemies, rejecting judgment, and building one’s life on His teachings. It turns social norms upside-down and emphasizes humility, mercy, and obedience.
What are the Beatitudes in Luke?
The Beatitudes in Luke 6:20–23 bless the poor, hungry, sorrowful, and persecuted. They contrast sharply with the “woes” that follow, offering a vision of God’s upside-down kingdom.
What is the Sermon on the Plain?
The Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17–49) is a shorter counterpart to Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount. It includes teachings on love, forgiveness, judgment, and the wise builder.
Read more about the difference between the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain
