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Luke 6:20

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He [began] to say, “Blessed [are] you [who are] poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [are] ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [are] ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [are ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— And *he*, lifting up his eyes upon his disciples, said, Blessed [are] ye poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— And, he, lifting up his eyes towards his disciples, was saying:—Happy, ye destitute, for, yours, is the kingdom of God.
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— And he, having lifted up his eyes to his disciples, said: 'Happy the poor—because yours is the reign of God.
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— And hee lifted vp his eyes vpon his disciples, and sayd, Blessed be ye poore: for yours is the kingdome of God.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— And hee lifted vp his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be yee poore: for yours is the kingdome of God.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples and said, Blessed are you poor, for the kingdom of God is yours.
John Etheridge Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1849)
— AND he lifted up his eyes upon his disciples, and said, Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of Aloha.
James Murdock Peshitta-Aramaic NT (1852)
— And he lifted his eyes upon his disciples, and said: Blessed are ye poor; for the kingdom of God is yours.

Strong's Numbers & Red-LettersGreek New TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
And 2532
{2532} Prime
καί
kai
{kahee}
Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words.
he 846
{0846} Prime
αὐτός
autos
{ow-tos'}
From the particle αὖ [[au]] (perhaps akin to the base of G0109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of G1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons.
lifted up 1869
{1869} Prime
ἐπαίρω
epairo
{ep-ahee'-ro}
From G1909 and G0142; to raise up (literally or figuratively).
z5660
<5660> Grammar
Tense - Aorist (See G5777)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Participle (See G5796)
Count - 714
his y846
[0846] Standard
αὐτός
autos
{ow-tos'}
From the particle αὖ [[au]] (perhaps akin to the base of G0109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of G1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons.
x848
(0848) Complement
αὑτοῦ
hautou
{how-too'}
Contraction for G1438; self (in some oblique case or reflexive relation).
eyes 3788
{3788} Prime
ὀφθαλμός
ophthalmos
{of-thal-mos'}
From G3700; the eye (literally or figuratively); by implication vision; figuratively envy (from the jealous side glance).
on 1519
{1519} Prime
εἰς
eis
{ice}
A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases.
his 846
{0846} Prime
αὐτός
autos
{ow-tos'}
From the particle αὖ [[au]] (perhaps akin to the base of G0109 through the idea of a baffling wind; backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the compound of G1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons.
disciples, 3101
{3101} Prime
μαθητής
mathetes
{math-ay-tes'}
From G3129; a learner, that is, pupil.
and said, 3004
{3004} Prime
λέγω
lego
{leg'-o}
A primary verb; properly to 'lay' forth, that is, (figuratively) relate (in words [usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas G2036 and G5346 generally refer to an individual expression or speech respectively; while G4483 is properly to break silence merely, and G2980 means an extended or random harangue]); by implication to mean.
z5707
<5707> Grammar
Tense - Imperfect (See G5775)
Voice - Active (See G5784)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 855
Blessed 3107
{3107} Prime
μακάριος
makarios
{mak-ar'-ee-os}
A prolonged form of the poetical μάκαρ [[makar]] (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off.
[be ye] poor: 4434
{4434} Prime
πτωχός
ptochos
{pto-khos'}
From πτώσσω [[ptosso]] (to crouch; akin to G4422 and the alternate of G4098); a beggar (as cringing), that is, pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although also used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas G3993 properly means only straitened circumstances in private), literally (often as noun) or figuratively (distressed).
for 3754
{3754} Prime
ὅτι
hoti
{hot'-ee}
Neuter of G3748 as conjugation; demonstrative that (sometimes redundant); causatively because.
yours 5212
{5212} Prime
ὑμέτερος
humeteros
{hoo-met'-er-os}
From G5210; yours, that is, pertaining to you.
is 2076
{2076} Prime
ἐστί
esti
{es-tee'}
Third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are.
z5748
<5748> Grammar
Tense - Present (See G5774)
Voice - No Voice Stated (See G5799)
Mood - Indicative (See G5791)
Count - 1612
the x3588
(3588) Complement

ho
{ho}
The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom).
kingdom 932
{0932} Prime
βασιλεία
basileia
{bas-il-i'-ah}
From G0935; properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively).
of God. 2316
{2316} Prime
θεός
theos
{theh'-os}
Of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with G3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively a magistrate; by Hebraism very.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Luke 6:20-21

_ _ In the Sermon on the Mount the benediction is pronounced upon the “poor in spirit” and those who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matthew 5:3, Matthew 5:6). Here it is simply on the “poor” and the “hungry now.” In this form of the discourse, then, our Lord seems to have had in view “the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love Him,” as these very beatitudes are paraphrased by James (James 2:5).

Matthew Henry's Commentary

Luke 6:20-26

_ _ Here begins a practical discourse of Christ, which is continued to the end of the chapter, most of which is found in the sermon upon the mount, Mt. 5 and 7. Some think that this was preached at some other time and place, and there are other instances of Christ's preaching the same things, or to the same purport, at different times; but it is probable that this is only the evangelist's abridgment of that sermon, and perhaps that in Matthew too is but an abridgment; the beginning and the conclusion are much the same; and the story of the cure of the centurion's servant follows presently upon it, both there and here, but it is not material. In these verses, we have,

_ _ I. Blessings pronounced upon suffering saints, as happy people, though the world pities them (Luke 6:20): He lifted up his eyes upon his disciples, not only the twelve, but the whole company of them (Luke 6:17), and directed his discourse to them; for, when he had healed the sick in the plain, he went up again to the mountain, to preach. There he sat, as one having authority; thither they come to him (Matthew 5:1), and to them he directed his discourse, to them he applied it, and taught them to apply it to themselves. When he had laid it down for a truth, Blessed are the poor in spirit, he added, Blessed are ye poor. 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. And the application, as it is here, seems especially designed to encourage the disciples, with reference to the hardships and difficulties they were likely to meet with, in following Christ.

_ _ 1. “You are poor, you have left all to follow me, are content to live upon alms with me, are never to expect any worldly preferment in my service. You must work hard, and fare hard, as poor people do; but you are blessed in your poverty, it shall be no prejudice at all to your happiness; nay, you are blessed for it, all your losses shall be abundantly made up to you, for yours is the kingdom of God, all the comforts and graces of his kingdom here and all the glories and joys of his kingdom hereafter; yours it shall be, nay, yours it is.” Christ's poor are rich in faith, James 2:5.

_ _ 2. “You hunger now (Luke 6:21), you are not fed to the full as others are, you often rise hungry, your commons are so short; or you are so intent upon your work that you have not time to eat bread, you are glad of a few ears of corn for a meal's meat; thus you hunger now in this world, but in the other world you shall be filled, shall hunger no more, nor thirst any more.

_ _ 3. “You weep now, are often in tears, tears of repentance, tears of sympathy; you are of them that mourn in Zion. But blessed are you; your present sorrows are no prejudices to your future joy, but preparatories for it: You shall laugh. You have triumphs in reserve; you are but sowing in tears, and shall shortly reap in joy,Psalms 126:5, Psalms 126:6. They that now sorrow after a godly sort are treasuring up comforts for themselves, or, rather, God is treasuring up comforts for them; and the day is coming when their mouth shall be filled with laughing and their lips with rejoicing, Job 8:21.

_ _ 4. “You now undergo the world's ill will. You must expect all the base treatment that a spiteful world can give you for Christ's sake, because you serve him and his interests; you must expect that wicked men will hate you, because your doctrine and life convict and condemn them; and those that have church-power in their hands will separate you, will force you to separate yourselves, and then excommunicate you for so doing, and lay you under the most ignominious censures. They will pronounce anathemas against you, as scandalous and incorrigible offenders. They will do this with all possible gravity and solemnity, and pomp and pageantry of appeals to Heaven, to make the world believe, and almost you yourselves too, that it is ratified in heaven. Thus will they endeavour to make you odious to others and a terror to yourselves.” This is supposed to be the proper notion of aphorissin humasthey shall cast you out of their synagogues. “And they that have not this power will not fail to show their malice, to the utmost of their power; for they will reproach you, will charge you with the blackest crimes, which you are perfectly innocent of, will fasten upon you the blackest characters, which you do not deserve; they will cast out your name as evil, your name as Christians, as apostles; they will do all they can to render these names odious.” This is the application of the eighth beatitude, Matthew 5:10-12.

_ _ ”Such usage as this seems hard; but blessed are you when you are so used. It is so far from depriving you of your happiness that it will greatly add to it. It is an honour to you, as it is to a brave hero to be employed in the wars, in the service of his prince; and therefore rejoice you in that day, and leap for joy, Luke 6:23. Do not only bear it, but triumph in it. For,” (1.) “You are hereby highly dignified in the kingdom of grace, for you are treated as the prophets were before you, and therefore not only need not be ashamed of it, but may justly rejoice in it, for it will be an evidence for you that you walk in the same spirit, and in the same steps, are engaged in the same cause, and employed in the same service, with them.” (2.) “You will for this be abundantly recompensed in the kingdom of glory; not only your services for Christ, but your sufferings will come into the account: Your reward is great in heaven. Venture upon your sufferings, in a full belief that the glory of heaven will abundantly countervail all these hardships; so that, though you may be losers for Christ, you shall not be losers by him in the end.”

_ _ II. Woes denounced against prospering sinners as miserable people, though the world envies them. These we had not in Matthew. It should seem, the best exposition of these woes, compared with the foregoing blessings, is the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus had the blessedness of those that are poor, and hunger, and weep, now, for in Abraham's bosom all the promises made to them who did so were made good to him; but the rich man had the woes that follow here, as he had the character of those on whom these woes are entailed.

_ _ 1. Here is a woe to them that are rich, that is, that trust in riches, that have abundance of this world's wealth, and, instead of serving God with it, serve their lusts with it; woe to them, for they have received their consolation, that which they placed their happiness in, and were willing to take up with for a portion, Luke 6:24. They in their life-time received their good things, which, in their account, were the best things, and all the good things they are ever likely to receive from God. “You that are rich are in temptation to set your hearts upon a smiling world, and to say, Soul, take thine ease in the embraces of it, This is my rest for ever, here will I dwell; and then woe unto you.” (1.) It is the folly of carnal worldlings that they make the things of this world their consolation, which were intended only for their convenience. They please themselves with them, pride themselves in them, and make them their heaven upon earth; and to them the consolations of God are small, and of no account. (2.) It is their misery that they are put off with them as their consolation. Let them know it, to their terror, when they are parted from these things, there is an end of all their comfort, a final end of it, and nothing remains to them but everlasting misery and torment.

_ _ 2. Here is a woe to them that are full (Luke 6:25), that are fed to the full, and have more than heart could wish (Psalms 73:7), that have their bellies filled with the hid treasures of this world (Psalms 17:14), that, when they have abundance of these, are full, and think they have enough, they need no more, they desire no more, Revelation 3:17. Now ye are full, now ye are rich, 1 Corinthians 4:8. They are full of themselves, without God and Christ. Woe to such, for they shall hunger, they shall shortly be stripped and emptied of all the things they are so proud of; and, when they shall have left behind them in the world all those things which are their fulness, they shall carry away with them such appetites and desires as the world they remove to will afford them no gratifications of; for all the delights of sense, which they are now so full of, will in hell be denied, and in heaven superseded.

_ _ 3. Here is a woe to them that laugh now, that have always a disposition to be merry, and always something to make merry with; that know no other joy than that which is carnal and sensual, and know no other use of this world's good than purely to indulge that carnal sensual joy that banishes sorrow, even godly sorrow, from their minds, and are always entertaining themselves with the laughter of the fool. Woe unto such, for it is but now, for a little time, that they laugh; they shall mourn and weep shortly, shall mourn and weep eternally, in a world where there is nothing but weeping and wailing, endless, easeless, and remediless sorrow.

_ _ 4. Here is a woe to them whom all men speak well of, that is, who make it their great and only care to gain the praise and applause of men, who value themselves upon that more than upon the favour of God and his acceptance (Luke 6:26): “Woe unto you; that is, it would be a bad sign that you were not faithful to your trust, and to the souls of men, if you preached so as that nobody would be disgusted; for your business is to tell people of their faults, and, if you do that as you ought, you will get that ill will which never speaks well. The false prophets indeed, that flattered your father in their wicked ways, that prophesied smooth things to them, were caressed and spoken well of; and, if you be in like manner cried up, you will be justly suspected to deal deceitfully as they did.” We should desire to have the approbation of those that are wise and good, and not be indifferent to what people say of us; but, as we should despise the reproaches, so we should also despise the praises, of the fools in Israel.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Luke 6:20

In the following verses our Lord, in the audience of his newly — chosen disciples, and of the multitude, repeats, standing on the plain, many remarkable passages of the sermon he had before delivered, sitting on the mount. He here again pronounces the poor and the hungry, the mourners, and the persecuted, happy; and represents as miserable those who are rich, and full, and joyous, and applauded: because generally prosperity is a sweet poison, and affliction a healing, though bitter medicine. Let the thought reconcile us to adversity, and awaken our caution when the world smiles upon us; when a plentiful table is spread before us, and our cup is running over; when our spirits are gay; and we hear (what nature loves) our own praise from men. Happy are ye poor — The word seems here to be taken literally: ye who have left al] for me. Matthew 5:3.

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Luke 6:20

(4) And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed [be ye] poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

(4) Christ teaches against all philosophers, and especially the Epicureans, that the greatest happiness of man is laid up in no place here on earth, but in heaven, and that persecution for righteousness' sake is the right way to achieve it.

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
he lifted:

Matthew 5:2-12 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, ... Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 12:49-50 And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! ... For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Mark 3:34-35 And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! ... For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

Blessed:

Luke 6:24 But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation.
Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
1 Samuel 2:8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set [them] among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth [are] the LORD'S, and he hath set the world upon them.
Psalms 37:16 A little that a righteous man hath [is] better than the riches of many wicked.
Psalms 113:7-8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, [and] lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; ... That he may set [him] with princes, [even] with the princes of his people.
Proverbs 16:19 Better [it is to be] of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
Proverbs 19:1 Better [is] the poor that walketh in his integrity, than [he that is] perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase [their] joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
Isaiah 57:15-16 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. ... For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth: for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls [which] I have made.
Isaiah 66:2 For all those [things] hath mine hand made, and all those [things] have been, saith the LORD: but to this [man] will I look, [even] to [him that is] poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.
Zephaniah 3:12 I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the LORD.
Zechariah 11:11 And it was broken in that day: and so the poor of the flock that waited upon me knew that it [was] the word of the LORD.
Matthew 11:5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
John 7:48-49 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him? ... But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]: ... That no flesh should glory in his presence.
2 Corinthians 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and [yet] possessing all things.
2 Corinthians 8:2 How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.
2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
James 1:9-10 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: ... But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
James 2:5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Revelation 2:9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan.

for:

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 13:28 There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you [yourselves] thrust out.
Luke 14:15 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed [is] he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
Matthew 5:3 Blessed [are] the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10 Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, [and] exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 3:21-23 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; ... And ye are Christ's; and Christ [is] God's.
2 Thessalonians 1:5 [Which is] a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
James 1:12 Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

1S 2:8. Ps 37:16; 113:7. Pv 16:19; 19:1. Is 29:19; 57:15; 66:2. Zp 3:12. Zc 11:11. Mt 5:2, 3, 10; 11:5; 12:49. Mk 3:34. Lk 4:18; 6:24; 12:32; 13:28; 14:15; 16:25. Jn 7:48. Ac 14:22. 1Co 1:26; 3:21. 2Co 6:10; 8:2, 9. 1Th 1:6. 2Th 1:5. Jm 1:9, 12; 2:5. Rv 2:9.

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