12: Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17 – 36)

Promises of the Upside-Down Kingdom (17-23), Warnings to the Self-Sufficient (24 – 26), The Radical Ethic of Love and Mercy: Imitating the Character of God (27 – 36)

👉 Read Luke 6:17 - 36

Q1. “Sermon on the Plain” (Luke 6:17–49) and “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt 5–7) contain similar teachings but reflect different emphases. Compare two passages, especially on the setting and audience.

Setting:

• Luke: A level place (plain), stressing nearness and accessibility.

• Matthew: A mountain, highlighting authority and continuity with Moses.

Audience:

• Luke: A large crowd from Judea, Jerusalem, and Gentile regions (Tyre and Sidon), emphasizing the inclusive reach of the Kingdom.

• Matthew: Primarily disciples, emphasizing instruction for committed followers.

Matthew emphasizes the Kingdom of Heaven—its fulfillment of Scripture and its global proclamation—while Luke highlights God’s saving work among the lost and marginalized and calls for personal, costly commitment to that Kingdom.

Matthew shows the Kingdom proclaimed; Luke shows the Kingdom experienced.

Q2. “Blessed are you who are (       ), for the (                      ) belongs to you. Blessed are you who hunger (       ), for you (        ) be satisfied. Blessed are you when people hate you on account of (                 ) because your reward in (             ) is great.”

“Blessed are you who are ( poor  ), for the ( the kingdom of God  ) belongs to you. Blessed are you who hunger ( now  ), for you ( will ) be satisfied. Blessed are you when people hate you on account of ( the Son of Man  ) because your reward in ( heaven  ) is great.”

Verses 20–21 promise comfort and restoration in God's kingdom for the marginalized, especially the disciples. Verse 22 develops more so that allegiance to Christ will bring persecution from the world, yet it guarantees heavenly reward when the kingdom is fully revealed.

Q3. Compare the reasons for blessing (v20-23) and reasons for woe (v24-26). Luke says, 'Woe to you if you are rich, well satisfied, and spoken well by people.' Why is that so?   

Such a life has no place in God’s kingdom. History shows that God’s true servants are opposed, while false prophets are appraised. And the poor always exists among us, and a peace enjoyed only for oneself exposes a selfish heart, which is not of the Kingdom.

Faithful allegiance to Jesus Christ and the gospel will not earn applause from everyone.

Q4. (27-35) This section teaches us the ethics of the Kingdom of God. The key command is love your enemies, not merely your neighbors. What are the two principles in the kingdom ethics? (31, 35)

Your conscience knows what is good behavior. Treat others in the same way that you would want them to treat you. 

Imitate your Father. He is kind to even to evil people.

In Jesus’ day, the prevailing ethic—famously summarized by Rabbi Hillel—was passive: “What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor.” Jesus transformed this restraint into an active mandate: "Do unto others." By shifting from avoiding harm to pursuing good, he established the Golden Rule as the defining ethic of the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, Jesus elevated this command beyond the limits of human conscience, calling believers to transcend earthly morality and instead imitate the very character of God.

Q5. ‘Be merciful, just as your (          ) is merciful”

Father

Those who anticipate the Kingdom of God persevere through persecution, fueled by the hope of restoration and reward. Beyond mere endurance, they strive to reflect the character of God in their daily lives.