Luke 6

Son of Man, Lord of the Sabbath

Son of Man — Son of the Man of Holiness (Moses 6:57)

And 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; Luke 6:3–5

Jesus claims to be Lord of the sabbath. As Jehovah He gave the sabbath to Israel as a sign between Him and them, so He has authority to teach its true meaning.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 2:27-28 — The Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
• alludes to 1 Samuel 21:6 — David eats the shewbread.
• alludes to Exodus 31:13 — My sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you... I am the LORD.

Healing on the sabbath

But 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. Luke 6:8–11

Jesus heals a withered hand on the sabbath, teaching that the sabbath is for doing good and saving life. His enemies begin plotting against Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 3:1-6 — Same healing and plot.

Calling the Twelve

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. Luke 6:12–13

The Son prays all night to His Father before choosing His Twelve Apostles, His special witnesses. He organizes His Church under His own authority.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Mark 3:13-19 — The choosing of the Twelve.

Power going out of Him

And 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 Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; Luke 6:17–19

Crowds from everywhere reach out to touch Jesus, and healing power flows from Him to all.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 3:7-10 — Multitudes press to touch Him.

Son of Man (Beatitudes)

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Luke 6:20–23

Jesus teaches that suffering for His sake brings great reward in heaven. He refers to Himself as the Son of Man.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Matthew 5:3-12 — The Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount.
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:1-12 — The risen Lord gives the Beatitudes to the Nephites ('for my sake').

Jesus teaches love of enemies

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Luke 6:27–36

With 'I say unto you,' Jesus teaches the higher law of loving enemies and being merciful like the Father. He later lived this perfectly, forgiving those who crucified Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 5:38-48 — Love your enemies in the Sermon on the Mount.
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 12:38-45 — The same teaching given to the Nephites.

The Master

The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master. Luke 6:40

Jesus is the Master His disciples follow. The goal of discipleship is to become like Him.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 10:24-25 — It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master.
• alluded to by 3 Nephi 27:27 — What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

Called Lord

And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Luke 6:46–47

Jesus accepts the title Lord but insists that calling Him Lord means doing what He says. True discipleship is coming to Him and obeying.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 7:21 — Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord.
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:21 — The same words to the Nephites.

The Rock foundation

He 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. Luke 6:48–49

The one who hears and does Christ's words builds on a rock that floods cannot shake. Latter-day Saint scripture teaches that this sure foundation is the rock of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Matthew 7:24-27 — The wise man built his house upon a rock.
• a parallel account in 3 Nephi 14:24-27 — The same parable to the Nephites.
• the same title in Helaman 5:12 — It is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, that ye must build your foundation.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:39-40 — Whoso buildeth upon this buildeth upon my rock.