Devine Scripture

Luke 6:20

What does Luke 6:20 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 6:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 6:20 means

Jesus, looking at His disciples, began His discourse by declaring, "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God." This beatitude radically reorients societal values, proclaiming that those who are economically destitute or spiritually humble by choice are especially favored by God. It signifies that the Kingdom of God is often received by those who recognize their need and depend on God, rather than those who rely on worldly prosperity or self-sufficiency, highlighting a complete reversal of human expectations.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessedare ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessedare ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And turning his eyes to his disciples he said, Happy are you who are poor: for the kingdom of God is yours.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he, having lifted up his eyes to his disciples, said: `Happy the poor--because yours is the reign of God.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he, lifting up his eyes on his disciples, said: Blessed are ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he, lifting up his eyes upon his disciples, said, Blessed [are] ye poor, for yours is the kingdom ofGod.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' profound sermon, often called the Sermon on the Plain, directly addressing His disciples. It immediately establishes a radical reversal of common human values, setting the theological and ethical tone for the entire discourse. This initial beatitude lays the groundwork for the counter-cultural demands of Kingdom living.

v.19And all the multitude sought to touch him; for power came forth from him, and healed them all.

v.20This passage

v.21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 19:1

    Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

  • Proverbs 16:19

    Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.

  • 2 Corinthians 8:2

    how that in much proof of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality.

  • Luke 12:32

    Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

  • John 7:48

    Hath any of the rulers believed on him, or of the Pharisees?

  • Luke 13:28

    There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without.

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