Luke 6:20

Lifted up. See on Matt. 5:2.

Blessed. Luke records four of the eight beatitudes given by Matthew. For a comparison of the two series of beatitudes, see on Matt. 5:3. In addition to four blessings, Luke gives four comparable woes (see Luke 6:24-26).

Ye poor. Luke seems to apply the beatitudes more literally, or materially, than does Matthew (see on Matt. 5:3). This literalness becomes even more apparent in connection with the accompanying woes (see on Luke 6:24). Nevertheless, Luke’s brief and literal record of the beatitudes should be read in the light of the more complete and specific record of the sermon as reported by Matthew. The strong contrast between poverty, hunger, and persecution “now,” and the future state of blessing (see v. 21, etc.), may at first seem to lend a materialistic slant to Christ’s words. But in the setting of the sermon as a whole (see on Matt. 5:2), it becomes clear that this is not the case. Christ is simply contrasting the present state of those seeking the kingdom, with their condition after entering the kingdom.