6:17 Then 1 he came down with them and stood on a level place. 2 And a large number 3 of his disciples had gathered 4 along with 5 a vast multitude from all over Judea, from 6 Jerusalem, 7 and from the seacoast of Tyre 8 and Sidon. 9 They came to hear him and to be healed 10 of their diseases, 6:18 and those who suffered from 11 unclean 12 spirits were cured. 6:19 The 13 whole crowd was trying to touch him, because power 14 was coming out from him and healing them all.
6:20 Then 15 he looked up 16 at his disciples and said:
“Blessed 17 are you who are poor, 18 for the kingdom of God belongs 19 to you.
1 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
2 tn Or “on a plateau.” This could refer to a message given in a flat locale or in a flat locale in the midst of a more mountainous region (Jer 21:13; Isa 13:2). It is quite possible that this sermon is a summary version of the better known Sermon on the Mount from Matt 5-7.
3 tn Grk “large crowd.”
4 tn There is no verb in Greek at this point, but since “a large crowd” (see preceding tn) is in the nominative case, one needs to be supplied.
5 tn Grk “and.”
6 tn Grk “and from,” but καί (kai) has not been translated since English normally uses a coordinating conjunction only between the last two elements in a series of three or more.
7 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
8 map For location see Map1-A2; Map2-G2; Map4-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3.
9 sn These last two locations, Tyre and Sidon, represented an expansion outside of traditional Jewish territory. Jesus’ reputation continued to expand into new regions.
10 sn To hear him and to be healed. Jesus had a two-level ministry: The word and then wondrous acts of service that showed his message of God’s care were real.
11 tn Or “were oppressed by,” “were troubled with.” See L&N 22.17.
12 sn Unclean spirits refers to evil spirits. See Luke 4:33.
21 tn Grk “And the.” Here καί (kai) has not been translated because of differences between Greek and English style.
22 sn There was a recognition that there was great power at work through Jesus, the subject of a great debate in 11:14-23. Luke highlights Jesus’ healing ministry (5:17; 6:18; 7:7; 8:47; 9:11, 42; 14:4; 17:15; 18:42-43; 22:51; Acts 10:38).
31 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.
32 tn Grk “lifting up his eyes” (an idiom). The participle ἐπάρας (epara") has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.
33 sn The term Blessed introduces the first of several beatitudes promising blessing to those whom God cares for. They serve as an invitation to come into the grace God offers.
34 sn You who are poor is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See Ps 14:6; 22:24; 25:16; 34:6; 40:17; 69:29.
35 sn The present tense (belongs) here is significant. Jesus makes the kingdom and its blessings currently available. This phrase is unlike the others in the list with the possessive pronoun being emphasized. Jesus was saying, in effect, “the kingdom belongs even now to people like you.”