20 And he, having lifted up his eyes to his disciples, said: 'Happy the poor—because yours is the reign of God. 21 'Happy those hungering now—because ye shall be filled. 'Happy those weeping now—because ye shall laugh. 22 'Happy are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you, and shall reproach, and shall cast forth your name as evil, for the Son of Man's sake— 23 rejoice in that day, and leap, for lo, your reward 'is' great in the heaven, for according to these things were their fathers doing to the prophets. 24 'But wo to you—the rich, because ye have got your comfort. 25 'Wo to you who have been filled—because ye shall hunger. 'Wo to you who are laughing now—because ye shall mourn and weep. 26 'Wo to you when all men shall speak well of you—for according to these things were their fathers doing to false prophets.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 6:20-26
Commentary on Luke 6:20-26
(Read Luke 6:20-26)
Here begins a discourse of Christ, most of which is also found in Matthew 5. But some think that this was preached at another time and place. All believers that take the precepts of the gospel to themselves, and live by them, may take the promises of the gospel to themselves, and live upon them. Woes are denounced against prosperous sinners as miserable people, though the world envies them. Those are blessed indeed whom Christ blesses, but those must be dreadfully miserable who fall under his woe and curse! What a vast advantage will the saint have over the sinner in the other world! and what a wide difference will there be in their rewards, how much soever the sinner may prosper, and the saint be afflicted here!