Luk 6:20-23 | NET2full | STEP | Then he looked up at his disciples and said: “ Blessed are you who are poor , for the kingdom of God belongs to you .

‏ Luke 6:20-23

20 Then ^{▼▼tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “then” to indicate the implied sequence of events within the narrative.} he looked up ^{▼▼tn Grk “lifting up his eyes” (an idiom). The participle ἐπάρας (eparas) has been translated as a finite verb due to requirements of contemporary English style.} at his disciples and said:
“Blessed ^{▼▼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.} are you who are poor, ^{▼▼sn You who are poor is a reference to the “pious poor” for whom God especially cares. See Pss 14:6; 22:24; 25:16; 34:6; 40:17; 69:29.} for the kingdom of God belongs ^{▼▼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.”} to you.
21 Blessed are you who hunger ^{▼▼sn You who hunger are people like the poor Jesus has already mentioned. The term has OT roots both in conjunction with the poor (Isa 32:6-7; 58:6-7, 9-10; Ezek 18:7, 16) or by itself (Pss 37:16-19; 107:9).} now, for you will be satisfied. ^{▼▼sn The promise you will be satisfied is the first of several “reversals” noted in these promises. The beatitudes and the reversals that accompany them serve in the sermon as an invitation to enter into God’s care because one can know God cares for those who turn to him.}
Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. ^{▼▼sn You will laugh alludes to the joy that comes to God’s people in the salvation to come.}
22 Blessed are you when people ^{▼▼tn This is a generic use of ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), referring to both males and females.} hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil ^{▼▼tn Or “disdain you”; Grk “cast out your name as evil.” The word “name” is used here as a figure of speech to refer to the person as a whole.} ^{▼▼sn The phrase when they exclude you and insult you and reject you as evil alludes to a person being ostracized and socially isolated because of association with the Son of Man, Jesus.} on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and jump for joy because ^{▼▼tn Grk “because behold.” The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this clause has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).} your reward is great in heaven. For their ancestors ^{▼▼tn Or “forefathers”; Grk “fathers.”} did the same things to the prophets. ^{▼▼sn Mistreatment of the prophets is something Luke often notes (Luke 11:47-51; Acts 7:51-52).}