Jesus looked directly at his followers and declared them "blessed" not because they lacked possessions, but because their present condition—their dependence and humility—made them receptive to the arrival of God's reign. This "kingdom" isn't a future reward for suffering, but a present reality that belongs to those who recognize their deep need for God.
And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just spent the night in prayer before choosing the twelve apostles. He then comes down to a level place where a great multitude and his disciples are gathered. This discourse, similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, begins with blessings pronounced on those who are seemingly disadvantaged in this world, contrasting their current state with the future reality of God's kingdom.
Jesus starts his teaching with a radical declaration: the poor are blessed. But what kind of poverty does he mean?
In Luke's Gospel, Jesus addresses his disciples and pronounces a blessing on the 'poor.' This isn't just about lacking money or possessions.
A Deeper Poverty
Commentators note that while Luke simply says 'poor,' Matthew's parallel account says 'poor in spirit.' This suggests Jesus is talking about a poverty of spirit – a deep sense of need and dependence on God, rather than self-sufficiency. It's about recognizing our spiritual bankruptcy apart from Him.
The World's View vs. God's View
The world often equates blessing with wealth and status. But Jesus flips this entirely. He values humility, a lack of pride, and a recognition of our utter need for God. This spiritual poverty is the very condition that makes us open to receive the riches of God's kingdom.
When Jesus speaks of the 'kingdom of God,' what exactly is he referring to, and for whom is it 'yours'?
The phrase 'kingdom of God' was a powerful concept in Jesus' day, often associated with future messianic hope. However, Jesus frequently used it to describe God's active reign and rule that is breaking into the present.
Not Just a Future Hope
Jesus makes it clear that the kingdom isn't solely a future reality. By saying 'yours the kingdom of God,' he indicates present possession. For those who are 'poor in spirit' – those who recognize their need for God and depend on Him – the reign of God is a present reality in their lives.
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An Inner Reality
The kingdom of God is not primarily about geographical borders or political power. It's about God's rule establishing itself in the hearts and lives of people. It's a spiritual reality that transforms individuals and, through them, begins to shape the world.
Understand the original words
makarios · Greek Adjective
A state of spiritual favor and divine joy that is independent of worldly circumstances. It characterizes those who live in a right relationship with God, often contrasting with worldly expectations.
ptōchos · Greek Adjective
Refers to those who lack material resources, but biblically emphasizes those who recognize their total spiritual need and dependence upon God. The 'poor in spirit' are those who have abandoned self-reliance to trust solely in the Lord.
basileia tou Theou · Greek Noun phrase
The sovereign rule, reign, and authority of God over His creation and His people. It is both a present spiritual reality in the lives of believers and a future, perfected state when God’s kingdom will be fully established.
makarioi · Greek Adjective
A state of spiritual wellbeing and joy that comes from God’s favor, often contrary to outward circumstances. It describes the favorable condition of those who belong to the kingdom of God.
peinōntes · Greek Adjective/Participle
A literal or metaphorical state of lacking essential sustenance, often used in Scripture to describe a spiritual yearning for righteousness and dependence on God.
klaiontes · Greek Verb/Participle
To mourn, lament, or cry; in a biblical context, it often refers to sorrow caused by the brokenness of the world or conviction of sin, which precedes divine comfort.
Luke's account of the beatitudes here, focusing simply on the 'poor' and 'hungry,' emphasizes Jesus's radical redefinition of blessing and divine favor. It highlights a spiritual reality where worldly status is irrelevant, a core tenet of the kingdom he proclaimed.
Early 1st century AD— this verse
Jesus chooses the Twelve Apostles
After spending a night in prayer, Jesus selected the twelve apostles from his disciples. This event was a pivotal moment in the formation of the early church.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus begins his public ministry
Jesus traveled throughout Galilee and Judea, teaching, healing, and gathering a large following. His message often centered on the 'kingdom of God'.
Early 1st century AD
The concept of the 'Kingdom of God' circulates
The phrase 'kingdom of God' was a common concept, often associated with hopes for a restored Israel. Jesus' use of it, however, broadened its meaning to include a spiritual and inner reality.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus delivers the Sermon on the Plain
In Luke's Gospel, this teaching is presented as Jesus speaking to both his disciples and a larger crowd on a plain, contrasting with Matthew's 'Sermon on the Mount'.
This passage is the parallel account in Matthew's Gospel, which expands on the Beatitudes, explicitly including 'poor in spirit' and further elaborating on the spiritual nature of the Kingdom.
James 2:5James directly quotes or alludes to this blessing, connecting the 'poor' of the world with being 'rich in faith' and heirs of the kingdom, highlighting the spiritual richness found in material poverty.
Isaiah 66:2This Old Testament prophecy speaks of God looking favorably upon those who are 'poor and of a contrite spirit,' echoing the sentiment that genuine humility and reliance on God, rather than worldly wealth, are highly valued.
Luke 1:53This verse shows Mary's Magnificat, where she praises God for filling the hungry with good things and sending the rich away empty, underscoring a consistent theme in Luke's Gospel about God's favor towards the humble and the poor.
barnesLuke 6:20: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."
See this passage fully illustrated in the sermon on the mount, in Matthew 5-7 .
jfbLuke 6:20: "And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God."
20, 21. In the Sermon on the Mount the benediction is pronounced upon the "poor in spirit" and those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness" (Mt 5:3, 6). Here it is simply on the "poor" and the "hungry now." In this form of the discourse, then, our Lord seems to have had in view "the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which God hath promised to the…
Jesus looked directly at his followers and declared them "blessed" not because they lacked possessions, but because their present condition—their dependence and humility—made them receptive to the arrival of God's reign. This "kingdom" isn't a future reward for suffering, but a present reality that belongs to those who recognize their deep need for God.
Jesus has just spent the night in prayer before choosing the twelve apostles. He then comes down to a level place where a great multitude and his disciples are gathered. This discourse, similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, begins with blessings pronounced on those who are seemingly disadvantaged in this world, contrasting their current state with the future reality of God's kingdom.
Jesus has just spent the night in prayer before choosing the twelve apostles. He then comes down to a level place where a great multitude and his disciples are gathered. This discourse, similar to the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew, begins with blessings pronounced on those who are seemingly disadvantaged in this world, contrasting their current state with the future reality of God's kingdom.
"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh." — Jesus looked directly at his followers and declared them "blessed" not because they lacked possessions, but because their present condition—their dependence and humility—made them receptive to the…
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Last reviewed October 2026
