Lucas 6:20-49

3. The Sermon on the Mount 6:20-49

Luke’s version of this important address, primarily aimed at Jesus’ disciples, is much shorter than Matthew’s (Matthew 5:3 to Matthew 7:29). Matthew’s account contains 137 verses whereas Luke’s has 30. Both accounts begin with beatitudes, contain the same general content, and end with the same parables. However, Luke edited out the teachings that have distinctively Jewish appeal, specifically Jesus’ interpretations of the Mosaic Law, the "legal matters." These parts had less significance for an audience of predominantly Gentile Christians.

"Luke’s including the Sermon in a form that relates to Gentiles shows the message is timeless." [Note: Idem, "A Theology . . .," p. 114.]

Some commentators refer to this section of Luke’s Gospel as the Sermon on the Plain. Some of them believe that it was a different sermon from the Sermon on the Mount, given on a different occasion and in a different place, as mentioned above. Others believe there was only one sermon, and they use this name to differentiate this version of the sermon from Matthew’s version that they call the Sermon on the Mount. I believe it is the same sermon and prefer to call it the Sermon on the Mount to avoid the implication of two sermons.