#46 The Sermon on the Plain
Please first read: Luke 6:17-49
The same
basic sermon was given by Christ to the Nephites after his resurrection
(3 Nephi
chapters 12-14) showing that the material in Matthew is all (probably) one
continuous discourse. We have such a small example in our scriptures of
the many times Jesus taught … he would have repeated many things many
times. The Nephite version was given after the Nephite Twelve were
called. Some portions of the sermon are addressed to the Twelve Apostles
and some portions are for the multitude in general. The JST of Matthew
chapters 5-7, adds a considerable amount of additional material that applies to
the Twelve rather than to the people in general.
We have four
scriptural records of this sermon – Luke, Matthew, JST Matthew, and in Third
Nephi. The Prophet Joseph Smith made no material changes in Luke’s
rendition, although he added some language that clarified what was already
written. (Luke 6:29-30) All four scriptural accounts use the same general
pattern, the same doctrinal truths, and follow the same sequence. The accounts
vary somewhat because they are all abridgements only, but they are the
same subjects. The JST version of Matthew gives us the fullest and most
complete report. In some subjects covered in both the Mount and the Plain
we find additional insights given in Luke
Examples:
·
Turning the other
cheek: JST Luke 6:29-30
·
Judge
righteously: Luke 6:37-38; 41-42
·
Be obedient: Luke
6:46-49
Apostle
James E. Talmage:
“The
opening sentences are rich in blessing, and the first section of the discourse
is devoted to an explanation of what constitutes genuine blessedness; the
lesson, moreover, was made simple and unambiguous by specific application, each
of the blessed being assured of recompense and reward in the enjoyment of
conditions directly opposite to those under which he had suffered. The
blessings particularized by the Lord on this occasion have been designated in
literature of later time as the Beatitudes. The poor in spirit are to be
made rich as rightful heirs to the kingdom of heaven; the mourner shall be
comforted for he shall see the divine purpose in his grief, and shall
again associate with the beloved ones of whom he has been
bereft; the meek, who suffer spoliation rather than jeopardize their
souls in contention, shall inherit the earth; those that hunger and thirst
for the truth shall be fed in rich abundance; they that show mercy shall
be judged mercifully; the pure in heart shall be admitted to the very
presence of God; the peacemakers, who try to save themselves and their
fellows from strife, shall be numbered among the children of God; they
that suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness shall inherit the riches
of the eternal kingdom. To the disciples the Lord spake directly,
saying: “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and
shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and
be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so
persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (p. 230-231)
Larson:
Jesus now
presents a new set of “rules” for living … not just new, but revolutionary in
the extreme. As mortals we tend to resist rules; we don’t like
anything that restricts us; but what Jesus is teaching here is contrary to
their ways of dealing within society, patterns of behavior, reaction, and mores
that have been in place for centuries. The changes required will not just
be a greater ability to love, but Christ-like love will be needed, tempered
with much mercy. God’s law of love goes far beyond “keeping the rules.” It
will affect all … Pharisees, Sadducees, Scribes, Essenes, Gentiles … and all
areas in which Jesus will have his ministry … Galilee, Judea, Peraea, Samaria,
and Decapolis. The opposition to Jesus will now greatly increase on all
fronts.
Fitzmyer:
Similarities
and Differences:
·
Luke the
Plain: 30 verses
·
Matthew the Mount: 107
verses
·
Subject
matter: both expect certain conduct from disciples
·
Content: almost
all sayings in Luke are found in Matthew, especially those requiring love
of ones’ neighbor, and even one’s enemies
·
Conclusion: listeners
are challenged to become doers
·
Location: mountain
and descending from mountain
·
Matthew’s writings seem
well-constructed. Luke’s is looser and rambling
·
Love of one’s enemies
requires love with mercy as God would give
·
Most all of the Lords
listeners at this time would have the strong ancient background, still in
practice, that one should do harm to one’s enemies and be of service to one’s
friends
I like
Fitzmyer’s new translation of Luke 6:37 that teaches about judging: “Do
not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be
condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and gifts will be
given to you … good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over,
will be poured into the lap of your garment. For the measure you use with
others will be the measure by which return is made to you.”
Tyndale::
Some
Meridian of Time History and Beliefs:
For many
centuries the Jewish nation has been captive under various foreign powers,
currently under the domination of Rome. To listen to Jesus tell now
to “love (by his definition) their enemies and do good to those who
despitefully use you” must have been bitter to listen to.
“The
blind leading the blind.” Many people were taught by leaders who had limited
knowledge of what Jesus was teaching … they did not have much choice or
opportunity to do better.
The named
areas those here came from had substantial Gentile populations, some of whom
would be attending. Jesus’ fame for healing would be of interest to any
sufferer. There was a public belief that to touch Jesus might bring
healing, power, virtue.
A
disciple must not only hear the word … but must act on it. Love is an
active word … it demands action … to not do good is actually to do evil … love
expects no return.
Jesus
tells the poor who suffer unfairly to take comfort … the Lord’s prophets in the
past have been so treated … so is he being treated now by their leaders … blessings
will come.
The
counsel to love one’s enemies was not totally new to Israel…it had its roots in
the Old Testament: Proverbs 25:21; and Exodus 23:4.
We see
references to the “Golden Rule” in these scriptures.
The
challenge “Cast out the speck in your eye” and the rebuttal “Cast out the log
in yours” goes back in antiquity prior to the Meridian of Time.
In “Parallel
New Testament Commentary,” Bethany writes:
It is an
affront to the Lord to call him “Lord” and then do not what he says.
The heart
is the tree and our words and actions are the fruit of that tree.
‘Into
your bosom,’ Or ‘lap.’ In most ancient nation’s men wore loose
garments. When they needed to carry anything they could not carry in their
hands they would fold their robe (as a woman will do to her apron) to make a
pocket or sack in which to carry. (verse 38)
Glenn R.
McGettigan
January
2016
References:
“Jesus
the Christ.” Talmage
“Communicator’s Commentary.” Larson
“The
Gospel According to Luke: A New Translation.” Volume 1. Fitzmyer
“New
Testament Commentaries.” Tyndale
“Complete
Biblical Library.” Tyndale
“Parallel
New Testament Commentary.” Bethany
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