Luke 6 21

Luke 6:21 kjv

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

Luke 6:21 nkjv

Blessed are you who hunger now, For you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, For you shall laugh.

Luke 6:21 niv

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Luke 6:21 esv

"Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

Luke 6:21 nlt

God blesses you who are hungry now,
for you will be satisfied.
God blesses you who weep now,
for in due time you will laugh.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 21 Meaning

Luke 6:21 proclaims a divine blessing upon those experiencing present suffering in the form of hunger and sorrow. It asserts that their current deprivation will be reversed into future satisfaction and their tears into future joy, a direct promise from Jesus Christ within the context of His Kingdom teaching. This verse highlights a key aspect of discipleship: a present identification with suffering that precedes a future, promised eschatological vindication and blessing by God.

Luke 6 21 Context

Luke 6:21 is part of Jesus' teaching known as the "Sermon on the Level Place" (Lk 6:17-49). This discourse occurs after Jesus chooses the twelve apostles and heals many people. While similar to Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount," Luke's version features differences, particularly in its beatitudes and corresponding woes. Luke's beatitudes are directed at the present physical and social realities of those who follow Him – the poor, the hungry, those who weep, and those hated for Christ's sake. They are more immediately linked to physical deprivation and suffering than Matthew's more spiritualized interpretations ("poor in spirit," "hunger and thirst for righteousness"). Historically, these words would resonate strongly with an audience familiar with the Roman occupation, economic hardship, and spiritual longing for God's redemptive work. Jesus is presenting a counter-cultural reality, where earthly disadvantage and suffering for righteousness' sake are pathways to ultimate blessedness in God's Kingdom, directly challenging any contemporary beliefs that linked material prosperity solely with divine favor. The subsequent "woes" in Luke 6:24-26 ("Woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation!") further clarify the profound reversal motif being taught.

Luke 6 21 Word analysis

• Blessed (μακάριοι - makarioi):
  • Signifies a state of divine favor, profound well-being, and inner contentment that is independent of outward circumstances. It's more than mere "happiness," which is fleeting; makarios points to a deep spiritual blessedness from God.
  • Indicates a favorable relationship with God and enjoyment of His favor.
  • This is not a command but a declaration of the true, paradoxical nature of divine favor in the Kingdom of God.
• are you:
  • Refers to the disciples and those in the crowd who truly embody the characteristics Jesus describes, particularly those suffering in the "now." It's a direct, personal address.
• who hunger (πεινῶντες - peinōntes):
  • Literally means "those who are hungry." In Luke's context, it can strongly refer to actual physical deprivation.
  • However, within the broader biblical context, it extends to a profound spiritual yearning for God, His righteousness, His presence, and His Word, similar to the "hunger and thirst for righteousness" in Mt 5:6. This encompasses a desire for divine truth, justice, and the coming of God's Kingdom.
• now (νῦν - nyn):
  • A crucial temporal adverb emphasizing the present reality of the suffering. It highlights the contrast between the current state of hunger and the future satisfaction.
  • Underscores the paradox that present suffering is connected to future blessing, as opposed to immediate gratification.
• for you shall be satisfied (χορτασθήσεσθε - chortasthēsesche):
  • Literally "you will be filled to the full" or "you will be sated." This term originally applied to feeding livestock until full, conveying a sense of abundant and complete satisfaction.
  • It points to a future, guaranteed fulfillment by God's hand. This satisfaction can be both physical (divine provision) and, more profoundly, spiritual and eternal (presence with God, abundance in His Kingdom).
• who weep (κλαίοντες - klaiōntes):
  • Refers to those who are expressing deep sorrow, grief, or mourning, often with audible sounds and tears.
  • This can stem from the suffering endured by disciples for their faith, repentance for sin, or genuine sorrow over the state of the world in rebellion against God.
• for you shall laugh (γελάσετε - gelasete):
  • Literally "you will laugh" or "you will rejoice." It indicates an outward expression of profound joy, mirth, and celebration.
  • This laughter represents complete comfort, relief, and triumphant joy, stemming from the removal of all cause for sorrow and the ushering in of God's eternal Kingdom.
  • It's a clear reversal of the present condition of weeping, illustrating divine vindication and eternal comfort.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied":
  • This pairing connects present physical or spiritual deprivation with a future, complete, divine provision. It champions dependence on God, rather than self-sufficiency, as the pathway to ultimate fulfillment. The blessing is not for the suffering itself, but for the one enduring it with a longing for God and His righteousness.
• "Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh":
  • This phrase contrasts current sorrow, grief, or mourning—which may arise from hardship, persecution, or repentance—with a future, unbridled joy. It highlights that the suffering endured for Christ's sake, or even as a consequence of living in a fallen world while trusting in God, will be eternally reversed by divine comfort and celebration in the coming Kingdom. This promises a true and ultimate joy that worldly amusements cannot provide.

Luke 6 21 Bonus section

• Eschatological Reversal: This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of "reversal" that permeates Jesus' teaching, particularly prominent in Luke's Gospel. The values of God's Kingdom fundamentally oppose the values of the world. Those who are disadvantaged, mourning, or lacking "now" are precisely the ones destined for divine favor and abundance in the age to come, in stark contrast to those who have found their comfort and satisfaction in the present worldly system.
• Authenticity of Discipleship: True discipleship, according to this beatitude, involves a willingness to experience lack and sorrow in this life, rather than pursuing immediate worldly gratification. This distinguishes genuine followers of Christ from those seeking merely temporal benefits or prosperity.
• Prophetic Echoes: The verse echoes Old Testament prophecies where God comforts His people after affliction (e.g., Isaiah 61:1-3, Jeremiah 31:13), but grounds them in the person and promises of Jesus. The fulfillment is not just restoration to land but participation in the eternal, spiritual Kingdom.

Luke 6 21 Commentary

Luke 6:21 offers a profound counter-cultural declaration by Jesus, promising ultimate blessedness to those who experience present hardship, specifically hunger and sorrow. This promise is rooted in God's character and the future reality of His Kingdom. The "now" emphasizes that true blessedness is not necessarily found in immediate worldly prosperity or comfort but is often reserved for those who are struggling in the present for righteous reasons or as a consequence of a fallen world, trusting in God's future vindication. It encourages believers to look beyond immediate circumstances to the eschatological hope Christ offers. This promise ensures that all legitimate longing for God, spiritual hunger for His truth and presence, and heartfelt grief over sin or the world's condition will be met with abundant, divine satisfaction and joy. It is a powerful affirmation that God is near to the brokenhearted and will eventually wipe away every tear. Practically, this verse calls believers to empathy for the marginalized, to endure hardship with hope, and to mourn genuinely over sin, knowing that a divine reversal awaits.