And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

LUKE 6:20KJV
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Luke 6:20 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:20 mean?

In Luke 6:20, Jesus tells his disciples who are poor that they are blessed because the kingdom of God belongs to them. His words give people with little a place of honor as he speaks about God’s rule.

Jesus lifts his eyes toward his disciples as he begins to speak. The kingdom of God points to God’s rule as king, and “yours is” presents that kingdom as belonging to the people Jesus addresses.

The Greek behind Luke 6:20

  • “Blessed” — μακάριος (makarios): This word describes someone regarded as fortunate or favored. Here Jesus uses it for people whose poverty might lead others to regard them as unfortunate.
  • “poor” — πτωχός (ptōchos): This word refers to someone who is poor or in need. The direct address “ye poor” gives Jesus’ words a personal force for disciples living with little.

Why Luke 6:20 matters

  • Jesus addresses the poor directly. The words “ye” and “yours” make his statement a declaration to the people before him, rather than a distant comment about poverty.
  • The contrast with wealth becomes clear later in the passage. In Luke 6:24, Jesus says, “woe unto you that are rich,” setting the poor and the rich alongside each other in his teaching.

Where else these words appear

“yours” Greek G5212 · used in 10 verses

  • Luke 16:12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
  • John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.

“up” Greek G1869 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 17:8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.
  • John 4:35 Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
  • Acts 14:11 And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

“poor” Greek G4434 · used in 34 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 7:22 Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.
  • John 13:29 For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast; or, that he should give something to the poor.

“Blessed” Greek G3107 · used in 49 verses

  • Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Luke 7:23 And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
  • Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.