The Sermon on the Plain

The Sermon on the Plain is Luke's account of a major discourse of Jesus (Luke 6:20–49) that parallels Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. It contains Luke's version of the Beatitudes — addressed in the second person to the poor, the hungry, and the persecuted — along with the love of enemies, the golden rule, and the parable of the two builders (CCC 1716).

Luke's Beatitudes

Where Matthew's Beatitudes are eight in number and speak of the "poor in spirit," Luke gives four Beatitudes followed by four corresponding woes: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you... because of the Son of Man" (Luke 6:20–22). The woes ("Woe to you who are rich...") make explicit the radical reversal of the Kingdom (CCC 1716).

Love of Enemies

The Sermon on the Plain contains Jesus's most challenging moral command: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27–28). This command transcends natural human capacity — it is possible only through the love of God poured into the heart by the Holy Spirit (CCC 1825).

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Sermon on the Mount and the Sermon on the Plain the same event? Many scholars believe they are parallel accounts of the same or similar teaching given at different times. Matthew places it on a mountain; Luke on a plain. Both contain the core teachings of Jesus on the ethics of the Kingdom. The Church reads both as authentic records of Jesus's teaching (CCC 1716).