Luke 6:21

Luke 6:21, in plain English

He continued: 'Blessed are you who are hungry now — you'll be filled. Blessed are you who weep now — you will laugh.' Your suffering isn't the end of the story.

Why it's here

Jesus is speaking to real hunger and real tears. He promises that the pain you feel now is temporary, and joy is coming.

Who's speaking

Jesus pronounces blessing on those experiencing hunger and grief.

Where it sits in the story

If you're in a season of hunger or tears, Jesus sees you and says: this isn't forever. A day is coming when your emptiness will be filled and your sorrow will become laughter.

The scholarly reading

Two additional beatitudes: those hungering (peinōntes) now will be satisfied (chortasthēsesthe), and those weeping (klaiontes) now will laugh (gelasete). The eschatological reversal is temporal — 'now' versus future fulfillment.

Language and setting

Luke's emphasis on present suffering yielding to future consolation reflects his particular concern for social justice and the concrete circumstances of his audience.

Voice

Jesus continues the Beatitudes, addressing those who are hungry and weeping.

Significance

These beatitudes promise eschatological reversal: present hunger will give way to satisfaction, and present grief will transform into laughter. The kingdom inverts current social conditions.

19The entire crowd was trying to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.

20Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

21Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

22Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For their fathers treated the prophets in the same way.

Read all of Luke 6 — Blessed are the poor; woe to the rich. Jesus delivers his version of the great sermon and demands a love so radical it includes your enemies.