The gospel for this coming Sunday, the 6th Sunday, Year C is St. Luke’s version of the Matthean “Sermon on the Mount”, referred to as the Sermon on the Plain. Lest one presume that they are simply copies of one another, it should be noted that there are differences between the Sermons. They share significant overlap as both sermons convey Jesus’ teachings on the Kingdom of God and ethics. Yet, there are key differences. For example, in Matthew the Sermon on the Mount takes place “on the mountain”  (Matthew 5:1) while in Luke’s narrative the sermon is delivered “on a stretch of level ground” (which does not preclude that the level ground is in a mountainous region). 

Green [262] notes: “More conspicuous within the Lukan narrative, though, is how these topographical notations (“he went out to the mountain … he came down”—vv 12, 17) build a bridge between Jesus’ prayer and his ministry. The purpose for his retreat to the mountain was explicitly “to pray,” and the outcome of his vigil is twofold: he discerns God’s will regarding the selection of apostles and he is empowered for divine service. That is, in a way reminiscent of 3:21–22 and 5:16–17, Jesus’ prayer in 6:12 solidifies his relationship to God and strengthens him for ministry.”

Themes of the Sermons

Topological settings aside, the mountain imagery echoes Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai, highlighting Jesus as a new lawgiver which fits Matthew’s larger theme of presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of Jewish prophecy, with a strong connection to the Torah. In Luke, the setting on “level ground” underscores Jesus’ accessibility and connection to the people and highlights Jesus’ concern for the marginalized and oppressed, aligning with Luke’s broader theme of social justice.

Matthew’s sermon is longer, spanning three chapters. It includes a wide array of teachings, such as the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and numerous moral and ethical instructions. Luke’s sermon is shorter, with a condensed version of the Beatitudes and fewer teachings overall.

The Beatitudes in Matthew contains nine blessings (e.g., “Blessed are the poor in spirit…”), focusing on spiritual qualities and the Kingdom of Heaven. In Luke, the Beatitudes feature four blessings (e.g., “Blessed are you who are poor…”) and contrast them with four corresponding woes (e.g., “Woe to you who are rich...”), emphasizing social and economic realities.  These give you some insight about each author’s tone and emphasis. Matthew is more spiritual and universal in tone, addressing inner righteousness, moral behavior, and the fulfillment of the Law. While Luke’s tone is more practical and focused on social justice, highlighting the reversal of fortunes.

The difference is tone might be influenced by the audience. In Matthew the Sermon seems directed toward disciples and emphasizes their role as a distinct, holy community (e.g., “You are the light of the world“). In Luke there seem to be three groups: Jesus and those with him (i.e., apostles and the disciples from which the apostles were chosen, 6:13); a considerable crowd of disciples and people (including gentile people from the coast of Tyre and Sidon); and, within this latter group, “those who were tormented by unclean spirits.” (v.18)  With a broader audience implied,  there is a strong emphasis on addressing immediate social concerns. At the same time, in Matthew, Jesus is reinterpreting the Law while in Luke Jesus focuses more on the core message of love for enemies, non-retaliation, and “doing unto others…”

In Luke 5 and 6, there are several controversy stories in which Jesus confronts and is confronted by scribes and Pharisees. They appear to be absent from the “great crowd.”

---

Image credit: Sermon on the Mount | Carl Block, 1887 | Museum of Natural History at Frederlksborg Castle – Hillerod, Denmark | PD-US