Luke 6

Jesus Ordains and Teaches the Twelve Apostles

Jesus had previously called men to follow Him. Luke 6 records the official calling of twelve Apostles. We also read some of what He taught them as they went out to preach in His name. His counsel to them is similar to what you read in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5–7. Some have called Luke 6:20–49 the Sermon on the Plain.

Other Accounts of What You Read in Luke 6

Luke 6:1–11—Matthew 12:1–21; Mark 2:23–3:12

Luke 6:12–16—Matthew 10:2–4; Mark 3:13–19

Luke 6:17–49—Matthew 5:1–7:29

Understanding the Scriptures

Luke 6

Shewbread (v. 4)The bread displayed in the tabernacle; it represented Jesus Christ

Accusation (v. 7)A charge

Restored whole (v. 10)Healed

Communed (v. 11)Planned or plotted

Vexed (v. 18)Troubled

Reproach (v. 22)Blame

Consolation (v. 24)Comfort

Mote (v. 41)A small speck or a piece of straw

Beam (v. 41)Wooden plank; considerably larger than a mote

Corrupt (v. 43)Tree that bears no fruit

Beat vehemently (v. 49)Came with violent force

Luke 6:12–16—The Calling of Apostles

Elder David B. Haight, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said, “Each Apostle is ordained under the direction of the President of the Church, who holds the keys of all of the kingdom of God. He gives to each new Apostle the priesthood authority necessary for him to hold every position in the Church. We declare that the authority to administer in the name of God is operative in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. We further testify that this power or commission was conferred on the first officers of the Church by ordination under the hands of those who held the same power in earlier dispensations. Joseph Smith received the keys of the apostleship from Peter, James, and John, the same who held the authority of the apostleship in the New Testament times. This authority has come down from the Prophet Joseph Smith to [the current prophet]” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1994, 17–18; or Ensign, Nov. 1994, 15; see also Articles of Faith 1:5).

Studying the Scriptures

Do three of the following activities (A–D) as you study Luke 6.

1. Choosing the Twelve Apostles

   Consider what you have read in Luke 5:1–6:16 and respond to the following about the calling of the Twelve Apostles:

   1. In what ways did Jesus test some of the men whom He called as Apostles?

      Elder Harold B. Lee, then a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, spoke about such tests of loyalty: “It is my conviction that every man who will be called to a high place in this Church will have to pass these tests not devised by human hands, by which our Father numbers them as a united group of leaders willing to follow the prophets of the Living God and be loyal and true as witnesses and exemplars of the truths they teach” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1950, 101).

   2. What did the men have to know about Jesus before their calling?

   3. What might be the significance of the event in Luke 6:12 occurring before the events in verses 13–16?

2. Who Are the Twelve Apostles?

   List in your notebook the names of the men who currently serve in the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

3. List the Main Ideas

   In Luke 6:17–26 Jesus teaches His disciples about blessings and cursings (woes). Make a chart in your notebook similar to the one below, and list the blessings and woes. Use only key words in your list. When you have finished, select one item from your list and explain what application it has today.

   Blessings	Woes
   (List)	(List)

4. You Reap What You Sow

   Luke 6:43–49 uses two examples to teach the principle that you can only harvest what you plant (see Galatians 6:7). In other words, you do not harvest corn if you plant peas. Draw a picture of one of the Savior’s examples from either Luke 6:43–47 or 48–49. Explain why that example is effective.

   From your reading of Luke 6:27–42, list three principles the Savior taught that we should sow (practice in our lives) and what fruit (blessings) are promised for each.