Instruction for the Disciples: Luke’s account of the choosing of the Twelve (6:12–16) is based on Mark 3:13–19, while his summarizing account of Jesus’ healings on the “level place” (6:17–19) is based loosely on Mark 3:7–12. Luke reversed the order of these Marcan units to accommodate the sermon that follows (6:20–49). As it now stands in Luke, Jesus goes up on a mountain (v. 12) to appoint the Twelve, then he descends to a plateau to teach and heal crowds (vv. 17–18), which leads quite naturally into the sermon. (Mark has no equivalent sermon.) The sermon seems to be derived primarily from the sayings source utilized by Luke and Matthew. Thus, we may say that Luke 6:12–49 is based on material taken from Mark and from the sayings source.

6:17–19 This paragraph serves as a transition from th…