“But woe to you
Who are rich!
You have received
Your consolation.”
Πλὴν οὐαὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς πλουσίοις, ὅτι ἀπέχετε τὴν παράκλησιν ὑμῶν.
Luke indicated that Jesus said the rich people should be cursed (Πλὴν οὐαὶ ὑμῖν τοῖς πλουσίοις), using the second person plural. They already had received their consolation, comfort, or happiness (ὅτι ἀπέχετε τὴν παράκλησιν ὑμῶν). While Matthew had 8 beatitudes about the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the righteous, the merciful, the pure of heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted, Luke only had 4. The blessed or fortunate ones here were the poor, the hungry, the weeping, and the. persecuted. 3 of the 4 of these categories are almost the same, but the hungry could only go with those who hunger for righteousness. Some later 4th century Christian writers, like Ambrose of Milan (337-397), have said that theses 4 beatitudes correspond to the 4 cardinal virtues of temperance, justice, prudence, and fortitude. However, Luke uniquely has these 4 more woes or curses in which he denounced or called out their bad behavior. In this particular case, he challenged or criticized the rich people because they already had their consolation.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 