27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. 29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. 30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. 31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. (Luke 6:27-36 KJV)
Love Your Enemies
These verses align with Matthew 5:38-48. Jesus says, “I say to you who hear” (Luke 6:27), addressing all who listen, not just His disciples. His words are universally relevant, and those who listen carefully will find His teaching valuable.
Christ teaches us to deal justly with others (Luke 6:31): “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” This sums up loving your neighbor as yourself. We should treat others as we would reasonably expect to be treated if we were in their situation, whether in justice or in compassion.
We must also be generous in giving to those in need (Luke 6:30): “Give to everyone who asks you.” This refers to those who truly lack the necessities of life and whom we are able to help from our surplus. Christ calls His followers to be ready to share and to go beyond their means in times of extraordinary need.
We should be forgiving to those who wrong us. We are not to be harsh or demanding when our rights are denied. If someone takes your cloak, don’t stop him from taking your tunic as well (Luke 6:29). If someone takes your goods, do not demand them back. If someone becomes insolvent or borrows without repaying, don’t seek legal vengeance. Rather, bear it patiently, as taught in Matthew 18:28. If someone hits you on one cheek, offer the other also. That is, endure rather than retaliate, and entrust the matter to God, who says, “Vengeance is mine” (Romans 12:19; Psalm 3:7).
Moreover, Jesus commands us to do good to those who do evil to us. This is a key teaching in these verses, showing the distinctiveness and perfection of His way. We must not only love our enemies and wish them well, but also do them good. If they curse or slander us, we should respond with blessings and prayer (Luke 6:28). We are to show, through our actions, that we harbor no resentment or desire for revenge.
Jesus repeats this in Luke 6:35: “Love your enemies, do good to them.” Loving those who love us is ordinary—even sinners do that (Luke 6:32). If we only do good to those who do good to us, we act on basic social customs, not Christlike love (Luke 6:33). Our calling is to exceed this, to do what sinners do not do—to return good for evil. This reflects the grace and character of God.
We are also to show kindness even when we expect nothing in return (Luke 6:35): “Lend, expecting nothing in return.” This especially applies to helping the poor—lending without expecting repayment, especially when it’s unlikely they can repay. Moses’ law in Deuteronomy 15:7-10 taught this same principle: lend to a poor brother in need, even if the year of release is near.
There are two reasons for this kind of generosity. First, it will benefit us in eternity: “Your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35). What we give or lose for Christ’s sake will be more than repaid in the life to come—“Come, you blessed, inherit the kingdom.” Second, it reflects our Father in heaven and brings us honor. “You will be children of the Most High,” showing yourselves to be like Him, for He is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked.
Jesus concludes: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). This expands on Matthew 5:48, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Imitate God’s mercy, especially to those who wrong us. Though we fall far short, God accepts our efforts graciously. Charity, or merciful love, is called the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:14). This should compel us to be merciful, not only because God is merciful to others, but because He has been merciful to us, despite our own ingratitude and sin. It is by His mercy that we are not consumed.