Bible Strands
Luke 6:27
But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his listeners, shifting from a warning about false praise in Luke 6:26 to a direct command. He speaks to those willing to hear him as he outlines ethical conduct.
The words — The imperative ἀγαπᾶτε (agapate) literally means "do love" the ἐχθροὺς (echthrous), translated as "enemies." The conjunction ἀλλ᾽ (all᾽) marks a sharp turn from the preceding warning to this new directive.
The thread — This directive echoes the prohibition against retaliation in 1 Thessalonians 5:15 and the parallel command in Luke 6:35 to love enemies and lend expecting nothing. It also resonates with the warning in Proverbs 24:17 against rejoicing when an enemy falls.
Why it lands — The text demands active goodwill toward active hostility, requiring listeners to act rather than merely feel. It asks readers to replace natural retaliation with deliberate benevolence toward those who oppose them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.
- Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
- Proverbs 24:17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
- Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
- Romans 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody.
- Matthew 5:43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
- Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.
- Exodus 23:4 If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him.
- Mark 4:24 He went on to say, “Pay attention to what you hear. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you, and even more will be added to you.
- Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.