Bible Strands
Luke 6:28
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples and all who will listen in the Sermon on the Plain, issuing a series of commands about how to treat enemies.
The words — καταρωμὲνοι (katarōmenous) is a present participle of a strong verb meaning "to curse" or "to declare accursed," marking the enmity as ongoing and deliberate. προσεύχεσθε (proseuchesthe) is a present imperative — a direct command to pray, not a suggestion.
The thread — Paul repeats the command in Romans 12:14 ("Bless those who persecute you") and 1 Peter 3:9 ("Do not repay evil with evil... but with blessing"), and 1 Corinthians 4:12 records Paul enacting it.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to perform an active, voluntary act of goodwill toward people who are actively working against them. The imperative grammar leaves no room for passive tolerance; it demands deliberate action.
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
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
- Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
- 1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
- 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.
- James 3:10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
- Luke 6:27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
- Acts 7:60 Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- Ezekiel 36:5 Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Surely in My burning zeal I have spoken against the rest of the nations, and against all Edom, who took My land as their own possession with wholehearted joy and utter contempt, so that its pastureland became plunder.
- 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.