Bible Strands
Luke 6:30
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his followers during the Sermon on the Plain, defining the practical limits of personal rights while outlining a standard of non-retaliation. He speaks directly to those committing to his teaching as he transitions from physical offenses to material demands.
The words — The Greek phrase παντὶ αἰτοῦντί σε δίδου (panti aitounti se didou) literally commands "to everyone asking you give." The preposition ἀπό (apo) in the second clause identifies the source from whom something is taken, marking the boundary of the instruction.
The thread — The text's command to provide freely aligns with Deuteronomy 15:7 and Acts 20:35, both of which direct believers to support the poor and weak. It stands near Psalm 41:1, which ties active care for the needy to divine rescue.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to forgo reclaiming stolen property or retaliating against those who make demands. It asks for a disciplined refusal to enforce personal ownership, prioritizing provision over restitution.
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
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
- Acts 20:35 In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- Psalms 41:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. Blessed is the one who cares for the poor; the LORD will deliver him in the day of trouble.
- Isaiah 58:7 Isn’t it to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your home, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
- Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
- 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.
- Proverbs 21:26 All day long he covets more, but the righteous give without restraint.
- Matthew 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
- Luke 18:22 On hearing this, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing: Sell everything you own and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”