Bible Strands
Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his listeners, positioning the command directly between instructions to give freely to those who ask in Luke 6:30 and to reject reciprocal affection in Luke 6:32.
The words — The Greek verb θέλετε (thelete) means "you desire," paired with ποιῶσιν (poiōsin) "they may perform," framing the directive around intentional treatment. καθὼς (kathōs) "even as" establishes the comparative standard for this action.
The thread — This formulation appears in Matthew 7:12 as a summary of the Law and the Prophets, while Galatians 5:14 and Matthew 22:39 echo its underlying principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself.
Why it lands — The text demands that a reader measure every action toward another by the treatment they themselves wish to receive. It requires proactive generosity and impartial conduct rather than conditional or reciprocal behavior.
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
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Cross-references
- Matthew 7:12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.
- Galatians 5:14 The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
- Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
- James 2:8 If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.