Matthew 5:44

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples during the Sermon on the Mount, directly responding to the traditional teaching cited in Matthew 5:43. He positions his own command as the authoritative standard for his followers.

The words — The Greek imperative ἀγαπᾶτε (agapate) commands active, deliberate love toward τοὺς ἐχθροὺς (tous echthrous), "the enemies." This verb denotes a committed action directed at hostile parties rather than an internal feeling.

The thread — This directive runs through Luke 6:27, which pairs loving enemies with doing good, and reappears in the epistles as a command to bless rather than curse those who persecute (Romans 12:14; 1 Peter 3:9).

Why it lands — The text requires readers to actively love and pray for hostile opponents instead of retaliating. It frames this conduct as the observable marker of aligning with the Father's impartial mercy.

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, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Cross-references

Romans 12:14 Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.
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.
Luke 6:27 But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Proverbs 25:21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
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.
1 Peter 2:23 When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
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.
Luke 6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
1 Corinthians 4:12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;