“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus addresses those who "hear," not just with their ears, but with a readiness to heed His words. This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine imperative to cultivate a radical love that extends even to those who actively oppose us, reflecting God's own character.
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus has just chosen His twelve apostles and is now addressing a large crowd, including His disciples, on a level place after spending the night in prayer. He's about to lay out the core principles of His kingdom, contrasting them with prevailing worldly and even some religious expectations, starting with radical, counter-cultural commands about how His followers should interact with those who oppose them.
Jesus begins this teaching with a phrase that might seem simple: 'you who hear.' But what does it truly mean to 'hear' him, especially when his words challenge everything we naturally feel?
Jesus uses the phrase "you who hear" not just to identify his audience, but to call for a specific kind of listening – one that leads to obedience.
Listening to Understand
The original language suggests more than just passively receiving sound. It implies paying attention, giving heed, and understanding with the intent to act. Jesus is separating those who merely overhear his words from those who truly engage with them.
The Gospel's Call
This isn't just a one-time address; it's a call to all who will hear his gospel, in every generation. The disposition of the Christian life, Jesus teaches, is one of active love and kindness, even towards those who are undeserving or hostile.
In a world that easily fuels retaliation and resentment, Jesus unleashes a command that sounds impossible: 'Love your enemies.' How could this possibly be the path forward?
Beyond Retaliation
Jesus' command to "love your enemies" directly confronts the natural human tendency to return hate for hate. While the Old Testament contained principles of justice and even some passages that could be (mis)interpreted to justify animosity, Jesus elevates the standard to a radical, active love.
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Love in Action
This love isn't about warm fuzzy feelings towards those who wrong you. It's about actively doing good to those who hate you. This means choosing benevolence over bitterness, generosity over grudges. It's a deliberate, outward action that reflects God's own character.
This kind of selfless love for enemies feels almost supernatural. Where does such a counter-cultural capacity truly come from?
Grounded in God's Love
Jesus' challenging commands are never given without providing the very source and power to fulfill them. The ability to love our enemies doesn't originate within us; it flows from our experience and understanding of God's incredible love for us.
Experiencing Mercy
When we grasp the immensity of God's mercy towards us – His undeserved forgiveness, His relentless grace, His persistent goodness even when we were His enemies – it transforms our hearts. This profound awareness of being loved by God equips us to extend that same kind of love, however imperfectly, to others.
Understand the original words
agapate · Greek Verb
A self-sacrificial, active, and persistent commitment to the well-being of another, regardless of their response or merit. This is the hallmark of the believer's character as reflective of God's own nature.
echthrous · Greek Noun
Those who are hostile, actively opposed to, or working against the interests and righteousness of the believer. Biblically, they are to be the object of the believer's proactive grace.
eulogeite · Greek Verb
To speak well of, to invoke God’s favor upon, or to express a desire for another's spiritual and physical prosperity. It is the direct opposite of cursing.
katarōmenois · Greek Verb
To speak evil, invoke calamity, or use malicious language against someone. It is a sign of spiritual hostility and lack of respect for the image of God in another person.
epēreazontōn · Greek Verb
To treat with violence, insult, or spiteful harassment. It involves the intentional mistreatment of someone, especially for their faith or association with Christ.
Jesus' radical call to 'love your enemies' directly confronts the deeply ingrained 'us vs. them' mentality that had developed in post-exilic Judaism, offering a counter-cultural vision of God's kingdom.
c. 500 BC - 100 BC
Post-Exilic Jewish Sectarianism Develops
Following the Babylonian Exile, various Jewish groups developed distinct interpretations of the Law. Some interpretations led to a heightened sense of separation and, in some cases, hostility towards non-Jews.
c. 1st Century BC
Pharisaic Interpretation of the Law
The Pharisees, a prominent religious group, emphasized strict adherence to the Law. Their interpretations, while aiming for righteousness, sometimes led to a rigid and exclusive approach to religious practice and social interaction.
c. AD 27-30— this verse
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
Jesus travels throughout Galilee, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His message often challenged prevailing religious and social norms, including traditional views on who was considered a neighbor or enemy.
c. AD 30
Sermon on the Plain
Jesus delivers a foundational sermon to his followers, outlining the principles of his kingdom. This teaching, including the command to love enemies, contrasts with more conventional societal expectations.
This passage presents the same teaching from Jesus, highlighting the radical nature of loving enemies and praying for persecutors. It emphasizes that this love mirrors God's own character, who sends rain on the just and unjust.
Romans 12:14Paul echoes Jesus' command here, urging believers to 'Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.' This shows the early church understood and lived out this challenging principle.
Exodus 23:4This Old Testament passage shows that the principle of showing kindness even to enemies wasn't entirely new. It commanded Israelites to help their enemies' lost animals, demonstrating a precedent for active goodwill.
1 Peter 3:9Peter instructs believers not to repay evil with evil or insults with insults, but instead to offer a blessing. This directly aligns with Jesus' teaching to love and do good to those who hate us, transforming conflict into blessing.
Proverbs 25:21This Proverb offers a practical and powerful motivation for loving enemies: 'If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.' This shows the ancient wisdom behind Jesus' command to do good.
barnesLuke 6:27: "But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,"
See Matthew 5:44-45 .
jfbLuke 6:12-49: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."
Lu 6:12-49. The Twelve Apostles Chosen—Gathering Multitudes—Glorious Healing.12, 13. went out—probably from Capernaum.all night in prayer … and when … day, he called, &c.—The work with which the next day began shows what had been the burden of this night's devotions. As He directed His disciples to pray for "laborers" just before sending themselves forth (see on…
Jesus addresses those who "hear," not just with their ears, but with a readiness to heed His words. This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine imperative to cultivate a radical love that extends even to those who actively oppose us, reflecting God's own character.
Jesus has just chosen His twelve apostles and is now addressing a large crowd, including His disciples, on a level place after spending the night in prayer. He's about to lay out the core principles of His kingdom, contrasting them with prevailing worldly and even some religious expectations, starting with radical, counter-cultural commands about how His followers should interact with those who oppose them.
Jesus has just chosen His twelve apostles and is now addressing a large crowd, including His disciples, on a level place after spending the night in prayer. He's about to lay out the core principles of His kingdom, contrasting them with prevailing worldly and even some religious expectations, starting with radical, counter-cultural commands about how His followers should interact with those who oppose them.
"“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you." — Jesus addresses those who "hear," not just with their ears, but with a readiness to heed His words. This isn't a suggestion; it's a divine imperative to cultivate a radical love that extends even t…
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Last reviewed October 2026