Luke 6:27-30
“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. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus’ opening phrase, "But I say to you who hear," isn't just a casual introduction; it’s a call to listen with intent. He’s urging us to truly pay attention and let these radical commands sink in, setting the stage for a love that goes far beyond our natural inclinations.
Jesus has just chosen his twelve apostles, a pivotal moment that sets the stage for His ministry. He then descends to a plain, gathering vast crowds, and launches into teaching that lays out the radical nature of His kingdom. This command to love enemies is part of a broader discourse on the distinctive ethics of His followers, challenging conventional wisdom and calling for a love that mirrors God's own expansive mercy.
Jesus begins this revolutionary teaching with a specific phrase: 'But I say to you who hear.' What does it mean to truly hear God's Word?
Jesus is speaking to a crowd, but he singles out those who are actively listening – not just with their ears, but with their hearts and minds, ready to obey. The Greek word for 'hear' here implies more than passive reception; it suggests giving heed, paying attention, and being persuaded. This isn't about simply knowing what Jesus said, but about allowing His words to shape your life and actions.
This call to 'hear' sets the stage for a radical command that goes against our natural inclinations. It’s a challenge to internalize His teaching so deeply that it transforms our relationships, even with those who oppose us.
In a world that naturally retaliates, Jesus issues a command that seems impossible: 'Love your enemies.' How is this possible, and why is it so crucial?
Jesus introduces a stark contrast to the common understanding of relationships. While the Law, at its best, called for loving one's neighbor, some interpretations had sadly led to a spirit of hatred toward enemies. Jesus, however, elevates the standard.
His command to 'love your enemies' and 'do good to those who hate you' isn't a suggestion; it's a core principle of His kingdom. This isn't about condoning wrong or excusing harmful behavior. Instead, it’s a divine mandate to reflect God's own character, who 'makes his sun rise on the evil and on the just, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.' This radical love is meant to be active – demonstrated through kindness and good deeds, even when it’s undeserved.
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
Jesus' teaching to love enemies powerfully contrasted with certain exclusivist trends in post-Exilic Judaism and the sectarian conflicts of the Hasmonean era. It presented a radical, counter-cultural ethic for his followers within the Roman world.
c. 500 BC - 200 BC
Development of Second Temple Judaism
Following the Babylonian Exile, Jewish society became more insular, developing intense religious and nationalistic fervor. This period saw a rise in interpretations of the Law that emphasized separation from Gentiles and a focus on strict adherence to ritual purity.
c. 150 BC - 63 BC
Hasmonean Dynasty and Sectarian Strife
The Hasmonean period brought Jewish self-rule but also intense internal conflict among various religious sects (Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes). This era fostered an environment where religious identity was often defined by opposition to 'outsiders' and perceived enemies.
c. 30 AD - 33 AD— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry in Galilee
Jesus delivered teachings like the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:17-49) in Galilee, a region with a mixed population of Jews and Gentiles. His radical commands about loving enemies directly challenged prevailing sentiments of exclusion and hostility prevalent in some Jewish circles.
c. 45-60 AD
This is Jesus' core teaching on loving enemies, directly paralleling Luke's account and emphasizing praying for those who persecute you.
Romans 12:14Paul echoes Jesus' command, urging believers to 'bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse,' showing how this radical love is meant to be lived out in the early church.
1 Peter 3:9Peter reinforces this teaching by instructing believers not to repay evil for evil or insults for insults, but instead to offer a blessing, understanding that this is how they will inherit a blessing.
Exodus 23:4Even in the Old Testament Law, there was a precedent for kindness to enemies, like returning a lost animal, showing that the principle of love toward adversaries has ancient roots.
Proverbs 25:21This proverb offers a practical outworking of loving an enemy: 'If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,' demonstrating that love often takes tangible action.
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’ opening phrase, "But I say to you who hear," isn't just a casual introduction; it’s a call to listen with intent. He’s urging us to truly pay attention and let these radical commands sink in, setting the stage for a love that goes far beyond our natural inclinations.
Jesus has just chosen his twelve apostles, a pivotal moment that sets the stage for His ministry. He then descends to a plain, gathering vast crowds, and launches into teaching that lays out the radical nature of His kingdom. This command to love enemies is part of a broader discourse on the distinctive ethics of His followers, challenging conventional wisdom and calling for a love that mirrors God's own expansive mercy.
Jesus has just chosen his twelve apostles, a pivotal moment that sets the stage for His ministry. He then descends to a plain, gathering vast crowds, and launches into teaching that lays out the radical nature of His kingdom. This command to love enemies is part of a broader discourse on the distinctive ethics of His followers, challenging conventional wisdom and calling for a love that mirrors God's own expansive mercy.
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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.
himation · Greek Noun
An outer garment or mantle, often of significant value and used as a covering or bed at night. Under biblical law, it was considered essential and was even protected from being kept as a pledge overnight.
chitōna · Greek Noun
An inner garment worn next to the skin, similar to a tunic or shirt. It was considered the most basic necessity of clothing.
Early Spread of Christianity
The apostles and early followers began to spread Jesus' teachings throughout the Roman Empire, facing both internal challenges of applying these new commands and external persecution.
c. 50-60 AD
Paul's Epistles Written
Paul's letters, such as Romans, often addressed how the early Christian communities should live out Jesus' teachings, including the difficult command to love enemies, within a hostile Roman world and diverse cultural contexts.
"“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. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not…" — Jesus’ opening phrase, "But I say to you who hear," isn't just a casual introduction; it’s a call to listen with intent. He’s urging us to truly pay attention and let these radical commands sink in…
