And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This isn't just about what you want others to do, but about understanding the basis of that desire—it's rooted in an innate sense of fairness that God has placed in our hearts, reflecting His own just character. Therefore, Jesus is challenging us to see that this principle isn't just a suggestion, but a divine blueprint for how we're meant to live.
And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a night spent in prayer preparing to appoint his disciples, Jesus descends from the mountain and delivers a powerful teaching to the crowds. This section includes challenging commands like loving enemies and turning the other cheek, culminating in the foundational principle of treating others as you wish to be treated, serving as a summary of righteous living.
Ever notice how easy it is to know what's fair when it's happening to you? But what about when it's someone else?
Jesus nails it here: the core of living justly and loving others is simple empathy.
Self-Interest vs. Other-Interest
When it comes to our own needs, we're experts at knowing what we deserve and what's fair. We instinctively understand how we want to be treated – with kindness, respect, and fairness.
The Universal Standard
This verse, often called the 'Golden Rule,' flips the script. It says to take that same clear understanding of your own desires and apply it outwards. If you want people to be generous with you, be generous. If you want forgiveness, offer it. It's about extending the same grace you crave to others.
This isn't just about avoiding harm; it's about actively doing for others what you'd want done for you. It's a radical call to see others as ourselves.
Jesus connects this simple rule to the deepest commands of Scripture. What's the big picture here?
This isn't just a nice ethical suggestion; Jesus presents it as the very essence of God's law regarding how we treat each other.
Fulfilling the Law
Commentators point out that Jesus is saying this single principle encapsulates the heart of what the Law and the Prophets taught about human relationships. It's the practical outworking of loving your neighbor as yourself.
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Beyond Superficiality
The danger, as some scholars note, is that we're great at demanding fairness for ourselves but terrible at applying that same standard to others. We make excuses for our own behavior while holding others to a strict account.
This rule cuts through all that. It reminds us that our own desires for good treatment are the blueprint for how we should treat everyone else, regardless of their behavior towards us.
Want to know what it looks like to be a child of God? Jesus gives us a clue right here.
Jesus doesn't just offer ethical advice; he points to a way of life that reveals our spiritual identity.
Reflecting the Father
By treating others as we wish to be treated, especially when it's difficult, we begin to mirror the character of our heavenly Father. He is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked, sending the sun and rain on everyone.
More Than Advice
This isn't presented as optional counsel for super-spiritual folks. The commentary suggests that Jesus frames this as a command, a mark of true discipleship. To intentionally not live by this rule is to reject the very family resemblance God desires for us.
It's through this active, empathetic kindness that we demonstrate our adoption into God's family.
This passage is the parallel account in Matthew's Gospel, stating the same principle and calling it the summary of the Law and the Prophets.
Leviticus 19:18This verse commands loving your neighbor as yourself, which is the foundational principle Jesus builds upon with the Golden Rule.
Galatians 5:14Paul echoes Jesus' teaching by stating that the entire Law is fulfilled in one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' directly relating to the spirit of Luke 6:31.
Philippians 2:3-4This passage encourages believers to consider others better than themselves and to look out for their interests, demonstrating the practical outworking of the Golden Rule.
1 Peter 3:8-9Peter directly applies this principle, urging believers not to repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but to offer a blessing, reflecting the proactive love commanded by Jesus.
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…
ellicottLuke 6:31: "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise."
(31) As ye would that men should do to you . . . —See Note on Matthew 7:12 . The very different arrangement of the precepts in the two discourses is obviously an argument against their identity.
This isn't just about what you want others to do, but about understanding the basis of that desire—it's rooted in an innate sense of fairness that God has placed in our hearts, reflecting His own just character. Therefore, Jesus is challenging us to see that this principle isn't just a suggestion, but a divine blueprint for how we're meant to live.
After a night spent in prayer preparing to appoint his disciples, Jesus descends from the mountain and delivers a powerful teaching to the crowds. This section includes challenging commands like loving enemies and turning the other cheek, culminating in the foundational principle of treating others as you wish to be treated, serving as a summary of righteous living.
After a night spent in prayer preparing to appoint his disciples, Jesus descends from the mountain and delivers a powerful teaching to the crowds. This section includes challenging commands like loving enemies and turning the other cheek, culminating in the foundational principle of treating others as you wish to be treated, serving as a summary of righteous living.
"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them." — This isn't just about what you want others to do, but about understanding the basis of that desire—it's rooted in an innate sense of fairness that God has placed in our hearts, reflecting His own…
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Last reviewed October 2026