Luke 6:35
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The core of this verse isn't just about what you give, but why you give. Jesus contrasts our actions with worldly ones, showing that lending expecting nothing back is the key, not just for ethical behavior, but for showing we truly belong to the "Most High" who generously blesses the undeserving.
Jesus has just spoken about the blessings and woes of His kingdom, contrasting the disciples' path with the world's, and now he calls them to radical, counter-cultural love that mirrors God's own kindness. He's urging them to go beyond natural affection and even beyond what sinners do, challenging them to love enemies, do good without expectation of return, and lend generously, because their Heavenly Father is gracious even to the wicked.
Ever wonder why Jesus pushed back so hard against 'helping' people who can help you back? It's about a deeper kind of love.
Jesus is drawing a sharp line between how the world operates and how His followers should. The world sees relationships as transactions – you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.
Why does Jesus link selfless love to being 'sons of the Most High'? It reveals something incredible about God's own character.
The ultimate motivation for this radical generosity isn't just a command, but a reflection of who God is and who we are called to be.
Understand the original words
echthros · Greek Noun
One who is hostile, actively opposing, or standing in contradiction to another; in a biblical context, it refers to those who show animosity toward followers of Christ.
misthos · Greek Noun
A recompense or divine compensation; in this context, it refers to the spiritual blessing or inheritance bestowed by God upon those who obey Him.
huios · Greek Noun
A relational status indicating one who acts like or represents the character of God, participating in His nature through divine adoption and sanctification.
hypsistos · Greek Adjective
A designation for God emphasizing His transcendence, sovereignty, and supreme authority over all creation.
This passage directly echoes Luke 6:35, with Jesus commanding His followers to 'love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,' highlighting the same radical call to selfless love.
Romans 12:14Paul, inspired by Jesus' teachings, reiterates the principle of blessing those who persecute, reinforcing the 'love your enemies' aspect of Luke 6:35 by urging believers to return good for evil.
1 John 3:1This verse explains the 'sons of the Most High' concept in Luke 6:35, revealing that our adoption and our being called children of God is directly linked to our love for others, mirroring God's love for us.
Psalm 145:8-9This Psalm beautifully illustrates the character of God described in Luke 6:35 ('he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil'), showing God's enduring goodness, compassion, and kindness even towards those who do not honor Him.
Luke 10:29-37The Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke directly shows what it means to 'do good' and 'lend, expecting nothing in return' by illustrating selfless compassion towards a stranger in need, even when societal norms might dictate otherwise.
calvinLuke 6:34-35: "And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again."
- If you shall lend to those from whom you hope that you will receive, what kindness will it be in you? for sinners also lend to sinners, that they may receive the like. 35. Lend ye, expecting nothing again, and your reward shall be great.
Matthew 5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee. Though the words of Christ, which are related by Matthew, appe…
pulpitLuke 6:35: "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil."
Verse 35. - And your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest. It has been objected by the enemies of Christianity that, after all, Jesus offered his followers a reward by way of payment to them for their self-sacrificing lives on earth. What, however, is…
The core of this verse isn't just about what you give, but why you give. Jesus contrasts our actions with worldly ones, showing that lending expecting nothing back is the key, not just for ethical behavior, but for showing we truly belong to the "Most High" who generously blesses the undeserving.
Jesus has just spoken about the blessings and woes of His kingdom, contrasting the disciples' path with the world's, and now he calls them to radical, counter-cultural love that mirrors God's own kindness. He's urging them to go beyond natural affection and even beyond what sinners do, challenging them to love enemies, do good without expectation of return, and lend generously, because their Heavenly Father is gracious even to the wicked.
Jesus has just spoken about the blessings and woes of His kingdom, contrasting the disciples' path with the world's, and now he calls them to radical, counter-cultural love that mirrors God's own kindness. He's urging them to go beyond natural affection and even beyond what sinners do, challenging them to love enemies, do good without expectation of return, and lend generously, because their Heavenly Father is gracious even to the wicked.
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Jesus promises a 'great reward' for this selfless love. What is this reward, and is it just a cosmic paycheck?
When Jesus speaks of a 'great reward,' He’s not just talking about a transaction where good deeds earn points for heaven. It's much richer than that.
ponēros · Greek Adjective
A state of moral and spiritual deficiency characterized by malice, wickedness, or active hostility toward that which is holy and good.
chrēstos · Greek Adjective
A quality of grace and gentleness reflecting God's disposition; it describes one who is useful, mild, or benign in their treatment of others.
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." — The core of this verse isn't just about what you give, but why you give. Jesus contrasts our actions with worldly ones, showing that lending expecting nothing back is the key, not just for ethi…
