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)
The key here isn't just about lending money, but about a radical generosity that expects nothing in return. This isn't about getting paid back; it's about mirroring the Father's own boundless kindness to those who don't deserve it, showing that our love isn't conditional or transactional like the world's.
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)
Jesus has just finished selecting the twelve apostles and is now addressing a large crowd. He's teaching them about the radical nature of God's kingdom, contrasting it with the common practices of love and generosity that are often driven by expectation of return or reciprocity. This teaching unfolds as part of the Sermon on the Plain, which focuses on how His followers should live in light of God's grace.
Ever feel like relationships or actions are just a series of exchanges? Jesus challenges that idea head-on.
Jesus contrasts the normal way the world operates with God's way. In the world, we often do favors for people we expect to do favors back. Calvin points out that even 'sinners' (non-believers) operate this way – they lend to those they expect to repay. This is just 'carnal friendship' or a 'mercenary regard.'
But Jesus calls us higher. When we love our enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return, we're stepping out of this cycle. It's not about being a 'prodigal' and wasting resources, but about performing acts of kindness that aren't driven by personal gain. This is 'disinterested beneficence' – helping others purely because they have a need, not because of what we might get back.
Why does Jesus link radical generosity to becoming like God? It's about reflecting His very character.
Jesus doesn't just tell us to be generous; he tells us why. When we love our enemies and give without expecting return, we are acting like 'sons of the Most High.' How? Because God Himself acts this way!
He is 'kind to the ungrateful and the evil.' Think about it: God pours out rain, sunshine, and countless blessings on everyone, regardless of whether they thank Him or obey Him. He continues to offer grace and goodness even to those who actively rebel against Him.
By mirroring this selfless, unconditional kindness, we reveal our true spiritual family resemblance. Our generosity, when it mirrors God's, isn't just a good deed; it's an act of worship and a demonstration of our adoption into His family.
Ask a follow-up
Jesus promises a 'great reward.' But what kind of reward is it, and who is it for?
When Jesus says 'your reward will be great,' it's easy to think of it as a cosmic paycheck for good behavior. But the context, and the insights from scholars like Pulpit and Bengel, point to something much richer.
This reward isn't just about getting something back from people. It's not even just about a future payout from God. It's about experiencing a deeper connection with God now. It's about participating in His divine life, His love, and His ongoing work of blessing.
Calvin suggests that this kind of selfless giving, untainted by selfish motives, is what truly counts 'in the sight of God' as a testimony of charity. The reward is the 'greatness' of this truly charitable act itself, and the deep satisfaction and spiritual richness that comes from reflecting God's own boundless generosity. As Pulpit notes, it’s a 'hope of participation in that eternal work of his which will go from blessing to blessing.'
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.
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.
This passage directly parallels Jesus' teaching on generosity, encouraging giving to those who ask, which echoes the selfless giving commanded in Luke 6:35.
Romans 12:14Paul's exhortation to 'bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse' directly supports the core idea of loving enemies and doing good, as found in Luke 6:35.
1 Peter 2:3This verse speaks of God's kindness to those who are ungrateful and evil, serving as the perfect example and motivation for believers to act with similar selfless love and generosity as commanded in Luke 6:35.
1 John 3:1The concept of being called 'sons of the Most High' is deeply connected to reflecting God's nature; this passage highlights that God's children are those who are loved by God, mirroring the Father's love in Luke 6:35.
Colossians 3:13This passage calls believers to bear with one another and forgive as the Lord has forgiven them, which is a foundational aspect of the selfless love and lending without expectation of return taught in Luke 6:35.
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 key here isn't just about lending money, but about a radical generosity that expects nothing in return. This isn't about getting paid back; it's about mirroring the Father's own boundless kindness to those who don't deserve it, showing that our love isn't conditional or transactional like the world's.
Jesus has just finished selecting the twelve apostles and is now addressing a large crowd. He's teaching them about the radical nature of God's kingdom, contrasting it with the common practices of love and generosity that are often driven by expectation of return or reciprocity. This teaching unfolds as part of the Sermon on the Plain, which focuses on how His followers should live in light of God's grace.
Jesus has just finished selecting the twelve apostles and is now addressing a large crowd. He's teaching them about the radical nature of God's kingdom, contrasting it with the common practices of love and generosity that are often driven by expectation of return or reciprocity. This teaching unfolds as part of the Sermon on the Plain, which focuses on how His followers should live in light of God's grace.
"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 key here isn't just about lending money, but about a radical generosity that expects nothing in return. This isn't about getting paid back; it's about mirroring the Father's own boundless kindn…
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Last reviewed October 2026