Luke 6:36
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Luke 6:36
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
While the verse calls us to imitate God's mercy, the key is recognizing that the Greek word used implies actively becoming or proving ourselves merciful. This isn't just a passive state; it's about actively demonstrating and developing a merciful character, just as our Father does, even toward the undeserving.
Jesus has just exhorted his followers to love their enemies and be generous without expecting anything in return, explaining that this is how they can truly be children of God. This verse serves as the concluding call to action for this teaching, urging them to embody the merciful character of their heavenly Father.
Why does Jesus call us to be merciful? It's not just a nice suggestion, but a reflection of the very core of God's being.
Jesus uses the word 'merciful' here, which carries a deep sense of compassion and kindness, especially towards those who are suffering or in need. It's about acting with tender-heartedness.
Think about it: God's mercy isn't earned or deserved. He pours it out on everyone, 'making his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sending rain on the just and on the unjust.' This incredible, undeserved kindness is the benchmark Jesus sets for us. It's the ultimate divine attribute, the very essence of who He is.
We're called to imitate God, but how can flawed humans possibly reflect the perfect character of the Almighty?
Jesus’ command isn't about achieving God’s perfection in every way, but about reflecting His moral attributes, particularly mercy. He isn't asking us to judge or punish as God does, but to embody His compassionate nature.
This isn't about a suggestion or an optional extra; it's a profound directive. By choosing to be merciful, we demonstrate that we are truly God's children. It's a radical call that challenges our natural inclinations for retaliation or self-interest. It means actively choosing to extend grace and kindness, mirroring the Father whose love extends even to the unthankful and the evil.
Understand the original words
oiktirmōn · Greek Adjective
Compassion or pity in action, specifically reflecting God's kindness toward those who are undeserving or in misery. It involves a deep emotional connection that results in active help or pardon.
This passage is a parallel in Matthew's Gospel, where Jesus calls his followers to be 'perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.' While Luke emphasizes mercy and Matthew perfection, both are pointing to the same divine ideal for believers – reflecting God's character in their actions.
1 John 4:7-8These verses directly link love and God's very nature, stating, 'Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.' This reinforces the idea that our capacity for mercy flows from our relationship with a merciful God.
James 5:11James describes God as 'very compassionate and merciful,' echoing the sentiment of Luke 6:36. This shows how the early church understood God's character and the expectation for believers to embody His merciful nature.
Colossians 3:12Paul urges believers to 'put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,' directly aligning with the call to be merciful. This passage shows how mercy is a core aspect of the 'new self' that Christians are called to live out.
Luke 6:31This verse, immediately preceding the one you provided, states 'Do to others as you would have them do to you.' This 'Golden Rule' is a practical outworking of the command to be merciful, encouraging us to extend the same grace we desire for ourselves.
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 6:36: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."
(36) Be ye therefore merciful. —The form of the sentence is the same as that of Matthew 5:48 , but “merciful” takes the place of “perfect,” as being the noblest of the divine attributes, in which all others reach their completeness. The well-known passage in Shakespeare on the “quality of mercy,” is, perhaps, the best comment on this verse ( Merchant of Venice, iv. 1).
While the verse calls us to imitate God's mercy, the key is recognizing that the Greek word used implies actively becoming or proving ourselves merciful. This isn't just a passive state; it's about actively demonstrating and developing a merciful character, just as our Father does, even toward the undeserving.
Jesus has just exhorted his followers to love their enemies and be generous without expecting anything in return, explaining that this is how they can truly be children of God. This verse serves as the concluding call to action for this teaching, urging them to embody the merciful character of their heavenly Father.
Jesus has just exhorted his followers to love their enemies and be generous without expecting anything in return, explaining that this is how they can truly be children of God. This verse serves as the concluding call to action for this teaching, urging them to embody the merciful character of their heavenly Father.
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"Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." — While the verse calls us to imitate God's mercy, the key is recognizing that the Greek word used implies actively becoming or proving ourselves merciful. This isn't just a passive state; it's abo…