Luke 6 27

Luke 6:27 kjv

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Luke 6:27 nkjv

"But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:27 niv

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:27 esv

"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

Luke 6:27 nlt

"But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 27 Meaning

Luke 6:27 commands Christ's followers to extend a radical, self-sacrificial love—agape—towards those who oppose or act hostilely towards them. This divine standard calls not for mere passive acceptance, but for actively doing good and seeking the well-being of one's adversaries, challenging natural human inclinations for retaliation or self-preservation. It is a foundational ethic of the Kingdom of God, distinguishing disciples by their adherence to Christ's own example of unconditional love.

Luke 6 27 Context

Luke 6:27 is part of Jesus' teaching often called the "Sermon on the Plain" (Luke 6:17-49). This discourse closely parallels Matthew's "Sermon on the Mount" (Matt 5-7) but is presented to a broader audience on a level plain, emphasizing practical application to daily life. It immediately follows the Beatitudes and Woes (Luke 6:20-26), which radically re-orient traditional understanding of blessing and suffering. The command to love enemies is the cornerstone of the ethical demands Jesus places on His followers, building upon the principles that true blessedness lies in humility, mercy, and persecution for righteousness' sake.

Historically, the Jewish understanding of "neighbor" primarily encompassed fellow Israelites or those who adhered to the covenant. While the Old Testament commanded care for the resident alien (Deut 10:19), there was no explicit command to love an "enemy" in the same sense as those who actively sought harm. Certain sectarian groups, like the Qumran community, even emphasized separation from and hatred of "the sons of darkness." Jesus' teaching therefore stood in stark contrast to conventional wisdom and existing interpretations, which might have justified limited love or animosity towards adversaries, foreigners, or tax collectors. This teaching represents a polemic against the "lex talionis" (law of retaliation), understood by some as justifying personal revenge, and against the limited scope of love within popular Judaism. Jesus is expanding the definition of love beyond social and religious boundaries, modeling God's own indiscriminate goodness.

Luke 6 27 Word analysis

• But I say to you: (Ἀλλὰ ὑμῖν λέγω - Alla hymin legō)

  • Ἀλλὰ (Alla): "But." This emphatic conjunction signals a strong contrast or opposition to previous norms, expectations, or a commonly held belief. Jesus introduces a radically new ethic that challenges existing paradigms.
  • ὑμῖν (hymin): "to you" (plural). This directs the command specifically to His disciples, implying it is for those who commit to His kingdom's demands, differentiating them from the crowds who merely observe.
  • λέγω (legō): "I say." This denotes a declaration with authority and intentionality, setting it apart as a personal teaching from Jesus, who speaks with divine authority (Mark 1:22).

• who hear: (τοῖς ἀκούουσιν - tois akouousin)

  • This phrase emphasizes not just physical presence, but active listening and reception of His words. It refers to those who are receptive to truth and willing to obey, contrasting with those who hear but do not act (Luke 8:15).

• Love: (ἀγαπᾶτε - agapate)

  • From agapaō, referring to agape love. This is a benevolent, selfless, volitional love that chooses the good of the other, irrespective of their deserving it. It is not an emotional feeling (phileo) or a desire (eros), but an active decision to seek another's welfare. This specific Greek word highlights that this command transcends natural human affection and mirrors God's unconditional love.

• your enemies: (τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν - tous echthrous hymōn)

  • ἐχθροὺς (echthrous): "enemies" or "adversaries." This refers to those who actively hate, oppose, or cause harm. This is a deliberate choice of a strong term, making the command even more challenging. It highlights the radical nature of agape love, extended even to those who manifest hostility.

• do good: (καλῶς ποιεῖτε - kalōs poieite)

  • καλῶς (kalōs): "well, honorably, rightly, beautifully." This adverb describes the quality of the action, suggesting a morally upright and beneficial deed, not just absence of harm.
  • ποιεῖτε (poieite): "do, perform, make." This is a strong verb indicating active engagement. It's not passive tolerance but intentional acts of kindness and benevolence. The command implies going beyond superficial gestures to genuine acts that benefit the other person.

• to those who hate you: (τοῖς μισοῦσιν ὑμᾶς - tois misousin hymas)

  • μισοῦσιν (misousin): From miseō, meaning "to hate, detest." This directly contrasts with the command to "love." It specifically targets those whose disposition towards the disciple is one of animosity and ill-will, underscoring the reciprocal nature of the challenge.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "But I say to you who hear": Jesus establishes a distinct audience for these radical teachings. It's not for the casual listener but for those committed to being His disciples, setting the stage for demanding yet transformative kingdom ethics. This implicitly critiques those who claim allegiance yet refuse radical obedience.
  • "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you": This phrase introduces a core, counter-cultural principle of Jesus' ethics. It requires a reversal of typical human instinct (reciprocity of harm for harm) and establishes an unprecedented standard of conduct based on God's own character. The pairing of "love" (an inner disposition and will) with "do good" (outward action) highlights the holistic nature of the command: genuine agape finds expression in tangible acts of benevolence, even towards adversaries.

Luke 6 27 Bonus section

The seemingly paradoxical command in Luke 6:27 is only possible through divine enablement. Human nature instinctively seeks revenge or withdrawal from enemies. However, for those who follow Christ, the Holy Spirit provides the capacity to extend agape love, aligning their actions with God's character. This ethic is deeply connected to the New Covenant: disciples are not merely commanded to love their enemies, but are called to participate in the nature of God Himself (2 Pet 1:4). It is a radical manifestation of true discipleship and an active pursuit of peace (Rom 12:18; Heb 12:14), inviting the enemy to witness the transforming power of Christ through benevolent acts, not merely words. This form of love is a testament to the fact that one's ultimate security and vindication rest with God, liberating believers from the burden of self-defense or retaliation.

Luke 6 27 Commentary

Luke 6:27 unveils a central tenet of Christ's kingdom ethics, demanding a love far transcending human capacity or expectation. This is not merely an idealistic suggestion but a definitive command from Jesus, addressed specifically to "those who hear"—His true disciples who are committed to internalizing and living out His teachings. The distinction between natural human affection and agape love is critical: the latter is a self-sacrificial, volitional choice to seek the good of the other, even the hostile. It goes beyond feelings and is demonstrated through intentional, benevolent actions.

This command to "love your enemies" and "do good to those who hate you" radically challenges all prevailing norms, whether they be Roman reciprocal laws, Jewish traditions interpreted as limiting love to one's own people, or the innate human desire for vengeance. Jesus models the divine attribute of agape—God's indiscriminate kindness, even to the wicked and ungrateful (Luke 6:35; Matt 5:45). This love is a distinctive mark of a disciple, setting them apart as children of their Heavenly Father. It transforms how disciples engage with a hostile world, not by retaliating or succumbing to evil, but by actively overcoming evil with good (Rom 12:21). The objective is not to manipulate an enemy's conversion, though that may happen, but to reflect God's character and live out the demands of His kingdom regardless of outcome, trusting in divine justice and mercy.

Practical examples for daily life:

• Pray for a co-worker who frequently undermines you.
• Offer practical help (e.g., a meal, a listening ear) to a family member who has offended you deeply.
• Speak respectfully and kindly to someone who verbally attacks your faith or character, refusing to respond with bitterness or insult.