Luke 6 36

Luke 6:36 kjv

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:36 nkjv

Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:36 niv

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:36 esv

Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6:36 nlt

You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

Luke 6 verses

Luke 6 36 Meaning

Luke 6:36 commands believers to continuously cultivate and demonstrate the quality of mercy and compassion, mirroring the very character of God the Father. This mercy is to be shown unconditionally, extending even to those who are hostile, reflecting the expansive and generous compassion of God Himself.

Luke 6 36 Context

Luke 6:36 concludes a significant section of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), following immediately after a radical call to love one's enemies, bless those who curse you, turn the other cheek, give without expecting return, and lend freely. These difficult instructions challenge conventional human understanding of justice and reciprocity. Jesus' command to "Be merciful" provides the ultimate motivation and standard for such challenging behaviors. It shifts the focus from reciprocal human relationships ("Do unto others as you would have them do unto you") to an emulation of divine, unilateral generosity and compassion. The verse grounds ethical behavior in the very nature of God the Father, calling His followers to reflect His boundless mercy as a hallmark of true discipleship, rather than a system of tit-for-tat justice. This context positions mercy not as an option but as an essential characteristic flowing from the character of God that believers are called to embody.

Luke 6 36 Word analysis

• Be: From the Greek verb ginomai (γίνεσθε, ginesthe), which is an imperative in the present tense. This implies a continuous state or an ongoing process of "becoming" or "keeping on being." It's not a one-time act but a transformative journey, actively pursuing and manifesting mercy in all circumstances. It speaks of a lifestyle, not just isolated acts.
• therefore: From the Greek oun (οὖν). This conjunctive particle creates a logical connection and draws a conclusion based on the preceding instructions. Given God's character (implied and explicitly stated next) and the radical calls to love and generosity in Luke 6:27-35, the natural and necessary outcome for disciples is to be merciful. It functions as a summary and culminating directive.
• merciful: From the Greek oiktirmon (οἰκτίρμων). This word denotes having deep compassion, pity, or tender sympathy that springs from within – a profound feeling of sorrow or pity over another's misfortune or plight. It goes beyond intellectual pity to an emotional identification with the suffering of others, often leading to action. It’s a stronger, more heartfelt term than simply eleēmōn (pity in action/charity) and connects well with the biblical concept of God's "womb" or "bowels" of compassion (often conveyed by Hebrew racham). It contrasts with legalistic justice or an eye-for-an-eye mentality by emphasizing overflowing kindness and pardon.
• just as: From the Greek kathos (καθώς). This adverb signifies likeness or correspondence – "according as," "even as," "in the same manner that." It points to the Father as the perfect model and standard. The mercy displayed by believers is not just a human effort but a reflection, an imitation of divine mercy. It establishes a theological basis for the ethical command.
• your Father: Refers to God the Father, emphasizing a familial relationship and the divine parent-child connection. Disciples are spiritual children of God, and children naturally reflect their parents' characteristics. This familial title strengthens the call to imitation and highlights the high privilege and responsibility of bearing God's image.
• is merciful: Reiterates the intrinsic, unchanging nature of God. God's mercy is not conditional or earned; it is an inherent quality of His being, freely extended to all, including the ungrateful and evil (Lk 6:35). This serves as both the ultimate justification and the living example for the command given to believers.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Be therefore merciful: This is an imperative command with a clear theological basis drawn from what precedes. It's an active, continuous call for inward disposition and outward expression of compassion. The "therefore" signifies that this mercy is the logical consequence and the true fulfillment of the radical teachings of enemy-love and non-retaliation Jesus just delivered. It shifts the emphasis from performing actions to possessing a compassionate heart.
• just as your Father is merciful: This phrase provides the divine blueprint. The standard for human mercy is nothing less than the limitless, indiscriminate mercy of God. This part of the verse connects ethical living directly to the character of God, urging believers to be perfect (as per Mt 5:48, a parallel account) in the way they manifest compassion, embodying God's own attribute. It's a call to conformity to the divine nature, reflecting spiritual sonship.

Luke 6 36 Bonus section

The injunction to "be merciful" in Luke's account can be seen as the practical application of Matthew's "be perfect" (Mt 5:48) found in a similar context in the Sermon on the Mount. While "perfect" (teleios in Greek) can denote completeness or maturity, in the context of the Beatitudes and the surrounding discourse, it strongly implies a perfection in love and mercy towards others, especially enemies, mirroring God's impartial goodness. Luke's use of "merciful" directly interprets what this "perfection" looks like in action—a demonstration of active, compassionate love that emulates God's own character. It signifies that maturity in the Christian faith is characterized not by intellectual knowledge or strict adherence to rules, but by the overflowing and indiscriminate display of God-like mercy. It underscores that this attribute is not optional but integral to reflecting divine sonship and participating in God's kingdom values.

Luke 6 36 Commentary

Luke 6:36 is a cornerstone of Jesus' ethic of discipleship, moving beyond mere outward action to the very heart of the believer. Following radical commands to love enemies and be generous, this verse distills the motive and standard: Be merciful because your Father is merciful. It's a call to character transformation, not just behavioral adjustment. God's mercy is indiscriminate, extending even to the undeserving and hostile (Lk 6:35), and believers are summoned to mirror this boundless compassion. This means mercy as an internal disposition and outward act, active and continuous, forming a core part of their identity as children of God. It's not a suggestion but an imperative that grounds ethical living in theological truth. It reveals that the pursuit of true discipleship involves reflecting God's nature to the world. Practically, this implies extending forgiveness, empathy, and active help to all, regardless of their desert or our feelings towards them, simply because that is what God does.