Matthew 7:12 kjv

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7:12 nkjv

Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 niv

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 esv

"So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 nlt

"Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.

Matthew 7 verses

Matthew 7 12 Meaning

Matthew 7:12, often referred to as the "Golden Rule," encapsulates the fundamental principle of Christian ethics concerning interpersonal relationships. It calls believers to act proactively towards others with the same standard of good treatment they would desire for themselves. This verse signifies that such active benevolence is not merely a good suggestion but is the very essence and summation of all moral and relational commands found within the entire Old Testament, unifying the spirit of the Law and the teachings of the Prophets into a single, comprehensive directive for how God's people should interact with humanity. It transitions from how God gives good gifts to His children, to how His children should then give good gifts to one another.

Matthew 7 12 Context

Matthew 7:12 serves as a pivotal summary within Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7), particularly toward its conclusion. Preceding this verse, Jesus has taught about asking, seeking, and knocking in prayer, emphasizing that God, as a good Father, gives good gifts to those who ask (Matt 7:7-11). The "So" in verse 12 establishes a logical connection, implying that just as a loving God generously provides, His followers, as His children, should generously and righteously interact with their fellow human beings.The verse appears just before warnings against false prophets and the call to enter through the narrow gate, underscoring that genuine discipleship is evidenced by adherence to fundamental ethical principles, not merely by religious affiliation or outward show. Within the Jewish context of the Law and Prophets, this principle represents Jesus' definitive and revolutionary interpretation of God's will for interpersonal relationships, prioritizing love and active benevolence over strict adherence to external rituals or legalistic interpretations. It’s a call to reflect God’s character in human interactions.

Matthew 7 12 Word analysis

• "So" (οὖν - oun): A logical connector, meaning "therefore" or "then." It draws an inference from the preceding verses (Matt 7:7-11) where Jesus highlights God's good nature in giving gifts to His children. This "so" transitions from God's gracious giving to our human responsibility in treating others.
• "in everything" (πάντα - panta): All-encompassing; signifies that this principle applies to all circumstances and relationships, leaving no exceptions or loopholes for treating others unfairly or unkindly. It indicates universality of the command.
• "do" (ποιεῖτε - poieite): A present active imperative verb, meaning "make" or "do." It commands continuous and active conduct, emphasizing positive action rather than merely refraining from negative actions. It calls for initiative.
• "to others" (τοῖς ἀνθρώποις - tois anthrōpois): Refers to all human beings, universally. The instruction extends beyond fellow believers to include all people with whom one interacts.
• "what you would have them do to you" (ὅσα ἂν θέλητε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν - hosa an thelēte hina poiōsin hymin): This clause forms the core standard of the rule. It establishes a standard based on empathy and imagination – considering one's own desires for good treatment. It's a positive, proactive injunction, going beyond merely "doing no harm" to actively seeking and performing good based on desired reciprocity. This isn't self-centeredness, but using one's legitimate desire for good as the ethical baseline for action towards others.
• "for" (γὰρ - gar): A causal conjunction, meaning "because" or "for this reason." It introduces the foundational reason or justification for the Golden Rule.
• "this sums up" (οὗτος γὰρ ἐστιν - houtos gar estin combined with implied meaning): The Greek literally translates to "for this is." In context, "sums up" captures the sense of epitome, essence, or fulfillment. Jesus asserts that this single principle encapsulates and perfectly represents the moral teachings contained within the Old Testament. It doesn't replace the Law but interprets its spirit.
• "the Law and the Prophets" (ὁ νόμος καὶ οἱ προφῆται - ho nomos kai hoi prophētai): A common Jewish idiom referring to the entirety of the Old Testament scripture (the Torah and the prophetic books), which constituted the written revelation of God's will. By stating this rule summarizes them, Jesus declares its paramount importance and divine authority within the framework of God's complete revelation.

• "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you": This is the affirmative formulation of the Golden Rule. It transforms personal desire for good into an imperative for proactive, benevolent action towards others. It emphasizes treating all people, in every situation, with the same care, consideration, and kindness one desires for oneself. This requires imagination, stepping into another's shoes, and acting from a place of active goodwill. It is a cornerstone of outward-focused Christian love and righteousness.
• "for this sums up the Law and the Prophets": This profound statement vests the Golden Rule with ultimate theological and ethical authority. It signifies that this principle is not just a nice moral guideline, but it embodies the very heart and culmination of God's revelation to Israel in the Old Testament scriptures. Jesus here provides an authoritative summary of what the entire covenant and prophetic declarations aimed at in terms of human-to-human relationships: righteous living expressed through empathetic and benevolent actions. It highlights the unified moral trajectory of Scripture toward love.

Matthew 7 12 Bonus section

The uniqueness of Jesus' positive formulation (Luke 6:31 echoes this) stands in contrast to the commonly held "negative" rule found in contemporary Jewish writings and other ancient cultures. For example, Rabbi Hillel famously stated, "What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow man; this is the whole Law; the rest is mere commentary." While both prohibit wrong-doing, Jesus' version compels proactive good, demanding initiative and an active extension of grace and compassion. This distinction moves from avoiding harm to actively seeking the good of others. Furthermore, the Golden Rule is inseparable from the Greatest Commandment to love God and neighbor (Matt 22:37-39). It is the practical outflow of loving God and expresses itself as loving one's neighbor. It serves as a practical, memorable guide for navigating complex ethical dilemmas by appealing to a foundational human experience—the desire to be treated well. It connects personal righteousness with universal ethics rooted in divine revelation.

Matthew 7 12 Commentary

Matthew 7:12 is a capstone to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, presenting the most succinct summary of relational ethics found anywhere. Unlike the often-quoted "negative" form ("do not do to others what you hate"), Jesus' "positive" formulation demands proactive, imaginative, and generous action. It compels believers to project their own desire for kindness, respect, fairness, and compassion onto others, making it the standard for their own behavior. This is profoundly demanding as it calls for radical empathy and selfless initiative rather than passive non-aggression. This rule encompasses mercy, justice, patience, and love in every human interaction. Jesus affirms its divine origin and absolute authority by stating it is the very essence of God's revealed will in "the Law and the Prophets." This is not an abandonment of the Old Testament but its distilled spiritual intent. For Christians, this rule is not achieved by human effort alone, but is enabled by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers to genuinely love others from a heart changed by God's love.Examples: When facing a disagreement, apply the Golden Rule by asking, "How would I want to be heard and understood if I were in their position?" When in a position of power, "How would I want to be treated if I were the one vulnerable?" When choosing words, "Are these the words I would want to receive?"