Luke 6:27-36
Expanded Bible
Love Your Enemies(A)
27 “But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who ·are cruel to [hurt; mistreat] you. 29 If anyone ·slaps [strikes; hits] you on one cheek [C probably an insult or act of rejection, although it could be a stronger punch], ·offer him [T turn] the other cheek, too. If someone takes your coat, do not ·stop him from taking [withhold] your ·shirt [tunic]. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and when someone takes something that is yours, don’t ·ask for [demand] it back. 31 ·Do to others what [Treat others as] you would want them to ·do to [treat] you. 32 If you love only the people who love you, what ·praise [credit] should you get? Even sinners love the people who love them. 33 If you do good only to those who do good to you, what ·praise [credit] should you get? Even sinners do that! 34 If you lend things to people, ·always hoping to get something back [or …from whom you expect to be repaid], what ·praise [credit] should you get? Even sinners lend to other sinners ·so that they can get back the same amount [expecting to be repaid in full]! 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without ·hoping [expecting] to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and ·full of sin [wicked; evil]. 36 ·Show mercy [Be compassionate], just as your Father ·shows mercy [is compassionate].
Read full chapter
Luke 6:27-36
Amplified Bible
27 “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: [a]Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, 28 bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 Whoever [b]strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either.(A) 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. [c]Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. 31 Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. 32 If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount. 35 But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, [d]expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Luke 6:27 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the higher good for another.
- Luke 6:29 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
- Luke 6:30 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
- Luke 6:35 Or not despairing at all.
The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631. All rights reserved.
