King James Version

What Does Luke 6:27 Mean?

Luke 6:27 in the King James Version says “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,” — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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

Luke 6:27 · KJV

Love

Context

25

Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep.

26

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

27

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

28

Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29

And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

Read Luke 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you. This verse introduces one of Jesus' most radical ethical teachings, directly challenging natural human inclination and conventional morality. The emphatic "But I say unto you" (alla hymin legō tois akouousin, ἀλλὰ ὑμῖν λέγω τοῖς ἀκούουσιν) asserts Jesus' divine authority to establish moral standards. The phrase "to you which hear" distinguishes genuine disciples who receive and obey from those who merely listen without commitment.

The command "Love your enemies" (agapate tous echthrous hymōn, ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν) uses the verb agapaō (ἀγαπάω), indicating self-giving, volitional love that seeks the other's highest good regardless of feelings. This is not philia (friendship) or eros (romantic love) but agape—unconditional, sacrificial commitment to another's welfare. The noun echthros (ἐχθρός, "enemy") refers to active opponents, those who oppose and seek harm. Jesus commands love toward those who have earned hatred.

The parallel command "do good to them which hate you" (kalōs poieite tois misousin hymas, καλῶς ποιεῖτε τοῖς μισοῦσιν ὑμᾶς) specifies concrete action. The verb miseō (μισέω, "hate") indicates active hostility and malice. Jesus requires not merely emotional restraint but active benevolence toward those who harbor malice toward us. This teaching transcends Old Testament law, which commanded love of neighbor (Leviticus 19:18) but permitted vengeance against enemies. Jesus establishes a new ethic that reflects God's character—He "makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" (Matthew 5:45).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Jesus spoke these words during the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), paralleling Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). This occurred during His Galilean ministry, approximately AD 28-29, after choosing the twelve apostles. The audience included both disciples and a large multitude from Judea, Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon (Luke 6:17), representing diverse geographic and social backgrounds.

First-century Jewish ethics, while compassionate toward fellow Jews, distinguished sharply between treatment of Israelites and Gentiles. The Qumran community (Dead Sea Scrolls) explicitly commanded, "Love all the sons of light...and hate all the sons of darkness." Some rabbinic teaching permitted hatred of Israel's enemies. Roman law and Greco-Roman ethics generally endorsed retaliation and revenge—enemies deserved punishment, not love.

Jesus' command to love enemies was thus revolutionary in its cultural context. For Jews under Roman occupation, "enemies" included not only personal antagonists but the oppressive political system. Zealots advocated violent resistance; Jesus advocated active love. This teaching would become foundational to Christian ethics and eventually influence Western moral thought, though its full implications remain countercultural in every age. The early church's practice of loving enemies, including praying for persecutors, distinguished Christians dramatically from surrounding culture.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus' command to love enemies reflect God's character and His treatment of sinners?
  2. What is the difference between tolerating enemies passively and actively loving them as Jesus commands?
  3. In what practical ways can believers 'do good' to those who hate them without compromising convictions or enabling evil?
  4. How does enemy-love challenge nationalism, tribalism, and political partisanship within Christian communities?
  5. What does this command reveal about the nature of agape love and its distinction from emotional affection?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
ἀλλ'1 of 14

“But”

G235

properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)

ὑμῖν2 of 14

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

λέγω3 of 14

“I say”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

τοῖς4 of 14

“to them which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀκούουσιν5 of 14

“hear”

G191

to hear (in various senses)

ἀγαπᾶτε6 of 14

“Love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τοῖς7 of 14

“to them which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐχθροὺς8 of 14

“enemies”

G2190

hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)

ὑμῶν9 of 14

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καλῶς10 of 14

“good”

G2573

well (usually morally)

ποιεῖτε11 of 14

“do”

G4160

to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)

τοῖς12 of 14

“to them which”

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

μισοῦσιν13 of 14

“hate”

G3404

to detest (especially to persecute); by extension, to love less

ὑμᾶς14 of 14

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Luke. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Luke 6:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Luke 6:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 5:15Luke 6:35Proverbs 25:21-22Proverbs 24:17Romans 12:17-21Galatians 6:10

Test Your Knowledge

Luke 6 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterLuke Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Luke 6 with CommentaryAll Luke ChaptersComplete Luke QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes