King James Version

What Does Luke 6:31 Mean?

Luke 6:31 in the King James Version says “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

Luke 6:31 · KJV

Context

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.

30

Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.

31

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

32

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

33

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse encapsulates Jesus' ethical teaching through a comprehensive principle of reciprocal justice and love. 'As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise' reformulates behavior based on the golden rule principle, the deepest expression of covenant love. The construction employs 'katheios' (just as, in the same way) to establish proportional response: our treatment of others should mirror the treatment we desire. This is not merely negative reciprocity (the silver rule: 'do not do unto others what you would not have them do unto you'), but positive reciprocity that proactively extends kindness, mercy, and justice. The emphasis on 'likewise' ('homoios') means not only frequency but quality and intention. Jesus teaches that moral behavior flows not from rules externally imposed but from internal transformation of desire - we naturally wish others well and extend kindness because we recognize our shared human condition. Greek philosophy recognized variations of this principle (Stoics, Confucius), but Jesus radicalizes it by grounding it in the nature of God's kingdom. This rule synthesizes the entire Torah and Prophets (Matthew 22:40) because it reflects God's character: a Creator who desires human flourishing and extends grace undeserved. The principle assumes anthropological parity - we recognize in others the same fundamental needs, vulnerabilities, and dignity we possess.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Luke presents Jesus' Golden Rule in the Sermon on the Plain (Luke 6:20-49), paralleled in Matthew's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). Luke's version emphasizes social ethics and care for the poor and marginalized, reflecting his consistent theme of God's preferential option for the economically vulnerable. This teaching countered the prevailing honor-shame cultural framework of first-century Mediterranean society, where reciprocity was transactional: you extended kindness to those of equal or greater status who could repay. Jesus inverts this entirely - the audience should 'do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you' (Luke 6:27-28), extending kindness to those who cannot and will not repay. This was countercultural in a patronage society where social relationships were explicitly transactional. The principle also challenged Jewish teachers who restricted the definition of 'neighbor' to fellow Jews and righteous Gentiles. Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan demonstrates that the 'neighbor' is any human we encounter who has need. The early church applied this principle radically: Acts 2:44-45 describes believers selling possessions to share with those in need, treating others' welfare as equivalent to their own. Church fathers like Augustine cited this verse when establishing Christian hospitality norms, fundamentally different from pagan reciprocity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the Golden Rule transcend mere reciprocal justice to become a principle of proactive benevolence?
  2. Why would Jesus ground ethical behavior in empathy (imagining ourselves in others' circumstances) rather than in legal rules?
  3. In what ways did Jesus' Golden Rule challenge first-century Mediterranean honor-shame culture?
  4. How does this principle address the human tendency to rationalize unfair treatment of those we consider inferior?
  5. What implications does the Golden Rule have for how Christians should approach justice, economics, and power?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
καὶ1 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καθὼς2 of 13

“as”

G2531

just (or inasmuch) as, that

θέλετε3 of 13

“ye would”

G2309

to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas g1014 properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations),

ἵνα4 of 13

“that”

G2443

in order that (denoting the purpose or the result)

ποιεῖτε5 of 13

“do”

G4160

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

ὑμῖν6 of 13

“to you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

οἱ7 of 13
G3588

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

ἄνθρωποι8 of 13

“men”

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

καὶ9 of 13

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ὑμεῖς10 of 13

“ye”

G5210

you (as subjective of verb)

ποιεῖτε11 of 13

“do”

G4160

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

αὐτοῖς12 of 13

“to them”

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

ὁμοίως13 of 13

“likewise”

G3668

similarly

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 6:31 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 6:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 7:12Galatians 5:14Matthew 22:39James 2:8-16

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