King James Version

What Does Luke 6:35 Mean?

Luke 6:35 in the King James Version says “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall ... — study this verse from Luke chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

Luke 6:35 · KJV


Context

33

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

34

And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

35

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36

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

37

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus commands: 'Love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.' This radical ethic of enemy love reflects God's character—He shows kindness to those who don't deserve or appreciate it. The phrase 'children of the Highest' (Greek 'huioi hypsistou,' υἱοὶ ὑψίστου) means bearing family resemblance—loving enemies proves we're God's children because we act like our Father. Grace-based love mirrors divine love that blesses the undeserving.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient honor-shame culture valued vengeance and retribution—harming enemies maintained honor. 'Love your neighbor' was accepted, but 'your neighbor' was narrowly defined, often excluding enemies and Gentiles. Jesus radicalizes Old Testament ethics, commanding love even for enemies. This teaching distinguished Jesus' ethics from both Jewish and Greco-Roman morality. Early Christians' practice of enemy love astonished pagans and demonstrated the gospel's power to transform. Jesus Himself modeled this, praying for His crucifiers (Luke 23:34) and loving those who hated Him.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does loving enemies demonstrate family resemblance to God and prove authentic conversion?
  2. What does God's kindness to the unthankful and evil teach about the nature of grace and how we should treat others?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 31 words
πλὴν1 of 31

But

G4133

moreover (besides), i.e., albeit, save that, rather, yet

ἀγαπᾶτε2 of 31

love ye

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τοὺς3 of 31
G3588

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

ἐχθροὺς4 of 31

enemies

G2190

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

ὑμῶν5 of 31

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

καὶ6 of 31

and

G2532

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

ἀγαθοποιεῖτε7 of 31

do good

G15

to be a well-doer (as a favor or a duty)

καὶ8 of 31

and

G2532

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

δανείζετε9 of 31

lend

G1155

to loan on interest; reflexively, to borrow

μηδὲν10 of 31

for nothing

G3367

not even one (man, woman, thing)

ἀπελπίζοντες·11 of 31

again

G560

to hope out, i.e., fully expect

καὶ12 of 31

and

G2532

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

ἔσεσθε13 of 31

shall be

G2071

will be

14 of 31
G3588

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

μισθὸς15 of 31

reward

G3408

pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad

ὑμῶν16 of 31

your

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

πολύς17 of 31

great

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

καὶ18 of 31

and

G2532

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

ἔσεσθε19 of 31

shall be

G2071

will be

υἱοὶ20 of 31

the children

G5207

a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship

τοῦ21 of 31
G3588

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

ὑψίστου22 of 31

of the Highest

G5310

highest, i.e., (masculine singular) the supreme (god), or (neuter plural) the heavens

ὅτι23 of 31

for

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

αὐτὸς24 of 31

he

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

χρηστός25 of 31

kind

G5543

employed, i.e., (by implication) useful (in manner or morals)

ἐστιν26 of 31

is

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

ἐπὶ27 of 31

unto

G1909

properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re

τοὺς28 of 31
G3588

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

ἀχαρίστους29 of 31

the unthankful

G884

thankless, i.e., ungrateful

καὶ30 of 31

and

G2532

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

πονηρούς31 of 31

to the evil

G4190

hurtful, i.e., evil (properly, in effect or influence, and thus differing from g2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well as from g455


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 6:35 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 6:35 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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