King James Version

What Does Matthew 5:44 Mean?

Matthew 5:44 in the King James Version says “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

Matthew 5:44 · KJV

LovePrayer

Context

42

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45

That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46

For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jesus commands the radical ethic: 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you' (Greek: ἀγαπᾶτε τοὺς ἐχθροὺς ὑμῶν, 'love your enemies'). The verb ἀγαπᾶτε is not emotional affection but volitional commitment to another's good. Four progressive actions are commanded: love (internal disposition), bless (speak well of), do good (act beneficially), pray (intercede for). This overturns natural justice and exceeds Old Testament lex talionis (eye for eye). Such love is supernatural, impossible without divine transformation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Roman-occupied Palestine with Zealot revolutionaries advocating violent resistance, Jesus' command was scandalously countercultural. Jewish interpretation of Leviticus 19:18 ('love your neighbor') debated who qualified as neighbor - often excluding Gentiles and enemies. Qumran community rule explicitly commanded hating 'sons of darkness.' Jesus demolishes these boundaries, commanding universal love that mirrors God's indiscriminate grace (5:45). This teaching later shaped Christian pacifism and enemy-love traditions.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does loving enemies differ from approving their actions or enabling evil?
  2. What practical steps can we take to move from natural hostility toward supernatural love for enemies?
  3. How does praying for persecutors transform both them and us?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ἐγὼ1 of 26

“I”

G1473

i, me

δὲ2 of 26

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

λέγω3 of 26

“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

ὑμῖν4 of 26

“unto you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

ἀγαπᾶτε5 of 26

“Love”

G25

to love (in a social or moral sense)

τῶν6 of 26

“them which”

G3588

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

ἐχθροὺς7 of 26

“enemies”

G2190

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

ὑμῶν8 of 26

“your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

εὐλογεῖτε9 of 26

“bless”

G2127

to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)

τῶν10 of 26

“them which”

G3588

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

καταρωμένους11 of 26

“them that curse”

G2672

to execrate; by analogy, to doom

ὑμᾶς,12 of 26

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καλῶς13 of 26

“good”

G2573

well (usually morally)

ποιεῖτε14 of 26

“do”

G4160

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

τῶν15 of 26

“them which”

G3588

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

μισοῦντας16 of 26

“to them that hate”

G3404

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

ὑμᾶς,17 of 26

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ18 of 26

“and”

G2532

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

προσεύχεσθε19 of 26

“pray”

G4336

to pray to god, i.e., supplicate, worship

ὑπὲρ20 of 26

“for”

G5228

"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super

τῶν21 of 26

“them which”

G3588

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

ἐπηρεαζόντων22 of 26

“despitefully use”

G1908

to insult, slander

ὑμᾶς,23 of 26

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

καὶ24 of 26

“and”

G2532

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

διωκόντων25 of 26

“persecute”

G1377

compare the base of g1169 and g1249); to pursue (literally or figuratively); by implication, to persecute

ὑμᾶς,26 of 26

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Matthew 5:44 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 Matthew 5:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 12:141 Peter 3:9Luke 6:27-28Romans 12:20-21Proverbs 25:21-22Luke 23:34

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