Luke 6:27-36 teaches that Jesus’ followers are to love their enemies, do good to people who harm them, and show mercy as God shows mercy. The passage asks for a kind of love that does not depend on how others treat us, and it grounds that love in the character of the Father.
Jesus gives this teaching in the Sermon on the Plain, a shorter version of the sermon in Matthew, delivered to a large crowd of disciples and people who had come to hear him and be healed. Luke places it right after the blessings and woes of chapter 6, so the listeners have just heard that the poor, the hungry, and the persecuted are blessed, and that comfort can be lost for those who are rich and admired.
27 “But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him who takes away your cloak, don’t withhold your coat also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again. 31 “As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them. 32 If you 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 to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. 36 “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
Luke 6:27-36 (WEB)
Luke 6:27-36 Summary
Jesus begins with a command that runs against natural instinct: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you. He then gives concrete examples of what this looks like when someone is hurt, robbed, or taken advantage of, and he sets the standard of treating others as you would want to be treated.
The argument then turns to motive. Jesus points out that ordinary people already love those who love them and do favors for those who will return them, so such actions earn no special credit. The reward for a different kind of love comes from God, and the passage closes by calling believers to be merciful because the Father is merciful.
Context of Luke 6:27-36
Luke’s Gospel was written to a Gentile readership, likely a Greek-speaking community, and is traditionally attributed to Luke, the companion of Paul. In its narrative, this section follows Jesus’ healing ministry and the calling of the twelve apostles, so the teaching is addressed to disciples who are learning what life in God’s kingdom looks like in practice.
The verses directly before (24-26) contain woes against the rich and those who are praised by others, which sets up a contrast between worldly approval and the lasting reward God gives. The verses that follow (37-38) continue the theme of mercy with instructions on judging, condemning, forgiving, and giving, so the whole section moves from the heart of the disciple to the way that disciple treats others.
Luke 6:27-36 Verse by Verse
Romans 12:20
Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
(WEB)
Paul echoes Jesus by urging believers to feed an enemy who is hungry and give drink to one who is thirsty. This shows that loving enemies is practical and concrete, something done in daily life.
Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you…
(WEB)
Matthew records the same call to love enemies and pray for persecutors within the Sermon on the Mount. Reading the two accounts side by side deepens the sense that this teaching was central to Jesus’ message.
A Prayer Based on Luke 6:27-36
Father, you are kind even to those who do not thank you, and I confess how quickly I want to protect myself when someone hurts me. Help me to love the people who have wronged me, to speak blessing where I feel cursing, and to pray for those who make my life hard. Give me generosity that does not keep score, and let my actions show the mercy I have received from you. Shape my heart to be like yours, so that I reflect your goodness in ordinary places. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Luke 6:27-36 mean we should let people abuse us?
No, the passage calls for a refusal to take revenge and a posture of mercy, not for submitting to ongoing harm. Many Christians understand the call to include seeking safety, justice, and protection for others while refusing bitterness and retaliation.
What is the difference between Luke 6 and Matthew 5 on loving enemies?
Both passages record Jesus teaching the same core call to love enemies and pray for persecutors. Luke’s version is shorter and set on a level place, while Matthew’s version appears in the longer Sermon on the Mount.
Why does Jesus say that sinners also love those who love them?
Jesus uses this observation to show that ordinary reciprocity does not reflect God’s character and earns no special reward. He invites disciples to love in a way that goes beyond the common patterns of human exchange.
