New Testament · Gospel

Luke 6:35

Blessings and Woes

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

Luke 6:35, in plain English

Instead, Jesus said, 'Love your enemies, do good, lend expecting nothing back. Your reward will be great, and you'll be reflecting God's own character — because He is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked.'

Why it's here

This is the 'why' behind everything: you love this way because God loves this way. You're becoming like your Father.

Who's speaking

Jesus gives the positive command and explains its divine motivation.

Where it sits in the story

Here's the stunning truth: God is kind to people who don't deserve it and don't thank Him. That's how He loved you. When you love your enemies, you look most like your Father in heaven.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

The positive command synthesizes all three examples: love enemies, do good, lend mēden apelpizzontes ("expecting nothing in return"). The reward (misthos) is great, and believers become huioi hypsistou ("sons of the Most High"), reflecting God's character of kindness to the ungrateful (acharistous) and evil (ponērous).

Language and setting

The theological basis for enemy-love is theocentric: God Himself is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Believers are called to imitate divine character, not merely follow rules.

Voice

Jesus gives the positive summary command and its theological foundation.

Significance

This verse provides both the climax and the rationale for the entire section. Enemy-love is grounded not in pragmatism or moral superiority but in the imitation of God's own indiscriminate kindness.

In context

Luke 6:33–37

33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Read all of Luke 6 — Blessed are the poor; woe to the rich. Jesus delivers his version of the great sermon and demands a love so radical it includes your enemies.

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