I say
Here, Jesus asserts His authority as a teacher and prophet. In the cultural context of first-century Judea, rabbis and teachers often prefaced their teachings with authoritative statements. Jesus' use of "I say" distinguishes His teachings from traditional interpretations of the Law, indicating a new covenant and a deeper understanding of God's will. This phrase also connects to the prophetic tradition, where prophets would declare, "Thus says the Lord," but Jesus speaks on His own authority, highlighting His divine nature.

Love your enemies
This command challenges the prevailing cultural norms of retribution and justice. In the historical context, the Jewish people were under Roman occupation, and animosity towards oppressors was common. Jesus' instruction to love enemies is a radical departure from the lex talionis, or the law of retaliation, found in Exodus 21:24. This teaching aligns with the prophetic vision of peace and reconciliation, as seen in Isaiah 2:4, where swords are turned into plowshares. It also prefigures Christ's own sacrificial love on the cross, where He forgives those who crucify Him.

Do good to those who hate you
This phrase calls for active benevolence towards adversaries, going beyond mere passive non-retaliation. In the cultural and historical context, acts of kindness towards enemies were seen as a demonstration of moral superiority and divine favor. This teaching echoes Proverbs 25:21-22, which advises feeding one's enemy and is fulfilled in the New Testament ethic of overcoming evil with good, as articulated in Romans 12:20-21. It reflects the character of God, who is kind to the ungrateful and wicked, and serves as a type of Christ's own ministry, where He healed and served those who opposed Him.

Jesus isn’t talking to a casual crowd; He is addressing people willing to hear and obey. Luke often records this call to attentive hearing (Luke 8:18). The Lord’s invitation mirrors Revelation 2:7—“He who has an ear, let him hear.” Obedience starts with listening, so He singles out the responsive heart. James 1:22 reminds us that genuine faith is not mere audit of information but active doers of the word. When we open our ears, we open the door for God’s transforming work.

With these words, Christ asserts divine authority. In the Sermon on the Mount He repeatedly affirms, “But I tell you” (Matthew 5:22, 28, 32). Unlike the scribes, Jesus speaks as the Lawgiver Himself (Mark 1:22). John 12:49 shows His perfect unity with the Father—what He says is heaven’s final word. That certainty anchors our obedience: the command that follows is not a suggestion but a royal decree.

Here is the heart of the verse—love that stretches beyond natural affection into supernatural grace. Matthew 5:44 echoes the identical charge, while Romans 12:20–21 urges us to feed our enemy, overcoming evil with good. Jesus models this love on the cross—“Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). Practically, loving an enemy means:

• choosing benevolent thoughts instead of rehearsing wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5)

• speaking blessing, not cursing (1 Peter 3:9)

• praying for their welfare, even when feelings lag behind (Job 42:10)

This command is literal, not metaphorical, and it draws its power from the truth that “we love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Love must wear work boots. Romans 12:17 counsels us to “repay no one evil for evil,” while Galatians 6:10 urges us to “do good to everyone.” The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33–35) embodies this principle—tangible help to a man from a hostile group. Practical expressions can include:

• a meal, a ride, or a kind note to someone who has wounded us

• serving faithfully under a difficult boss (Colossians 3:23)

• refusing retaliation, thus “heap[ing] burning coals on his head” (Proverbs 25:21–22)

By doing good, we mirror our Father, who “causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good” (Matthew 5:45), and we testify that grace is stronger than hate.

Luke 6:27 calls every willing listener to embrace Christ’s authority, extend His radical love to enemies, and translate that love into concrete acts of goodness. Obedient ears become compassionate hands, proving that the gospel’s power is real, practical, and victorious over hostility.

Parallel Commentaries ...