Luke 6:35
New International Version
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

New Living Translation
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked.

English Standard Version
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

Berean Literal Bible
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and evil.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

New American Standard Bible
But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people.

NASB 1995
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

NASB 1977
“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Legacy Standard Bible
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to the ungrateful and evil.

Amplified Bible
But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

Christian Standard Bible
But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

American Standard Version
But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

Contemporary English Version
But love your enemies and be good to them. Lend without expecting to be paid back. Then you will get a great reward, and you will be the true children of God in heaven. He is good even to people who are unthankful and cruel.

English Revised Version
But love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Rather, love your enemies, help them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward. You will be the children of the Most High God. After all, he is kind to unthankful and evil people.

Good News Translation
No! Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back. You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God. For he is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.

International Standard Version
Rather, 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 children of the Most High, because he is kind even to ungrateful and evil people.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to ungrateful and evil people.

New Heart English Bible
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.

Webster's Bible Translation
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 to the unthankful and to the evil.

Weymouth New Testament
Nevertheless love your enemies, be beneficent; and lend without hoping for any repayment. Then your recompense shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Highest, because He is kind to the ungracious and evil;

Berean Literal Bible
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and evil.

Young's Literal Translation
'But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again, and your reward will be great, and ye shall be sons of the Highest, because He is kind unto the ungracious and evil;

Smith's Literal Translation
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing back; and your reward shall be much, and ye shall be sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the graceless and evil.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But love ye your enemies: do good, and lend, hoping for nothing thereby: and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest; for he is kind to the unthankful, and to the evil.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So truly, love your enemies. Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return. And then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.

New American Bible
But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

New Revised Standard Version
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
But love your enemies, and do good to them, and lend, and do not cut off any man’s hope; so your reward will increase, and you will become sons of the Highest; for he is gracious to the wicked and the cruel.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“But love your enemies and treat them well and lend and do not cut off the hope of any person, and your reward shall be great and you shall be the children of The Highest because he is kind toward the evil and toward the unbelievers.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be sons of the Most High: for he is kind to the unthankful and the evil.

Godbey New Testament
Moreover love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping nothing in return; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the sons of the Highest: because He is good to the ungrateful and wicked.

Haweis New Testament
But love your enemies, and do good and lend, hoping for nothing in return: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Most High; for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the wicked.

Mace New Testament
but as for you, love your enemies, do good, and lend without expecting any advantage from it: so shall your reward be great, in acting like the children of the most high: for he is kind to the most ungrateful wretches.

Weymouth New Testament
Nevertheless love your enemies, be beneficent; and lend without hoping for any repayment. Then your recompense shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

Worrell New Testament
"But love your enemies; and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and ye will be sons of the Most High; because He is kind to the unthankful and evil.

Worsley New Testament
But do ye love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing from it: and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the sons of the most High; for He is kind even to the ungrateful and the wicked:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Love Your Enemies
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.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:44-48
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, / that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. / If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? ...

Romans 12:20-21
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” / Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Proverbs 25:21-22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.

1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-14
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. / And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.

James 2:13
For judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

1 John 4:7-8
Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

1 Thessalonians 5:15
Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.

Romans 13:10
Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...

Exodus 23:4-5
If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. / If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.

Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

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

love.

Luke 6:27-31
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, …

Leviticus 25:35-37
And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee…

Psalm 37:26
He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.

and ye.

Matthew 5:44,45
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; …

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 15:8
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

for.

Psalm 145:9
The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Acts 14:17
Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

Jump to Previous
Bad Children Credit Enemies Equal Evil Expecting Fellows Good Great Hard High Highest Hope Hoping Kind Lend Love Money Receive Reward Selfish Unthankful Wicked
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Bad Children Credit Enemies Equal Evil Expecting Fellows Good Great Hard High Highest Hope Hoping Kind Lend Love Money Receive Reward Selfish Unthankful Wicked
Luke 6
1. Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12. chooses apostles;
17. heals the diseased;
20. preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27. Love your Enemy
37. Do not Judge
43. A Tree and Its Fruit
46. The House on the Rock














But love your enemies
The Greek word for "love" here is "agapao," which signifies a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others, regardless of their actions towards us. This command challenges the natural human inclination to retaliate or harbor resentment. In the historical context of Roman-occupied Judea, where enemies were not just personal adversaries but also oppressive rulers, this command was radical. It calls believers to transcend societal norms and reflect the divine love that God extends to all humanity.

do good to them
The phrase "do good" translates from the Greek "kalos poieo," which implies performing acts that are inherently good, noble, and beneficial. This goes beyond passive non-retaliation to active benevolence. In a world where reciprocity was expected, doing good without expecting anything in return was countercultural. This reflects the Christian ethic of proactive kindness, mirroring the goodness of God who provides for all, regardless of their righteousness.

and lend to them, expecting nothing in return
The act of lending without expectation of repayment is a profound expression of grace. The Greek word "apelpizo" means to hope or expect, and here it is used in the negative form, emphasizing the purity of the giver's intentions. In ancient times, lending was often transactional, with interest or favors expected in return. Jesus' teaching here dismantles the economic norms of the day, encouraging believers to reflect God's generosity, who gives freely and abundantly.

Then your reward will be great
The promise of a "great reward" is both spiritual and eschatological. The Greek word "misthos" refers to wages or recompense, suggesting that God acknowledges and values the sacrifices made in His name. This reward is not necessarily material but is rooted in the eternal blessings and the joy of aligning with God's will. It assures believers that their efforts to live out Christ's teachings are not in vain.

and you will be sons of the Most High
Being called "sons of the Most High" signifies a deep, familial relationship with God. The term "sons" (Greek "huios") implies inheritance and identity. In the Jewish context, being a "son" meant sharing in the character and mission of the father. Thus, believers who love their enemies and do good are reflecting the nature of God Himself, who is merciful and loving to all.

for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked
The Greek word for "kind" is "chrestos," which denotes a goodness that is useful and benevolent. God's kindness extends even to those who are "ungrateful" (Greek "acharistos") and "wicked" (Greek "poneros"), highlighting His indiscriminate grace. This divine attribute sets the standard for Christian behavior, urging believers to emulate God's boundless mercy and compassion, regardless of human merit. This teaching underscores the transformative power of grace, which can soften hearts and change lives.

(35) Love ye your enemies.--The tense of the Greek verb may be noted as implying a perpetual abiding rule of action.

Hoping for nothing again.--Better, in nothing losing hope. It is possible that the Greek verb may have the sense given in the text, but its uniform signification in the LXX. (as in Ecclesiasticus 22:21-24; Ecclesiasticus 27:21), which must be allowed great weight in interpreting a writer like St. Luke, is that of "giving up hope," despairing. And this gives, it is obvious, a meaning not less admirable than that of the received version, "Give and lend according to the law of Christ, and do not let the absence of immediate profit make you lose heart and hope." There is a "great reward." The last words at least remind us of the promise made to Abraham, and may be interpreted by it. God Himself is our "exceeding great reward" (Genesis 15:1). One or two MSS. give a masculine instead of a neuter pronoun after the verb, and in that case the verb must be taken as transitive. We have accordingly to choose between in nothing despairing, or driving no man to despair. On the whole, the former seems preferable. So taken, we may compare it with St. Paul's description of "charity" or "love," as "hoping all things" (1Corinthians 13:7), and his counsel, "Be not weary in well doing" (Galatians 6:9). . . .

Verse 35. - And your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest. It has been objected by the enemies of Christianity that, after all, Jesus offered his followers a reward by way of payment to them for their self-sacrificing lives on earth. What, however, is this reward? Is it not a share in that Divine and glorious life of God, who is all love; a hope of participation in that eternal work of his which will go from blessing to blessing, from glory to glory; a certain expectation of dying only to wake up in his likeness, satisfied? The Eternal had already made a similar promise to his faithful servant Abraham. when he bade him fear not, because here on earth God was his Shield, and after death would be his exceeding great Reward.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
But
Πλὴν (Plēn)
Conjunction
Strong's 4133: However, nevertheless, but, except that, yet. From pleion; moreover, i.e. Albeit, save that, rather, yet.

love
ἀγαπᾶτε (agapate)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 25: To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

enemies,
ἐχθροὺς (echthrous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 2190: Hated, hostile; subst: an enemy. From a primary echtho; hateful; usually as a noun, an adversary.

do good [to them],
ἀγαθοποιεῖτε (agathopoieite)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 15: To do that which is good. From agathopoios; to be a well-doer.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

lend [to them],
δανίζετε (danizete)
Verb - Present Imperative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1155: To lend; mid: I borrow. From daneion; to loan on interest; reflexively, to borrow.

expecting nothing in return.
ἀπελπίζοντες (apelpizontes)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 560: To give up in despair, despair of; I hope to receive from or in return. From apo and elpizo; to hope out, i.e. Fully expect.

Then
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

your
ὑμῶν (hymōn)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

reward
μισθὸς (misthos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3408: (a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad.

will be
ἔσται (estai)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

great,
πολύς (polys)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4183: Much, many; often.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

you will be
ἔσεσθε (esesthe)
Verb - Future Indicative Middle - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

sons of
υἱοὶ (huioi)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

the Most High;
Ὑψίστου (Hypsistou)
Adjective - Genitive Masculine Singular - Superlative
Strong's 5310: Highest, most high, the heights. Superlative from the base of hupsos; highest, i.e. the Supreme, or the heavens.

for
ὅτι (hoti)
Conjunction
Strong's 3754: Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.

He
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

is
ἐστιν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

kind
χρηστός (chrēstos)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5543: Useful, gentle, pleasant, kind. From chraomai; employed, i.e. useful.

to
ἐπὶ (epi)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

the
τοὺς (tous)
Article - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

ungrateful
ἀχαρίστους (acharistous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 884: Ungrateful, ungracious, unpleasing. Thankless, i.e. Ungrateful.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

wicked.
πονηρούς (ponērous)
Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural
Strong's 4190: Evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful.


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