Notes on Luke 6:27-37

Luke 6:27

love your enemies. There was a tradition among the Jews that said love your neighbors and hate your enemies (Matt. 5:43). Jesus pushed against that, making clear the high standard of love he expected of his disciples. This went beyond similar teachings in the Old Testament (Exod. 23:4-5; Prov. 17:5; 24:17; 25:21-22; Job 31:29-34). do good. Jesus did not leave his command to love enemies as something vague. He gave specific directions about how to obey it. Christian love is active in doing good, even toward those who show hatred.

Luke 6:28

Rather than speak negatively about one's enemies, Jesus's disciples bless them. Moreover, they pray for their well-being (1 Pet. 3:16). Jesus himself left an example of such love (23:32-38).

Luke 6:29

strikes you. In that day, a slap across the face in Jesus's day was more about insulting a person than assaulting them (6:22; Isa. 50:6). Christian love doesn't retaliate (1 Pet. 3:9). This is meant to be understood on a personal rather than governmental level. Takes … your coat. An abusive situation, such as a robbery. Jesus said that if someone is so desperate so as to steal your coat, give them your shirt (tunic) too. Loving disciples respond differently than the world.

Luke 6:30

When someone asks for help, Christians give it instead of grumbling or resenting the person (see Deut. 15:7-11; Ps. 37:21, 26; Prov. 19:17; 21:26b). Jesus's disciples have hope in God, not their belongings. Thus, they hold loosely to what they possess. Nevertheless, wisdom is needed (see 2 Thess. 3:6-13). See WLC 141.

Luke 6:31

Often called the Golden Rule, this verse is a summary of what comes before it (vv. 27-29). A similar statement is found in many other teachings and philosophies, but always in the negative: don't do to others what you don't want them to do to you. However, Jesus taught that his disciples should not simply keep from doing harm but be active in doing good. Christian love lives this out toward enemies as well as friends.

Luke 6:32-34

Jesus gave three illustrations that show how Christian love is distinct from the world's ideas of love. It goes beyond reciprocity (see 14:12-14) toward that which is sacrificial. Christian love costs something.

Luke 6:35

love . . . do good . . . lend. Jesus reiterated the importance of his previous instructions (vv. 32-34). reward. Not the gain of earthly riches, but heavenly joy (12:33-34). sons of the Most High. Children resemble their parents. For those that follow Jesus, his Father becomes their Father (Rom. 8:12-15; Gal. 4:1-7). Therefore, his disciples should seek to imitate their Father (Matt. 5:9, 48). See HC 110.

Luke 6:36

merciful. Here is the underlying reason why we should love the way Jesus tells us to love—because this is how God loves. He is kind to the ungrateful and evil. He is merciful to those who don't deserve it, even his people (see Rom. 5:8; 9:23; 1 John 4:19). See HC 107.

Luke 6:37

judge. This cannot be an absolute prohibition because Jesus elsewhere encourages making judgments (John 7:24) even as he did (11:39-52; Matt. 12:34). Rather, he is speaking about a judgmental attitude toward others. It is seen in an undue harshness towards others. This kind of judging assumes the worst in people and springs from an attitude of self-righteousness (Rom 2:1-3). It seeks to condemn individuals before all the facts are known. This is antithetical to Christian love (see Matt. 12:7; Jam. 5:6). Forgive. Forgiveness is about not holding their actions against them in the relationship. It's about letting go of feelings of anger or hatred toward a person. Jesus's disciples should be marked by forgiveness because they have been forgiven by God (Pss. 103:8-12; 111:4; see Matt. 6:14). See HC 112.

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