Luke 6:27-36 teaches that followers of Jesus are to love their enemies, do good to people who harm them, and show mercy the way God shows mercy. Jesus does not treat this as a suggestion for especially devoted people. He presents it as the normal shape of life for those who belong to his kingdom, and he grounds it in the character of the Father.
These words come from the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel, delivered after Jesus chooses his twelve apostles and a large crowd gathers to hear him and be healed. The setting is a teaching moment on a level place, addressed first to disciples and then to the wider crowd listening in.
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 direct command: love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. He then names specific ways this looks in practice, such as blessing those who curse you, praying for those who mistreat you, not retaliating when struck, and giving generously even to someone who takes what is yours. The emphasis moves from the response to hostility toward generosity that does not demand repayment.
The passage then tests ordinary moral instincts. Jesus points out that people already love those who love them, and that even sinners do good to those who do good to them. The disciples are called to a higher standard, one that expects nothing back. The section closes with the reason: they will be children of the Most High, because God himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. The call is therefore to be merciful as the Father is merciful.
Context of Luke 6:27-36
Luke’s Gospel was written to a largely Gentile audience, and the author pays close attention to Jesus’ concern for the poor, the marginalized, and those excluded from honor. Traditionally Luke is identified as the companion of Paul and the author of Acts. The sermon in chapter 6 echoes the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 but is shorter and more direct, with its woes on the rich and the comfortable placed just before our passage.
The verses immediately before and after set the tone. The woes in verses 24-26 warn against complacency and the desire for human approval, while verses 37-38 move from love of enemies into judging, condemning, and giving. Our passage sits at the center of a larger teaching on how the kingdom of God reverses ordinary expectations about power, wealth, and reputation.
Luke 6:27-36 Verse by Verse
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 a parallel command to love enemies and pray for those who persecute you. The verse shows that this teaching was central to Jesus’ message and was carried into the wider tradition of his followers.
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 applies this same principle to conflict, urging believers to meet hostility with practical kindness. The verse shows how the call to love enemies takes concrete shape in everyday relationships.
A Prayer Based on Luke 6:27-36
Father, you have shown me mercy when I did not deserve it, and you continue to be kind to me even when I forget you. I confess that I often want to repay hurt with hurt and to love only those who make me feel comfortable. Teach me to bless those who wound me and to pray for those who mistreat me. Shape my heart so that my generosity looks more like yours each day. Help me to be merciful as you are merciful. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Luke 6:27-36 mean I must let people abuse me?
No, the passage calls for a non-retaliatory and merciful response, not for accepting harm without protection. Jesus is describing the posture of the heart and the refusal to return evil for evil. Wise boundaries and seeking safety remain consistent with this teaching.
What is the difference between Luke 6:27-36 and Matthew 5:38-48?
Both passages contain similar teaching on loving enemies and turning the other cheek, and many scholars see them as drawing on a common source. Luke’s version is shorter and includes its own emphasis on the reward and the family relationship with the Most High.
Why does Jesus say even sinners do good to those who do good to them?
Jesus uses this comparison to show that ordinary reciprocal kindness does not set disciples apart. The call is to a higher kind of love that reflects God’s generous character. The point is about the depth of discipleship, not a condemnation of everyone who is kind.
