Luke 6:32
What does Luke 6:32 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:32 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:32 means
Jesus challenged the conventional understanding of love, asking what credit is due if one only loves those who love them. He pointed out that even "sinners" (meaning non-disciples or those without spiritual understanding) naturally extend love to those who reciprocate it. This highlights that merely loving friends or benefactors is not a distinctly Christian virtue. True Kingdom love must surpass this worldly standard, demonstrating a higher, more selfless quality that extends even to adversaries, distinguishing disciples from ordinary human affection.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if ye love them that love you, what thank have ye? for even sinners love those that love them.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If you have love for those who have love for you, what credit is it to you? for even sinners have love for those who have love for them.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and--if ye love those loving you, what grace have ye? for also the sinful love those loving them;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if you love them that love you, what thanks are to you? For sinners also love those that love them.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And if ye love those that love you, what thank is it to you? for even sinners love those that love them.
Context
This verse begins a series of rhetorical questions and comparisons, challenging the disciples to move beyond conventional, reciprocal love. It sets up the standard of "even sinners" to highlight the inadequacy of merely loving those who love you. This immediately follows the Golden Rule, emphasizing that Kingdom ethics demand a greater, more transformative expression of love than what is naturally practiced in the world.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 5:46
For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
- 1 Peter 2:19
For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully.
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