Luke 6:35
What does Luke 6:35 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:35 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:35 means
Contrasting with worldly reciprocity, Jesus commanded His disciples to "love your enemies, and do them good, and lend, never despairing." He promised that their reward would be great, and they would be called "sons of the Most High," because God Himself is kind to the unthankful and the evil. This summarizes the radical ethics: selfless love, active benevolence, and generous giving without expectation of return. Emulating God's kindness even to His adversaries is the hallmark of true children of God, demonstrating a divine nature and securing an eternal reward.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But be loving to those who are against you and do them good, and give them your money, not giving up hope, and your reward will be great and you will be the sons of the Most High: for he is kind to evil men, and to those who have hard hearts.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`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;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But 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.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return, and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be sons of [the] Highest; for he is good to the unthankful and wicked.
Context
This verse directly answers the preceding questions about reciprocal love, good deeds, and lending, providing the counter-cultural command for disciples. It re-emphasizes loving enemies and performing sacrificial acts without expectation of return. The promise of being "sons of the Most High" links these radical ethics directly to God's character, providing motivation for the commands for mercy and non-judgment that follow.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Proverbs 19:17
He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto Jehovah, And his good deed will he pay him again.
- Proverbs 22:9
He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; For he giveth of his bread to the poor.
- Luke 6:27
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you,
- 2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might become rich.
- Romans 5:8
But God commendeth his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
- 1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.
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