Luke 6:36
What does Luke 6:36 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 6:36 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 6:36 means
Jesus commanded His disciples, "Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful." This simple yet profound instruction encapsulates the essence of Kingdom ethics and serves as the overarching principle for living. It calls believers to mirror the merciful character of God, who extends compassion, forgiveness, and grace to all, especially the undeserving. Mercy, defined by God's own boundless love, is not merely an emotion but an active expression of compassion that permeates all aspects of a disciple's life, distinguishing them as His children.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Be ye merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Be full of pity, even as your Father is full of pity.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862be ye therefore merciful, as also your Father is merciful.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Be ye therefore merciful, even as your Father also is merciful.
Context
This verse provides the central, overarching command for Christian living: to embody God's mercy. It serves as a foundational call to imitate the divine character, drawing together all the preceding radical commands of enemy-love and generosity. This call to mercy immediately precedes specific instructions on non-judgment and forgiveness, showing how an merciful heart influences all interpersonal interactions.
v.35But 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.
v.36This passage
v.37And judge not, and ye shall not be judged: and condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: release, and ye shall be released:
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ephesians 5:1
Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children;
- Matthew 5:48
Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
- Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice:
- 1 Peter 1:15
but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living;
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