Matthew 7:12
What does Matthew 7:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 7:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 7:12 means
This verse presents the 'Golden Rule,' a foundational principle for ethical living. It commands believers to treat others in the same way they desire to be treated. This isn't merely passive non-harm, but active, positive engagement—doing good to others as we would wish good done to ourselves. Jesus declares this principle to be the summary of 'the Law and the Prophets,' meaning it encapsulates the heart of God's moral and ethical expectations revealed in the Old Testament. It's a comprehensive guide for how kingdom citizens should interact with the world.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the law and the prophets.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949All those things, then, which you would have men do to you, even so do you to them: because this is the law and the prophets.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`All things, therefore, whatever ye may will that men may be doing to you, so also do to them, for this is the law and the prophets.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752All things therefore whatsoever you would that men should do to you, do you also to them. For this is the law and the prophets.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Therefore all things whatever ye desire that men should do to you, thus do ye also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Context
Following the discourse on prayer and God's fatherly goodness, this verse transitions to a universally applicable ethical principle. It connects the personal relationship with God to outward conduct towards others, emphasizing that loving God leads to loving one's neighbor. This 'Golden Rule' serves as a pivotal summary of righteousness before Jesus moves into a section warning about the crucial choices in life and the discernment needed to navigate spiritual dangers.
v.11If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
v.12This passage
v.13Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 5:14
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so Jehovah, the God of hosts, will be with you, as ye say.
- Jeremiah 7:5
For if ye thoroughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye thoroughly execute justice between a man and his neighbor;
- Mark 12:29
Jesus answered, The first is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God, the Lord is one:
- Zechariah 7:7
Should ye not hear the words which Jehovah cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, and the South and the lowland were inhabited?
- Matthew 22:39
And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
- Galatians 5:13
For ye, brethren, were called for freedom; only use not your freedom for an occasion to the flesh, but through love be servants one to another.
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