Luke 6:35
But 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.
Original Language Analysis
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐχθροὺς
enemies
G2190
ἐχθροὺς
enemies
Strong's:
G2190
Word #:
4 of 31
hateful (passively, odious, or actively, hostile); usually as a noun, an adversary (especially satan)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
μισθὸς
reward
G3408
μισθὸς
reward
Strong's:
G3408
Word #:
15 of 31
pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad
πολύς
great
G4183
πολύς
great
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
17 of 31
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 31
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
υἱοὶ
the children
G5207
υἱοὶ
the children
Strong's:
G5207
Word #:
20 of 31
a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
21 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑψίστου
of the Highest
G5310
ὑψίστου
of the Highest
Strong's:
G5310
Word #:
22 of 31
highest, i.e., (masculine singular) the supreme (god), or (neuter plural) the heavens
ὅτι
for
G3754
ὅτι
for
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
23 of 31
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
αὐτὸς
he
G846
αὐτὸς
he
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
24 of 31
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
χρηστός
kind
G5543
χρηστός
kind
Strong's:
G5543
Word #:
25 of 31
employed, i.e., (by implication) useful (in manner or morals)
ἐπὶ
unto
G1909
ἐπὶ
unto
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
27 of 31
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
28 of 31
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
John 13:35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.Proverbs 19:17He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.Psalms 145:9The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.Proverbs 22:9He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.2 Corinthians 8:9For 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 be rich.Psalms 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.Psalms 37:26He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed.John 15:8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.Acts 14:17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.Luke 1:32He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Historical Context
Ancient honor-shame culture valued vengeance and retribution—harming enemies maintained honor. 'Love your neighbor' was accepted, but 'your neighbor' was narrowly defined, often excluding enemies and Gentiles. Jesus radicalizes Old Testament ethics, commanding love even for enemies. This teaching distinguished Jesus' ethics from both Jewish and Greco-Roman morality. Early Christians' practice of enemy love astonished pagans and demonstrated the gospel's power to transform. Jesus Himself modeled this, praying for His crucifiers (Luke 23:34) and loving those who hated Him.
Questions for Reflection
- How does loving enemies demonstrate family resemblance to God and prove authentic conversion?
- What does God's kindness to the unthankful and evil teach about the nature of grace and how we should treat others?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Jesus commands: 'Love your enemies, 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.' This radical ethic of enemy love reflects God's character—He shows kindness to those who don't deserve or appreciate it. The phrase 'children of the Highest' (Greek 'huioi hypsistou,' υἱοὶ ὑψίστου) means bearing family resemblance—loving enemies proves we're God's children because we act like our Father. Grace-based love mirrors divine love that blesses the undeserving.