Luke 6:35 – “But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
In this verse, Jesus teaches His followers to embrace a radically different approach to relationships—one rooted in selfless love, kindness, and generosity. He commands believers to love their enemies and to do good even to those who oppose them. This love is not based on feelings or emotions but on a decision to act with compassion and mercy.
When Jesus says to lend “without expecting to get anything back,” He is challenging His followers to give freely, trusting that God will reward them in His time. The promise of a “great reward” is not about material gain but about spiritual blessings and the joy of living in obedience to God. Those who live this way demonstrate that they are true “children of the Most High,” reflecting God’s character.
The final part of the verse reveals the reason for this teaching: God Himself is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. If God can show mercy and grace to those who don’t deserve it, then His children should do the same. This verse calls for a kind of love that transcends human logic, one that imitates the mercy and generosity of God.
Historical Context
During Jesus’ time, love and kindness were often limited to those within one’s community or social circle. The concept of loving one’s enemies was countercultural, especially in a society where revenge and retaliation were considered justified responses to mistreatment. The Jewish law included commands to love one’s neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), but many interpreted this as applying only to fellow Jews, not to outsiders or enemies.
Roman-occupied Israel was filled with tension and hostility, especially toward the oppressive Roman authorities. Many Jews longed for justice and revenge against their enemies. Jesus’ command to love enemies and do good to them would have been difficult for His audience to accept. However, Jesus was introducing a new way of living that went beyond cultural norms—one that reflected God’s kingdom, where love, mercy, and forgiveness take precedence over hatred and retaliation.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the central theme of grace in the Christian faith. Grace is the idea of giving love and mercy to those who don’t deserve it, and this verse calls believers to extend that same grace to others. By loving their enemies and doing good without expecting repayment, believers demonstrate the transformative power of God’s grace in their lives.
Theologically, this verse also emphasizes the relationship between God’s character and the behavior of His children. To be called a “child of the Most High” means to reflect God’s nature. Just as God is kind to the ungrateful and wicked, believers are called to show kindness to those who may never return the favor.
The promise of a “great reward” points to the eternal blessings that come from living in obedience to God. While the world may not reward acts of selfless love, God sees and honors those who live according to His will.
Literary Analysis
Luke 6:35 is structured as a command followed by a promise. The command includes three key actions: love your enemies, do good, and lend without expecting anything in return. These actions require intentionality and self-sacrifice, reflecting the high standard of love that Jesus expects from His followers.
The phrase “Then your reward will be great” serves as a transition, connecting the act of selfless love to the reward that God promises. The reference to being “children of the Most High” highlights the connection between behavior and identity. Believers don’t act this way to earn their status as God’s children—they act this way because they already are His children, and their behavior reflects their relationship with Him.
The mention of God’s kindness to the ungrateful and wicked is significant because it sets the standard for how believers are to treat others. Just as God’s kindness is undeserved, so too should the kindness of believers be given freely, without conditions.
Biblical Cross-References
- Matthew 5:44-45 – “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
- Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Proverbs 25:21-22 – “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Titus 3:4-5 – “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.”
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christians, this verse is a call to live out their faith in practical and radical ways. Loving enemies and showing kindness to those who oppose or mistreat us is one of the most challenging aspects of the Christian life, but it is also one of the most powerful testimonies of God’s grace.
This verse encourages believers to examine their motives for doing good. Are they only kind to those who can repay them or show gratitude? Or are they willing to love and give even when it’s inconvenient or costly? True Christian love is not about receiving anything in return—it’s about reflecting the love that God has already shown.
Additionally, this verse reminds Christians to trust in God’s reward rather than seeking recognition or repayment from others. Even if the world does not acknowledge their acts of kindness, believers can be confident that God sees and honors their faithfulness.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is the foundation of this teaching. He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked, providing for them even when they don’t acknowledge Him. His love is patient, forgiving, and unconditional, and He calls His followers to reflect that same love in their relationships with others.
This verse also demonstrates God’s generosity. Just as He gives freely to all people, believers are called to give without expecting anything in return. God’s love doesn’t depend on human merit, and His kindness is available to everyone. By imitating His love, believers participate in God’s mission of extending grace and mercy to the world.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jesus perfectly embodied this teaching throughout His life and ministry. He loved and served those who were considered outcasts, sinners, and enemies of society. He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and forgave those who rejected Him. His ultimate act of loving His enemies was dying on the cross for the salvation of humanity.
Even as He was being crucified, Jesus prayed for His enemies, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). His selfless love and sacrifice provide the ultimate example for believers to follow.
Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for believers to love their enemies and do good without expecting anything in return. His life, death, and resurrection empower Christians to live by the standards of God’s kingdom, not the world’s.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Who in your life might be considered an “enemy,” and how can you show them love and kindness this week?
- How do you typically respond when someone is ungrateful or mistreats you? How can this verse challenge you to respond differently?
- What does it mean to lend or give without expecting anything in return in today’s context?
- How does trusting in God’s promise of a “great reward” help you live out this teaching, even when it’s difficult?
- In what ways can Jesus’ example of loving His enemies inspire you to reflect God’s love in your relationships?