Meaning of Luke 6:27

This command from Jesus in Luke 6:27, "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you," is a radical and counter-cultural ethical imperative that lies at the heart of his teachings on the Kingdom of God. It is not a suggestion but a directive, addressed to those who are actively receiving and considering his words. The Greek word for "love" used here, agape, signifies a selfless, unconditional, and volitional love, distinct from mere affection or emotional fondness. This love extends even to those who actively oppose, harm, or despise the follower of Christ. It demands an active engagement of doing good, actively seeking the welfare of those who wish ill upon you, a stark contrast to the natural human inclination for retribution and self-preservation.

Context and Background

This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain in Luke, which parallels the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. Jesus is addressing his disciples and a larger crowd, laying out the fundamental principles of life in the Kingdom of God. The preceding verses (Luke 6:20-26) describe the blessings bestowed upon the poor, hungry, weeping, and hated, and the woes pronounced upon the rich, full, laughing, and well-spoken of. This beatitude structure sets up the radical nature of Jesus' ethical demands; the Kingdom of God operates on entirely different principles than the prevailing social and political structures of the day, which often prioritized power, self-interest, and retaliation. Jesus is not advocating for a passive acceptance of injustice but for an active, divine-like response to hostility.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are unconditional love (agape), active benevolence, and radical forgiveness. Jesus is challenging the conventional wisdom of "an eye for an eye" and demonstrating that true righteousness, as defined by God's character, transcends human reciprocity. The message is that followers of Christ are to reflect God's own love, which is extended to all, regardless of their response. This love is not earned but is a gift, and it is to be emulated. The emphasis on "doing good" signifies concrete actions, not just internal feelings, demonstrating that this love is to be expressed outwardly.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this command calls for a profound transformation of the heart, moving away from self-centeredness and toward a God-centered perspective. It requires reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower believers to act against their natural inclinations. The application involves consciously choosing to respond to antagonism with kindness, to insult with prayer for the offender, and to harm with acts of service. This is not about being a doormat but about actively disarming hostility through the power of divine love, demonstrating a higher moral and spiritual authority that can ultimately lead to reconciliation and transformation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This teaching is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the concept of God's faithfulness and mercy towards an unfaithful people. Leviticus 19:18 instructs, "Love your neighbor as yourself," and while "neighbor" was often understood in a limited sense, Jesus expands this to include enemies. Furthermore, the principle of overcoming evil with good is foreshadowed in the prophetic call for justice and righteousness. Ultimately, this command finds its ultimate expression in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus himself, who loved his enemies even unto death on the cross, praying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34).

Analogies

Consider a gardener who, instead of pulling out weeds that choke out the crops, chooses to nurture the soil around them, hoping to encourage healthier growth in the long run, even for the weeds themselves. Or imagine a skilled craftsman who, instead of discarding flawed materials, finds a way to incorporate the imperfections into a unique and beautiful design. These analogies, while imperfect, illustrate the principle of not merely tolerating but actively working towards the good of that which is perceived as detrimental or flawed.

Relation to Other Verses

This teaching is echoed in numerous other passages:

• Matthew 5:38-48: Jesus elaborates extensively on this principle in the Sermon on the Mount, contrasting his teaching with the "eye for an eye" law and calling for a perfection that reflects the Father in heaven who sends his rain on the just and the unjust.
• Romans 12:14, 17, 20-21: Paul directly instructs believers to "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse," and to "Never pay back evil for evil... If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
• 1 Peter 3:9: Peter writes, "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because of this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing."
• 1 John 4:7-8: The Apostle John connects love to God's very nature, stating, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God... Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."