Luke 6:35 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Love is often easiest where gratitude and return are likely. Jesus reaches into the harder places: injury, hostility, and need that may never be repaid. His command gives a concrete shape to mercy. It also reveals something of God's own character, which becomes the pattern for the life he calls his people to live.
Jesus commands his hearers to love enemies through generous action and lending without demanding return. Such mercy reflects the Highest, who is kind even to the unthankful and evil, and God promises great reward.
The Context of Luke 6:35
Luke 6:35 stands in Jesus' teaching on love for enemies. After commanding his hearers to do good to those who hate them, bless those who curse them, and pray for those who mistreat them, Jesus gives examples of open-handed endurance and generosity. He states the familiar measure of treating others as we would be treated. Verses 32-34 show that love, good deeds, and lending limited to those likely to return them do not display the distinctive mercy Jesus is teaching. Verse 36 immediately sums up the section: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."
What Does Luke 6:35 Mean?
Jesus gives three linked commands: "love," "do good," and "lend." Love here is active goodwill toward enemies, expressed in deeds and practical generosity. "Hoping for nothing again" concerns the expectation of return from a loan or gift. Jesus directs his hearers away from calculations that restrict kindness to profitable relationships. The command does not require carelessness, nor does it call evil good. It teaches a generous posture toward those who cannot, will not, or may never repay. In this setting, lending becomes one ordinary way mercy can take visible form among people whose needs and relationships are often complicated.
The reason Jesus gives reaches beyond social courtesy: "for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil." God continues to show kindness even to people who do not thank him and whose conduct is evil. This does not erase God's judgment of evil elsewhere in Scripture. It shows that his kindness is wider than the gratitude or goodness of those receiving it. Jesus promises a great reward and says, "ye shall be the children of the Highest." The surrounding verse explains the direction of that likeness: as children resemble a father, disciples are called to practice the mercy of their Father. Their conduct is formed by his character.
Jesus embodies the mercy he commands. In Luke's Gospel he welcomes needy people, heals, teaches, and bears opposition without returning hostility in kind. His prayer for those crucifying him is a particularly clear canonical witness to this pattern. The verse therefore does more than commend admirable conduct. It joins mercy toward enemies to the way of the Son of God, whose life discloses the Father's kindness. We cannot control whether generosity changes an enemy's heart or whether a loan returns. We can let Christ's mercy free our actions from retaliation and from the demand to secure ourselves through every exchange.
Bible Verses Related to Luke 6:35
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
- Matthew 5:44-45
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Romans 5:8
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
- Luke 23:34
“Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
- Romans 12:20-21
Where Luke 6:35 Echoes in Scripture
Romans 5:8 strongly echoes the logic of Luke 6:35 by describing God's love shown through Christ while people were still sinners. Paul speaks of God's decisive saving act; Luke records Jesus' command for disciples to love enemies. Together they show that mercy toward the undeserving has its deepest source in God. Christian generosity does not create God's kindness. It answers the kindness already displayed through Christ.
How to Apply Luke 6:35 Today
This teaching can shape everyday decisions about money, time, speech, and conflict. We may offer help without turning every act into a debt of gratitude. We can pray for someone who has harmed us, refuse revenge in our words, and look for a fitting good we can do. Wisdom still matters when trust has been broken, especially where safety, responsibility, or repeated harm is involved. Mercy can include clear boundaries and truthful speech. The aim is to let resentment lose its rule over us, while we leave repayment and final judgment in God's hands.
Reflection & Prayer
Whom do we find hardest to treat with active goodwill, especially when no thanks or return seems likely? Bring that person and our own woundedness before God. Suggested prayer: "Father, teach us thy mercy. Give us wise and generous hearts, guard us from revenge, and help our actions reflect the kindness thou hast shown through thy Son."