Luke 6:36 - Printer Friendly

Jesus has finished His explanation of how His followers should love their enemies: how they should behave. He now transitions to how they should think about their enemies. This verse acts as a hinge between the two topics and applies to both. Previously, Jesus explained that our enemies may insult us, abuse us, and take our possessions, but we still need to be open to Christ's work in their lives. We need to be ready to actively see that their needs are met and not expect to be repaid (Luke 6:27–34).

Jesus explains why: "your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil" (Luke 6:35). If we are God's children, we will emulate Him. Since He blesses the evil as well as the good, we should, too (Matthew 5:45).

To be merciful means to have sincere concern for someone else, especially when they are suffering or disadvantaged. God showed His mercy by sending His Son to die for our sins, even though we were His enemies (John 3:16; Romans 5:10). God expects us to emulate Him by seeking after the welfare of those who oppose us.

Jesus transitions from our actions to our understanding. We should be very reluctant to assume we know our enemies' motives. We cannot perfectly know their relationship with God (1 Samuel 16:7). We don't have God's wisdom and insight into the lives of others. Jesus' disciples will still call out ungodly behavior, but we need to carefully ensure our own actions align with God's commands before we try to judge others (Luke 6:37–42). Matthew reflects this when recording Jesus saying, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). To be "perfect" is to be complete, in this case in our merciful actions toward our enemies.

It's important to point out what this verse is not saying. The "enemies," here, are primarily those who persecute people who follow Christ (Luke 6:22). Nothing in this passage implies we should silently endure abuse from a violent spouse or other person in authority. Nor is it saying we must fulfill everyone's every need and want. Showing "mercy" can include calling the police, leaving to find a safe place, and choosing not to seek revenge while seeking further help.

Jesus said God was His Father, while in the temple at the age of twelve (Luke 2:49), but this is the first time Luke records Jesus saying God is His followers' Father, as well.

Luke 6:27–36 continues Jesus' teaching to a crowd about how His followers should live. He's explained how those who are burdened in this life due to faithfulness will find relief and those who are satisfied due to their unfaithfulness will find eternal hardship (Luke 6:20–26). Here, He commands His followers to love their enemies, a theme He will expound upon when He speaks about judging others (6:37–42). This is possible if the promises of Luke 6:22–23 are true. After explaining that our actions come from our hearts, Jesus will invite the crowd to base their identity in Him (Luke 6:43–49). Matthew 5:38–48 also speaks of loving one's enemies.

Luke 6 contains two main sections of teaching and calls to discipleship. Luke 6:1–16 continues the pattern of Luke 5. The two ways in which Jesus sets aside tradition—this time by taking authority over the Sabbath—are paired with His call for the Twelve disciples. Luke 6:17–49 records Jesus' teaching on the ''level place,'' or His ''Sermon on the Plain,'' and a call to a crowd for general discipleship. Much of this material has parallels in Matthew 5 through 7, but it's not clear if the two accounts are of the same event. As a travelling teacher, Christ likely gave the same general message multiple times.

Luke 6 completes Jesus' call for disciples and followers that started in Luke 5. Luke 5:1—6:16 consists of three calls for disciples, each paired with two revolutionary teachings about Jesus' authority that increasingly infuriate the religious leaders. Luke 6:17–49 continues the theme with a general call for followers and a description of their responsibilities. In Luke 7:1—8:3, Jesus interacts with the other: Gentiles, women, and even the dead. This is followed by another general call (Luke 8:4–21), a series of miracles (Luke 8:22—9:17), and a final call for the Twelve to follow Him even more deeply (Luke 9:18–50).

Luke was a traveling companion of Paul (Acts 16:10) and a physician (Colossians 4:14). Unlike Matthew, Mark, and John, Luke writes his gospel as an historian, rather than as a first-hand eyewitness. His extensive writings also include the book of Acts (Acts 1:1–3). These are deliberately organized, carefully researched accounts of those events. The gospel of Luke focuses on the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. Luke's Gentile perspective presents Christ as a Savior for all people, offering both forgiveness and direction to those who follow Him.