Luke 6:27 Meaning: Love Your Enemies, What Jesus Really Meant
“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
But I say unto you that hear, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you,
`But I say to you who are hearing, Love your enemies, do good to those hating you,
But to you that hear I say, Love your enemies; do good to those that hate you;
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus commands love for enemies in Luke 6:27, fulfilling the heart of the OT law. Learn what this radical love looks like today.
Context
Jesus has just pronounced blessings on the poor and hungry and woes on the rich and comfortable. Now He turns to the crowd that has gathered, people from all over who came to hear him. Luke tells us these words are for everyone who has ears to hear, not just disciples. The verse opens a section where Jesus shows what the kingdom of God looks like in daily life. He pushes past the traditions the scribes and Pharisees taught, reaching back to the heart of the Old Testament. Passages like Exodus 23:4 and Proverbs 25:21 had already told God's people to help an enemy in need. But the teachers of Jesus' day had added exceptions and loopholes. Jesus cuts through all that with a single, startling command.
Key Words
Two Greek words carry the weight here. The verb for 'love' is agapaō. It does not mean warm feelings or liking someone. It means to actively will their good, to welcome them and treat them with kindness, whether you feel like it or not. That is why Jesus pairs it with 'do good' (kalōs poieite), which means to act in a way that is beautiful, noble, and right. Love here is something you do, not something you feel.
The other key word is 'hear' (akouō). It means more than sound hitting your eardrums. It carries the sense of listening in order to obey. Jesus is not offering a suggestion. He is giving a command that expects a response. The same word appears in Revelation: 'He who has an ear, let him hear.' So this verse asks: Are we really listening to what Jesus says, or are we picking and choosing what feels possible?
How Christians Read This Verse
Most Christian traditions read this verse as the fulfillment of the Old Testament law, not a contradiction. The Cambridge Bible notes that the law already said to help your enemy's ox or give bread to the hungry enemy. But by Jesus' day, many rabbis had focused on war passages that allowed hatred of enemies, so Jesus restores the original intent. Matthew Henry writes that these are 'lessons of universal concern' for everyone, not just a few. Wesley agrees that Jesus now speaks to all hearers, not a special group. Across denominations, Anglican, Reformed, Baptist, Methodist, the consistent reading is that Jesus calls for an active, practical love that mirrors God's own kindness to the ungrateful and evil.
A common misunderstanding
Some people read 'love your enemies' and think it means you have to feel warm affection toward someone who has hurt you. In fact, the Greek word agapaō points to action, not emotion. You can love an enemy by choosing their good, praying for them, refusing revenge, helping in a practical way, even when your heart still hurts. Jesus does not command you to feel what you cannot feel. He commands you to do what you can do, and let the feelings follow in time.
Living This Out
Think of one person this week who opposes you or has hurt you. It could be a coworker, a relative, or someone in your community. Jesus asks you to do two concrete things: love them and do good to them. That does not mean you pretend the hurt did not happen or return to an unsafe situation. But it might mean you pray for them by name, send a kind text, or stop replaying the offense in your mind. Start small, one good deed, one prayer. Let the command shape your actions before your feelings catch up.
Main takeaway: Jesus calls us to actively love our enemies, showing the same mercy God shows to the ungrateful and wicked.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Jesus says to love even people who are mean to us. That means we can be kind to them, share our toys, and pray for them. It is hard, but God helps us.
For ages 9, 12
Loving your enemies is one of the hardest things Jesus asks. It does not mean you have to be best friends with someone who hurts you, but you can still do good to them, like saying a kind word or not getting revenge. Jesus did this when people put Him on the cross. He prayed for them. Ask God to give you a heart like that.
Questions People Ask
What does 'love your enemies' mean in Luke 6:27?
It means actively willing the good of someone who is against you. The Greek word agapaō is about action, not warm feelings. You show love by doing good to them, as Jesus explains in the following verses.
Does Luke 6:27 mean we have to like our enemies?
No. The Bible does not command us to feel a certain emotion. It commands us to treat them with kindness and seek their good. Feelings may change over time, but the command to act in love stands whether you feel like it or not.
How does Luke 6:27 relate to the Old Testament?
Jesus is not starting something new. The Old Testament already said to help your enemy's ox (Exodus 23:4) and give food to a hungry enemy (Proverbs 25:21). But by Jesus’ day, teachers had focused on verses that allowed hatred, so He restores the law’s original heart.
Who is Jesus speaking to in Luke 6:27?
He is speaking to 'you who hear', the crowd gathered around Him, not only His disciples. Matthew Henry notes these are 'lessons of universal concern.' So this command is for every Christian, not just a special few.
What does 'do good to those who hate you' look like practically?
It can be small: praying for them, giving a genuine compliment, helping when they are in need, refusing to spread gossip about them. Jesus shows this in verse 29-31, where He talks about turning the other cheek and giving generously.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study