Luke 6:28 Meaning: Blessing When Cursed? Christ Prayed So We Can Too
bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.
Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.
bless those cursing you, and pray for those accusing you falsely;
bless those that curse you; pray for those who use you despitefully.
Meaning in one sentence
Jesus commands us to bless and pray for those who mistreat us. Discover how His own example on the cross makes this possible.
Context
Luke places these words in the Sermon on the Plain, where Jesus addresses a crowd of disciples and others. He has just pronounced blessings and woes, turning expectations upside down. Then comes the hard teaching: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, and, as verse 28 sharpens it, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. The instruction sits inside a longer passage on radical generosity and mercy, climaxing in the command to be merciful as the Father is merciful. For Luke’s original readers, many of whom faced hostility, this was a concrete daily test. And Luke highlights that Jesus himself lived this command at the very end of the Gospel, when he prayed for those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). The command is not an ideal; it is the pattern of the Son.
Key Words
Two Greek verbs carry the action here, both in the present tense, suggesting a continuing habit. The first, eulogeō, means to speak well of someone or to invoke God’s blessing on them. It is the same word used at the Last Supper when Jesus blessed the bread. The second, kataraomai, is the opposite: to curse, wish harm, or consign to doom. Jesus tells us to actively replace that impulse with blessing. Then he adds a second action: proseuchomai, to pray. Not just think kindly, but bring the person before God. The word behind “mistreat” (epēreazō) is especially vivid. It means to insult, threaten, or falsely accuse. This is not a slight annoyance; this is real harm. The Cambridge Bible notes that Luke uses this same verb in describing Jesus’ treatment on the cross and Stephen’s stoning. So Jesus calls us to respond to genuine mistreatment, which hurts, with prayer and blessing. That is not human instinct; it is divine enablement.
How Christians Read This Verse
Commentators from various traditions connect this command to Christ’s example. The Cambridge Bible (Anglican) notes that Jesus himself prayed for his killers (Luke 23:34), and Stephen followed that pattern (Acts 7:60). The Geneva Bible (Reformed) simply quotes the verse, indicating its straightforward demand. Gill’s Exposition (Baptist) points to Christ’s own practice. All affirm that the power to bless and pray when cursed comes only through the Spirit’s work, as we look to the One who went before us. The command is not left as an impossible ideal; it is modeled and enabled by the Savior.
A common misunderstanding
Some read this as a command to remain silent in the face of all injustice or never to defend oneself against false accusations. In fact, Jesus himself spoke truth to his accusers and challenged hypocrisy. But his ultimate response, blessing and prayer, shows the heart posture behind this verse. The word for “mistreat” (epēreazō) includes false accusations, precisely what Jesus endured. He corrected lies and yet prayed, “Father, forgive them.” The command is not about surrendering your rights to every unjust system; it is about refusing to let cursing and mistreatment turn your heart toward retaliation.
Living This Out
This week, think of one person who has spoken against you or treated you unfairly. It could be a coworker who takes credit for your work, a friend who spread a rumor, or a relative who dismisses you. Jesus gives you two specific actions: speak a blessing over them, and pray for them. You might say aloud to yourself or to God about them: “Lord, bless this person.” Then ask God to meet their needs. That doesn’t mean pretending the hurt didn’t happen. You can acknowledge the pain. But the command channels your energy into something other than bitterness. It is not easy. But it is the path Jesus walked. In blessing and praying, you find yourself becoming more like the Father who is kind to the unthankful and evil (Luke 6:35).
Main takeaway: When people curse and mistreat us, our call is to bless and pray, following the example of Jesus on the cross.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When someone is mean to you, you can say something nice about them in your heart or out loud. You can also talk to God about them and ask Him to help them.
For ages 9, 12
This verse is one of the hardest in the Bible. Jesus tells us that when someone curses us (says mean things) or treats us badly, we should bless them (say good things) and pray for them. That doesn’t mean we pretend it doesn’t hurt, or that we have to let them keep hurting us. But it means we don’t let their badness make us bad. We let God handle it and we ask Him to be good to them. Jesus did this when He was on the cross. He prayed for the people who were hurting Him. You can do that too.
Questions People Ask
What does it mean to bless someone who curses you?
To bless means to speak well of them or to ask God to do good to them. It doesn't mean you approve of their actions. It means you choose to wish them well instead of seeking revenge.
Does this verse mean I have to stay in an abusive situation?
No. Jesus is talking about personal insults and mistreatment, not ongoing abuse. He himself sometimes left hostile crowds. This command is about your heart response, not about disregarding wisdom and safety.
How did Jesus obey this command?
On the cross, Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). He blessed His persecutors and prayed for them. Stephen, the first martyr, did the same (Acts 7:60).
Is this command only for words, or for actions too?
The command specifically says 'bless' and 'pray,' which involve words and heart. But the context shows actions as well: love, do good, give. So it includes both.
What if I can't feel blessing or prayer in my heart?
This command is about obedience, not feelings. You can choose to speak a blessing or pray even when you don't feel it. Over time, your heart may follow. God's grace works in your will first.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study