LUKE 6:27–36, LOVE FOR THE ENEMIES
DIVINE MERCY AS THE MEASURE OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
Introduction
Having proclaimed the blessings and woes that overturn human values, Jesus now moves to the heart of Christian morality: love that mirrors God’s own love. Addressing those who have chosen to listen and follow, Jesus does not lower the demands of discipleship but raises them to a divine level. In a world shaped by retaliation, honor, and self-interest, Jesus calls his disciples to a radically different way of life—one rooted not in instinct or reciprocity, but in mercy. This teaching reveals not only what God asks of us, but who God is.
Bible Passage (Luke 6:27–36)
Jesus said: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from the one who takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic. Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to be repaid in full. But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Background
This passage belongs to the Sermon on the Plain, addressed primarily to disciples. Jesus is not giving abstract ideals but concrete directives for daily life in a hostile world. His teaching builds upon the Old Testament command to love one’s neighbor, but goes beyond it by including enemies. This radical extension reflects God’s own covenant faithfulness and anticipates the mercy revealed fully in the cross.
Opening Life Connection
Most human relationships operate on fairness and exchange: kindness for kindness, respect for respect. When someone hurts us, our instinct is to withdraw, retaliate, or protect ourselves. Jesus speaks directly into this reality and asks: what makes a disciple different from the rest of the world? His answer is clear—divine love that refuses to be governed by resentment.
Verse-by-Verse / Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
Jesus begins with urgency: “But I say to you who hear me”. This teaching is not for casual listeners but for those willing to receive and obey. To “hear” in biblical language means to listen with the intention of acting.
He commands, “Love your enemies”. This is not emotional affection but a deliberate choice of the will. Love here means seeking the good of the other, even when the other seeks our harm.
Jesus immediately explains how such love looks in practice: “do good to those who hate you”. Love is not passive tolerance but active goodness. Hatred is met not with withdrawal but with concrete acts of care that disarm hostility.
He continues, “Bless those who curse you”. To bless is to speak good, to invoke God’s favor. Instead of responding with words that wound, the disciple responds with words that heal.
Then Jesus adds, “pray for those who mistreat you”. Prayer places the enemy before God and frees the heart from bitterness. In prayer, resentment is transformed into intercession.
Jesus uses strong imagery: “To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also”. This is not an invitation to abuse but a call to refuse the cycle of violence. It is a prophetic gesture that exposes injustice without mirroring it.
He adds, “from the one who takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic”. This hyperbolic language underscores radical generosity. The disciple refuses to cling to possessions when love is at stake.
Jesus says, “Give to everyone who asks of you”. This calls for discernment guided by mercy, not calculation. The heart of the command is openness, not exploitation.
He continues, “from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back”. The disciple values relationship and mercy over strict legal rights.
Jesus summarizes human ethics with the golden rule: “Do to others as you would have them do to you”. But here it is set within the context of loving enemies, elevating it beyond mere fairness.
He challenges ordinary morality: “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?”. Such love requires no conversion. It reflects natural instinct, not divine grace.
He emphasizes, “Even sinners love those who love them”. Jesus defines discipleship by what distinguishes believers from the world.
Again he asks, “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?”. Reciprocity is not the measure of Christian virtue.
He adds, “If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment”. Charity motivated by return is not charity in God’s eyes.
Jesus then restates his core command: “But rather, love your enemies and do good to them”. Repetition underscores importance.
He adds generosity: “lend expecting nothing back”. This reflects God’s own generosity, who gives without calculating return.
The promise follows: “your reward will be great”. God sees what the world overlooks.
Jesus reveals identity: “you will be children of the Most High”. To love like this is to resemble God.
He grounds the command in God’s nature: “for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked”. God’s mercy is not selective; it is generous and enduring.
Finally, Jesus concludes: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful”. Mercy is the summary of Christian life. It is not weakness but divine strength revealed in love.
Jewish Historical and Religious Context
While the Law commanded love of neighbor, rabbinic interpretation often limited its scope. Jesus restores the original intention of the Law by reflecting God’s universal mercy, rooted in the prophetic tradition.
Catholic Tradition and Teaching
The Church teaches that love of enemies is a mark of Christian perfection. This teaching is lived out in forgiveness, social charity, and reconciliation, and is inseparable from participation in the sacraments.
Historical or Saintly Illustration
Saint Stephen, the first martyr, prayed for his executioners as he was being stoned. His prayer echoes Jesus’ words on the cross and embodies this Gospel.
Application to Christian Life Today
This Gospel challenges believers to examine grudges, prejudices, and exclusions. It calls families, parishes, and societies to become spaces of mercy rather than retaliation.
Eucharistic Connection
In the Eucharist, Christ gives himself even to those who abandon him. Receiving this gift commits us to become instruments of the same mercy in the world.
Messages / Call to Conversion
-
Choose mercy over revenge in daily conflicts.
-
Pray sincerely for those who hurt or oppose you.
-
Practice generosity without calculating return.
-
Reflect God’s mercy in words, actions, and attitudes.
-
Resolve to break cycles of hatred through forgiveness.
Outline for Preachers
-
Context within the Sermon on the Plain
-
Life experience of retaliation and resentment
-
Key commands: love, bless, pray, give
-
Jewish background and correction of false teaching
-
Catholic understanding of mercy and charity
-
Saintly witness of loving enemies
-
Practical application in modern life
-
Eucharistic dimension of mercy
-
Central call to conversion and discipleship
