The Meaning of Luke 6:31 Explained

Luke 6:31

KJV: And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

YLT: and as ye wish that men may do to you, do ye also to them in like manner;

Darby: And as ye wish that men should do to you, do ye also to them in like manner.

ASV: And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And  as  ye would  that  men  should do  to you,  do  ye  also  to them  likewise. 

What does Luke 6:31 Mean?

Verse Meaning

This hyperbolic command summarizes the duty of a disciple regarding love of enemies, and all people for that matter. We should be willing and ready to sacrifice ourselves and what we have for the welfare of others. This "Golden Rule" was not original with Jesus, though He made it positive and strengthened it (cf. Tobit 4:15; Leviticus 19:18). [1]

Context Summary

Luke 6:27-38 - How To Treat Our Fellow-Men
Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount differs from that of Matthew, only as each views the great discourse from his own standpoint. By one it is viewed as the manifesto of the King; by the other, as the proclamation of "the Man Christ Jesus" to man.
Notice the secret of blessedness! Here is the draught-sketch of a life of abounding blessing, overflowing with mercy and lovingkindness. With what measure we mete out our love to men, they will measure back their love to us, using our own measures for the purpose.
Each of these Beatitudes is a gateway into blessedness. It is not that blessedness is the reward of virtue, but it is the necessary and invariable result. Only we must be good, because it is right and God-pleasing to be so, and the blessedness will be as natural as the bloom on the peach. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 6

1  Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12  chooses apostles;
17  heals the diseased;
20  preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27  Love your Enemy
37  Do not Judge
43  A Tree and Its Fruit
46  The House on the Rock

Greek Commentary for Luke 6:31

As ye would [κατως τελετε]
In Matthew 7:12 the Golden Rule begins: Παντα οσα εαν τελητε — Panta hosa ean thelēte Luke has “likewise” (ομοιως — homoiōs) where Matthew has ουτως — houtōs See note on Matthew 7:12 for discussion of the saying. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 6:31

Matthew 7:12 That men should do unto you [ινα ποιωσιν μν οι αντρωποι]
Luke (Luke 6:31) puts the Golden Rule parallel with Matthew 5:42. The negative form is in Tobit 4:15. It was used by Hillel, Philo, Isocrates, Confucius. “The Golden Rule is the distilled essence of that ‹fulfilment‘ (Matthew 5:17) which is taught in the sermon” (McNeile). Jesus puts it in positive form. [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 6:31 mean?

And as you desire that should do to you - men do to them likewise
καὶ καθὼς θέλετε ἵνα ποιῶσιν ὑμῖν οἱ ἄνθρωποι ποιεῖτε αὐτοῖς ὁμοίως

θέλετε  you  desire 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: θέλω  
Sense: to will, have in mind, intend.
ἵνα  that 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἵνα  
Sense: that, in order that, so that.
ποιῶσιν  should  do 
Parse: Verb, Present Subjunctive Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ποιέω  
Sense: to make.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
οἱ  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἄνθρωποι  men 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Plural
Root: ἄνθρωπος  
Sense: a human being, whether male or female.
αὐτοῖς  to  them 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Root: αὐτός  
Sense: himself, herself, themselves, itself.
ὁμοίως  likewise 
Parse: Adverb
Root: ὁμοίως  
Sense: likewise, equally, in the same way.

What are the major concepts related to Luke 6:31?

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