Mt 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
Summary Notes
Say What?!
Jesus’ command to “Love you enemies,” was radically different from what the people of Israel had been taught up until that time.
Why would He say this?
In Jesus’ day people were taught to love their neighbors but to hate their enemies. But I think that Jesus was trying to point out that our enemies are people too. In my response to them and their actions I should consider this fundamental fact.
Click here for my personal application and your comments link …or Scroll down for my FULL NOTES and references…
COMMAND 19: “…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
Mt 5:44 also Lk 6:27-28, 35
RECIPIENT: To the disciples in the hearing of the crowds on the mountain
Mt 5:1-2 When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…
CONTEXT: A continuation of the Sermon on the Mount
Mt 5:38-43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’ 39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
43“You have heard that it was said, `YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.”
Similar context in Lk 6:24-34
COMMAND FULL TEXT AND IMMEDIATE RESULT:
Mt 5:44-45 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on {the} evil and {the} good, and sends rain on {the} righteous and {the} unrighteous.”
Lk 6:27b-28 “…love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. “
Lk 6:35a “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.”
RESULT:
Mt 7:28-29; 8:1 When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; 29for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
1When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him.
Lk 7:1 When He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, He went to Capernaum.
COMMENT:
Notice the significant difference in the New American Standard Bible (NASB) version versus the King James Version (KJV) version below. The difference is due to the fact that the more modern NASB translators had access to more ancient manuscripts than the translators of the KJV in the 1600s and those more ancient manuscripts did not include the additional words. Of course there is controversy regarding which translation is correct. Either way, the overall meaning of the verse is not changed substantially.
KJV Mt 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
NASB Mt 5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
Other relevant verses:
Psalms 109 is a prayer of King David. It is a good example of the radical difference of what Jesus was saying to the people of Israel and what they had been taught as acceptable up until that time.
Ps 109:1-9+ For the choir director. A Psalm of David. O God of my praise, Do not be silent! 2For they have opened the wicked and deceitful mouth against me; They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. 3They have also surrounded me with words of hatred, And fought against me without cause. 4In return for my love they act as my accusers; But I am in prayer. 5Thus they have repaid me evil for good And hatred for my love. 6Appoint a wicked man over him, And let an accuser stand at his right hand. 7When he is judged, let him come forth guilty, And let his prayer become sin. 8Let his days be few; Let another take his office. 9Let his children be fatherless And his wife a widow… King David’s prayer continues on.
Comparing King David’s prayer with the teachings of Jesus’ disciples below shows an incredible contrast of attitude.
Ro 12:17-19 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath {of God,} for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
1T 5:15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people.
1 P 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe {them,} glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 P 3:11 “HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.
DEFINITIONS: Key Greek Words – Removes ambiguity of the Bible text.
love: G25 ἀγαπάω ag-ap-ah’-ō — love as a decision that meets basic needs (as a parent loves his or her children with food, shelter, instruction, etcetera)
enemies: G2190 ἐχθρός ekh-thros — an adversary
persecute: G1377 διώκω dee-ō-kō — to pursue
bless: G2127 εὐλογέω yoo-log-eh’-ō — speak well of, praise
curse: G2672 καταράομαι kat-ar-ah’-om-ahee — to curse
do good: G4160 G2573 ποιέω καλῶς poy-eh’-ō kal-oce’ — make (or do) well
hating: G3404 μισέω mis-eh’-ō — to detest (especially to persecute)
mistreat: G1908 ἐπηρεάζω ep-ay-reh-ad’-zō — to insult, slander
MY PERSONAL APPLICATION: I encourage you to make your own application and please share it in the comments
I will demonstrate love to my enemies as best that I can within the context of the situation. If possible I will take thought to place myself in their position and to consider kindness as a way to open an opportunity for reconciliation. I will demonstrate graciousness and patience because these are admirable character qualities whereas anger and vengeance are not.
© 2018 Christopher Carlson