Luke 6:28 - Blessing Those Who Persecute You
Exposition of Luke 6:28
Luke 6:28 instructs Jesus' followers to "bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" [1]. This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, where he teaches his disciples about the kingdom of God and how to live as his followers.
The surrounding verses (Luke 6:27-30) emphasize the importance of loving one's enemies and treating others with kindness, even when they are hostile or unkind. Jesus commands his followers to adopt a posture of non-retaliation and instead to bless and pray for those who persecute them [4].
The term "bless" (εὐλογέω, eulogeo) in this context means to speak well of or to pray for someone's well-being [3]. Jesus is not asking his followers to condone or ignore the mistreatment they receive, but rather to respond with prayer and kindness.
The early Christian fathers understood this teaching as a call to radical love and forgiveness. John Chrysostom, for example, saw this as a way to "lead them forth to the battle without" and to demonstrate the power of Christian love [5]. Augustine also emphasized the importance of praying for one's persecutors, seeing it as a way to show love and compassion even in the face of adversity [6].
The command to bless those who curse and pray for those who mistreat is not limited to personal relationships but is also relevant to the broader social context. In the face of persecution and hostility, Jesus' followers are called to respond with prayer and kindness, rather than retaliation or anger [2].
This teaching has been influential in shaping Christian thought and practice throughout history. The early Christian communities, for example, were known for their care and compassion towards those who persecuted them [7]. The command to bless those who curse and pray for those who mistreat remains a challenging and counter-cultural teaching, one that continues to shape Christian discipleship and witness today.
In the context of Luke's Gospel, this teaching is part of a larger emphasis on the importance of loving one's enemies and living as a community of radical love and forgiveness. As such, it remains a vital part of Christian ethics and spirituality, calling believers to embody a different way of being in the world, one marked by love, compassion, and prayer, even in the face of adversity.
Sources
- Luke “Luke 6:28 (BSB) — bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Persecution — Christ suffered -- Ps 69:26; Joh 5:16. Christ voluntarily submitted to -- Isa 50:6. Christ was patient under -- Isa 53:7. Saints may expect -- Mr 10:30; Lu 21:12; Joh 15:20. Saints suffer, for the sake of God -- Jer 15:15. Of saints, is a persecution of Christ -- Zec 2:8; Ac 9:4,5. All that live godly in Christ, shall suffer -- 2Ti 3:12. Originates Ignorance of God and Christ. -- Joh 16:3. Hated to God and Christ. -- Joh 15:20,24. Hatred to the gospel. -- Mt 13:21. Pride. -- Ps 10:2. Mistaken zeal. -- Ac 13:50; 26:9-11. Is inconsistent with the spirit o”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Luke 1:28 cross-references: Judges 5:24, Judges 6:12, Proverbs 31:29, Isaiah 43:5, Jeremiah 1:18, Daniel 9:21, Daniel 10:19, Hosea 14:2, Matthew 12:48, Luke 1:30, Luke 1:42, Luke 11:27, Acts 18:10, Ephesians 1:6”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 6:27: Bless them that curse you;.... In common discourse, or anathematize you in their synagogues: and pray for them which despitefully use you: so Christ himself did; See Gill on Mat 5:44.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Homily XXII. Rom. XII. 14 “ Bless them which persecute you; bless, and curse not.” After teaching them how they ought to be minded towards one another, and after joining the members closely into one, he next proceeds to lead them forth to the battle without, which he makes easier as from this point. For as he who hath not managed things well with those of his own side, will find more difficulty in arranging affairs with strangers, so he, that has practised himself duly among these, will with the more ease have the advantage of those without also. Hen”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — CHAP. V.--13. "Blessed are ye," says He, "when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great(3) is (part 2): where dwells everlasting righteousness: in comparison with which a Wicked soul is called earth, to which it is said when it sins," Earth thou art, and unto earth thou shalt return."(10) Of this heaven the apostle says, "For our conversation is in heaven."(11) Hence they who rejoice in spiritual good are conscious of that reward now; but”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 7: Lactantius, Venantius, Asterius, Victorinus, Dionysius — THAT WE OUGHT TO AFFORD AN HELPING HAND TO SUCH AS ARE SPOILED FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST, ALTHOUGH WE SHOULD INCUR DANGER OURSELVES.: III. Receive also those that are persecuted on account of the faith, and who "fly from city to city"(3) on account of the Lord's commandment; and assist them as martyrs, rejoicing that ye are made partakers of their persecution, as knowing that they are esteemed blessed by the Lord; for Himself says: "Blessed are ye when men shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against ”