The Meaning of Luke 6:28 Explained

Luke 6:28

KJV: Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

YLT: bless those cursing you, and pray for those accusing you falsely;

Darby: bless those that curse you; pray for those who use you despitefully.

ASV: bless them that curse you, pray for them that despitefully use you.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Bless  them that curse  you,  and  pray  for  them which despitefully use  you. 

What does Luke 6:28 Mean?

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 6:28

That despitefully use you [των επηρεαζοντων υμας]
This old verb occurs here only in the N.T. and in 1 Peter 3:16, not being genuine in Matthew 5:44. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 6:28

Romans 12:14 And curse not [και μη καταραστε]
Present middle imperative with μη — mē Like Matthew 5:44 in spirit, not a quotation, but a reminiscence of the words of Jesus. The negative addition gives emphasis. See Luke 6:28 for the old verb καταραομαι — kataraomai from καταρα — katara (curse). [source]
James 3:9 We bless [ευλογουμεν]
Present active indicative of ευλογεω — eulogeō old verb from ευλογος — eulogos (a good word, ευ λογος — euτον κυριον και πατερα — logos), as in Luke 1:64 of God. “This is the highest function of speech” (Hort).The Lord and Father (καταρωμετα — ton kurion kai patera). Both terms applied to God.Curse we Present middle indicative of the old compound verb καταρα — kataraomai to curse (from τους κατ ομοιωσιν τεου γεγονοτας — katara a curse), as in Luke 6:28.Which are made after the likeness of God (γινομαι — tous kath' homoiōsin theou gegonotas). Second perfect articular participle of ομοιωσις — ginomai and ομοιοω — homoiōsis old word from ομοιωμα — homoioō (to make like), making like, here only in N.T. (from Genesis 1:26; Genesis 9:6), the usual word being homoiōma resemblance (Philemon 2:7). It is this image of God which sets man above the beasts. Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18. [source]
James 3:9 Curse we [καταραομαι]
Present middle indicative of the old compound verb καταρα — kataraomai to curse (from τους κατ ομοιωσιν τεου γεγονοτας — katara a curse), as in Luke 6:28.Which are made after the likeness of God (γινομαι — tous kath' homoiōsin theou gegonotas). Second perfect articular participle of ομοιωσις — ginomai and ομοιοω — homoiōsis old word from ομοιωμα — homoioō (to make like), making like, here only in N.T. (from Genesis 1:26; Genesis 9:6), the usual word being homoiōma resemblance (Philemon 2:7). It is this image of God which sets man above the beasts. Cf. 2 Corinthians 3:18. [source]
1 Peter 3:16 Falsely accuse [ἐπηρεάζοντες]
Compare Luke 6:28; the only other passage where the word occurs, Matthew 5:44, being rejected from the best texts. The word means to threaten abusively; to act despitefully. Rev., revile. [source]
1 Peter 3:9 Reviling for reviling [λοιδοριαν αντι λοιδοριας]
Allusion to 1 Peter 2:23 (Christ‘s own example).But contrariwise blessing (τουναντιον δε ευλογουντες — tounantion de eulogountes). Adverbial accusative and crasis (το εναντιον — to enantion) of the neuter article and the adjective εναντιος — enantios (εν αντιος — enευλογουντες — antios opposite, Matthew 14:24), “on the contrary.” For ευλογεω — eulogountes (present active participle of ευλογειτε — eulogeō) see Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14 (imperative οτι εις τουτο εκλητητε — eulogeite).For hereunto were ye called See note on 1 Peter 2:21 for this verb and use of ινα ευλογιαν κληρονομησητε — eis touto (pointing to the preceding argument).That ye should inherit a blessing (ινα — hina eulogian klēronomēsēte). Purpose clause with κληρονομεω — hina and the first aorist active subjunctive of klēronomeō a plain reference to Esau, who wanted “to inherit the blessing” (Hebrews 12:17) after he had sold his birthright. Christians are the new Israel (both Gentiles and Jews) and are the spiritual descendants of Isaac (Galatians 4:22.). [source]
1 Peter 3:9 But contrariwise blessing [τουναντιον δε ευλογουντες]
Adverbial accusative and crasis (το εναντιον — to enantion) of the neuter article and the adjective εναντιος — enantios (εν αντιος — enευλογουντες — antios opposite, Matthew 14:24), “on the contrary.” For ευλογεω — eulogountes (present active participle of ευλογειτε — eulogeō) see Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14 (imperative οτι εις τουτο εκλητητε — eulogeite). [source]
1 Peter 3:16 That they may be put to shame [ινα καταισχυντωσιν]
Purpose clause with ινα — hina and the first aorist passive subjunctive of καταισχυνω — kataischunō old verb, to put to shame (Luke 13:17; 1 Peter 2:6).Wherein ye are spoken against (εν ωι καταλαλειστε — en hōi katalaleisthe). Present passive indicative of καταλαλεω — katalaleō for which see 1 Peter 2:12 with εν ωι — en hōi also. Peter may be recalling (Hart) his own experience at Pentecost when the Jews first scoffed and others were cut to the heart (Acts 2:13, Acts 2:37).Who revile Articular present active participle of επηρεαζω — epēreazō old verb (from επηρεια — epēreia spiteful abuse), to insult, in N.T. only here and Luke 6:28.In Christ (εν Χριστωι — en Christōi). Paul‘s common mystical phrase that Peter has three times (here, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 Peter 5:14), not in John, though the idea is constantly in John. Peter here gives a new turn (cf. 1 Peter 2:12) to αναστροπη — anastrophē (manner of life). “Constantly the apostle repeats his phrases with new significance and in a new light” (Bigg). [source]
1 Peter 3:16 Who revile [οι επηρεαζοντες]
Articular present active participle of επηρεαζω — epēreazō old verb (from επηρεια — epēreia spiteful abuse), to insult, in N.T. only here and Luke 6:28.In Christ (εν Χριστωι — en Christōi). Paul‘s common mystical phrase that Peter has three times (here, 1 Peter 5:10, 1 Peter 5:14), not in John, though the idea is constantly in John. Peter here gives a new turn (cf. 1 Peter 2:12) to αναστροπη — anastrophē (manner of life). “Constantly the apostle repeats his phrases with new significance and in a new light” (Bigg). [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 6:28 mean?

bless those cursing you pray for those mistreating
εὐλογεῖτε τοὺς καταρωμένους ὑμᾶς προσεύχεσθε περὶ τῶν ἐπηρεαζόντων

εὐλογεῖτε  bless 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Plural
Root: εὐλογέω 
Sense: to praise, celebrate with praises.
τοὺς  those 
Parse: Article, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
καταρωμένους  cursing 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Middle or Passive, Accusative Masculine Plural
Root: καταράομαι  
Sense: to curse, doom, imprecate evil upon.
προσεύχεσθε  pray 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Middle or Passive, 2nd Person Plural
Root: προσεύχομαι  
Sense: to offer prayers, to pray.
τῶν  those 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἐπηρεαζόντων  mistreating 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Plural
Root: ἐπηρεάζω  
Sense: to insult.