Love Your Enemies

Jesus recalls the old rule of equal repayment and then tells his followers not to resist an evil person in kind.

Y³⁸ou have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ ³⁹But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Jesus names suit, taking of clothing, and forced travel, and calls for more rather than less in response.

⁴⁰if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well; ⁴¹and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

Jesus tells his followers to give to the one who asks and not turn away from one who seeks to borrow.

⁴²Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Jesus contrasts neighbor-love and enemy-hate with a command to love enemies and pray for persecutors.

⁴³You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Jesus ties enemy-love to likeness with the Father, who gives sun and rain broadly, and he notes that even tax collectors love those who love them.

⁴⁵that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?

Jesus says greeting only brothers adds nothing, then calls for perfection in line with the heavenly Father.

⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.[’’]