Gospel of Luke Love Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter:Verse)

Quote #1

But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. (NRSV 6:27-30)

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away any goods ask them not again. (KJV 6:27-30)

Here it is, Jesus's super difficult command that has inspired two of history's greatest non-violent resisters: Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. For more on this, check out our discussion of "Current Hot-Button Issues and Cultural Debates."

Quote #2

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. (NRSV 6:32-35)

For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. (KJV 6:32-35)

Here it is again. Hey, why not reiterate for emphasis? But pay attention to the specifics of what actions love entails: doing good and loaning money to people who might not pay you back. Does that mean our bank teller doesn't actually have a crush on us?

Quote #3

[…] for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us. (NRSV 7:5)

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. (KJV 7:5)

The person in question here is a non-Jewish centurion or higher-ranking soldier. His "love" for the Jews takes the form of a benefaction. Translation: he funded the construction of their local synagogue. Not bad.