Section 5:43–48

Jesus taught that his disciples should love their enemies

In this section, Jesus continued to explain the difference between the way that Jewish religious leaders interpreted the law of Moses and the correct interpretation of the law. Some rabbis taught that Jews should hate their enemies, but this teaching is not directly found in the law of Moses. Jesus taught that we should love everyone, even our enemies.

This section continues the theme that believers should do good to those who do evil to them. They should love those who hate them. They should pray for those who try to harm them.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Love your enemies
-or-
Believers must love their enemies

Paragraph 5:43–48

5:43a

You have heard that it was said: These same words are found in 5:27a and 5:38a. Translate it here as you did there.

5:43b

Love your neighbor: This part of the verse is a quote from the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18). The Greek verb for Love is in the future tense, but is used as a command. It is also in the singular, but applies to all.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Love (plur.) your neighbor
-or-
You(sing)(plur) must love your neighbor
-or-
Everyone must love his neighbor

Love: The word Love in this context means to show kindness to someone and value him highly.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

Care greatly for
-or-
Show great kindness toward
-or-
Treat very well
-or-
Be very concerned for

your neighbor: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as neighbor originally referred to someone who lives nearby. In this context it refers to a fellow Jew.

Here are some other ways to translate “Love your neighbor”:

Love your countryman/fellowman
-or-
Show kindness to your own people
-or-
Love your friends (Good News Translation)

Hate your enemy: This part of the verse is not a direct quote from the Old Testament. But the teachers of the law were teaching it as a command from God.

Hate: The verb Hate means to have strong dislike and hostility toward someone. Just as in “love” above, the Greek verb is in the future tense, but is used as a command. It is also in the singular.

enemy: An enemy is a person who hates and opposes you and may try to harm you physically or in some other way.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Despise the one who wants to harm you (sing.).

-or-

Do not love the one who opposes you (sing.).

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