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Bible verse
Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
What it means
Jesus asks the hardest thing: to love those who wound us and to pray for those who oppose us. This overturns every instinct toward revenge and reveals a love that comes only from above. It is not weakness but the strength of a heart set free from bitterness. He lived it perfectly, forgiving even as He was crucified, praying for the very ones who nailed Him there. By His Spirit we can begin to love this way too, and in it we look most like our Father.
Matthew 5:44 at a glance
| Reference | Matthew 5:44 |
|---|---|
| Book | Matthew |
| Chapter to read it in | Matthew 5 |
| Topic | love |
| Passages linked to it | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Romans 12:14
- 1 Peter 3:9
- Luke 6:27-28
- Romans 12:20-21
- Proverbs 25:21-22
- Luke 23:34
- 1 Peter 2:23
- Acts 7:60
- Luke 6:34-35
- 1 Corinthians 4:12-13
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where do I find Matthew 5:44?
It is in Matthew, in Matthew 5. Reading the whole chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and why.
What other passages go with Matthew 5:44?
Readers most often set it beside Romans 12:14, 1 Peter 3:9, Luke 6:27-28, Romans 12:20-21. Each is listed under Read it in context.
How can I pray Matthew 5:44?
Read it slowly once, then say it back to God in your own words, one phrase at a time. Stop on the phrase that stays with you and stay there. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray it with you.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in Matthew 5:44, before any of us arrive. We bring you Matthew 5:44, love. Make us people who love one another there. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read all of Matthew 5 today, not only the one verse.
- Write Matthew 5:44 where you will see it, and read it aloud at the start and end of the day.
- Tell one person what this verse means to you, and ask what verse has carried them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read it, pray it, live it
On The Living Bread you can read the whole chapter, save this verse, ask Simon to explain it, pray it over your life, and share it with someone who needs it today.
