Luke 6:31

KJV

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} as {G2531} ye would {G2309} that {G2443} men {G444} should do {G4160} to you {G5213}, do {G4160} ye {G5210} also {G2532} to them {G846} likewise {G3668}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Treat other people as you would like them to treat you.

Berean Standard Bible

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

American Standard Version

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:31, famously known as the Golden Rule, encapsulates a foundational ethical principle articulated by Jesus Christ during His Sermon on the Plain. This verse provides a concise and positive directive for human interaction, urging believers to proactively treat others with the same care, respect, and generosity they themselves desire to receive. It serves as a distillation of Jesus's radical call to love, mercy, and selfless action, moving beyond mere avoidance of harm to an active pursuit of the well-being of others.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This powerful command is situated within a challenging and transformative section of Jesus's discourse in Luke's Gospel, often paralleled with Matthew's Sermon on the Mount. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus issues a series of counter-cultural commands that redefine conventional ethics: to [love your enemies](/luke/6-27 "Luke 6:27 - Love Your Enemies"), to [bless those who curse you](/luke/6-28 "Luke 6:28 - Bless and Pray for Persecutors"), to [turn the other cheek](/luke/6-29 "Luke 6:29 - Turn the Other Cheek"), and to [give freely without expecting return](/luke/6-30 "Luke 6:30 - Give Without Expectation"). The Golden Rule, therefore, functions as a positive summation and practical application of these radical demands, providing a guiding principle that underpins all the preceding instructions for selfless living and empathetic engagement with the world, even with one's adversaries.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the Greco-Roman world, ethical maxims often focused on negative prohibitions ("Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you"). While similar concepts existed in Jewish tradition (e.g., Hillel's teaching), Jesus's formulation in [Luke 6:31](/luke/6-31 "Luke 6:31 - The Golden Rule") stands out for its positive and proactive nature. It challenges the prevailing "eye for an eye" mentality (lex talionis) that, while intended to limit retaliation, often led to cycles of vengeance. Jesus's teaching elevates the standard from mere justice or avoidance of harm to active, benevolent initiation. This was a radical call in a society often marked by social stratification, honor-shame dynamics, and limited compassion for outsiders or enemies.
* **Key Themes:** The Golden Rule contributes significantly to several key themes within Luke's Gospel and Jesus's broader teaching. It powerfully articulates the theme of **Radical Love**, extending beyond friends and family to encompass enemies and strangers, mirroring God's impartial love for all humanity. It emphasizes **Proactive Righteousness**, shifting the focus from avoiding evil to actively initiating good deeds. Furthermore, it underscores **Empathy and Selflessness**, requiring individuals to transcend self-interest and consider the desires and needs of others as if they were their own. This principle is a practical outworking of the [Great Commandment to love your neighbor as yourself](/matthew/22-39 "Matthew 22:39 - Love Your Neighbor"), demonstrating how divine love is to be embodied in human relationships.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **would (Greek, _thélō'_):** This word signifies a strong desire, intention, or preference stemming from an active, subjective impulse. It is not merely a passive wish but an inclination or determination. In [Luke 6:31](/luke/6-31 "Luke 6:31 - The Golden Rule"), it highlights the deeply personal and internal nature of the standard: what one *truly* desires for oneself, not just what one might passively accept.
* **do (Greek, _poiéō'_):** This verb is broad in its application, meaning "to make" or "to do." Its repetition in the verse emphasizes the active, performative nature of the command. It's not enough to merely *wish* well for others; one must *actively perform* deeds that align with that internal desire. This underscores the practical, actionable demand of the Golden Rule.
* **likewise (Greek, _homoíōs'_):** This adverb means "similarly" or "in like manner." It establishes the direct correspondence and symmetrical relationship between the desired treatment and the actual treatment. The actions one performs for others should be a direct mirror image of the actions one wishes to receive, creating a standard of reciprocal benevolence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And as ye would that men should do to you,"**: This initial clause sets forth the internal standard for action. It invites the listener to consider their deepest desires and expectations regarding how others should treat them. This is not about what one *deserves* based on their actions, but what one *wishes* to receive in terms of kindness, respect, generosity, and compassion. It requires a moment of self-reflection and empathy, imagining oneself in the position of the recipient.
* **"do ye also to them likewise."**: This second clause is the imperative command, directly linking the internal standard to external behavior. The "do ye" is a call to active, intentional performance. The "likewise" emphasizes that the quality and nature of the action should mirror the quality and nature of the desired treatment. If one desires patience, one must be patient. If one desires forgiveness, one must forgive. This creates a positive, proactive ethical framework where one's own desires become the blueprint for their benevolent actions towards others.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in [Luke 6:31](/luke/6-31 "Luke 6:31 - The Golden Rule") is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of **Syntactic Parallelism** or **Antithetical Parallelism** in its broader context with the negative formulation, but here it's a positive, direct comparison. The structure "as X, so Y" creates a clear and memorable ethical **Aphorism** or **Maxim**. The two clauses mirror each other, with the first establishing the internal desire ("as ye would that men should do to you") and the second providing the corresponding external command ("do ye also to them likewise"). This symmetrical construction makes the principle easy to understand, recall, and apply. The use of the **Imperative Mood** in "do ye" transforms the principle from a mere observation into a direct, actionable command, emphasizing its binding nature for Jesus's followers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Golden Rule in [Luke 6:31](/luke/6-31 "Luke 6:31 - The Golden Rule") is not merely a piece of human wisdom but a profound theological statement rooted in the character of God and the nature of His kingdom. It reflects the divine principle of selfless love and generosity, challenging believers to embody God's own benevolent disposition towards humanity. For the Christian, this rule is an extension of the greatest commandments: to love God wholeheartedly and to [love your neighbor as yourself](/matthew/22-39 "Matthew 22:39 - Love Your Neighbor"). It serves as a practical litmus test for genuine faith, demonstrating that true discipleship involves a radical reorientation from self-interest to other-centered compassion, mirroring the very heart of God who "gives to all life and breath and everything" ([Acts 17:25](/acts/17-25 "Acts 17:25 - God Gives Life to All")).

* [Leviticus 19:18](/leviticus/19-18 "Leviticus 19:18 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself")
* [Matthew 7:12](/matthew/7-12 "Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule in Matthew")
* [Romans 13:8-10](/romans/13-8-10 "Romans 13:8-10 - Love Fulfills the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The Golden Rule, though simple in its expression, is profoundly challenging in its application, demanding a constant posture of empathy and proactive benevolence. It calls us to transcend mere avoidance of harm and to actively seek the good of others, even those who might not reciprocate. In daily life, this means intentionally putting ourselves in the shoes of others, considering their perspectives, needs, and desires, and then acting in ways that genuinely promote their well-being. It requires us to move beyond superficial interactions to cultivate a heart of selfless consideration, whether in our families, workplaces, communities, or even in our engagement with global issues. Living out this rule transforms relationships, fosters reconciliation, and builds a more just and compassionate society, reflecting the kingdom values Jesus proclaimed.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific desires do I have for how others treat me, and how consistently do I extend that exact treatment to them?**
* **In what areas of my life (e.g., family, work, online interactions) am I most challenged to apply the Golden Rule proactively, rather than reactively?**
* **How does embracing the Golden Rule challenge my natural inclination towards self-interest or judgmental attitudes?**

### FAQ
**Is the Golden Rule found in other religions or philosophies, and if so, how is Jesus's version unique?**

Answer: Yes, variations of the Golden Rule, particularly in its negative form ("Do not do to others what you would not have them do to you"), are found across many ancient and modern ethical systems, including Judaism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Stoicism. This widespread presence underscores its universal appeal as a foundational principle for human coexistence. However, Jesus's formulation in [Luke 6:31](/luke/6-31 "Luke 6:31 - The Golden Rule") (and [Matthew 7:12](/matthew/7-12 "Matthew 7:12 - The Golden Rule")) is distinctly positive and proactive. Instead of merely prohibiting harm, it commands active, benevolent initiation. This positive command, coupled with Jesus's preceding radical instructions to [love enemies](/luke/6-27 "Luke 6:27 - Love Your Enemies") and [give without expectation](/luke/6-30 "Luke 6:30 - Give Without Expectation"), elevates it beyond a mere ethical guideline to a divine imperative rooted in the character of God Himself, who "makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust" ([Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - Love Your Enemies")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Golden Rule finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is not merely the one who taught this radical ethic, but the one who perfectly embodied it. Jesus consistently treated humanity not as we deserved, but as He desired us to be—redeemed, reconciled, and loved. His entire earthly ministry, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross, is the supreme act of "doing unto others likewise." While we were still sinners, Christ died for us ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - Christ Died for Us")), demonstrating the ultimate act of giving without expectation of return, and extending love to His enemies. His life serves as the perfect model for how to live out this command, showing us that true love is self-giving and seeks the highest good of the other, even at immense personal cost. Furthermore, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live out this challenging principle, as the Spirit pours God's love into our hearts ([Romans 5:5](/romans/5-5 "Romans 5:5 - God's Love Through the Spirit")), enabling us to love others as Christ loved us ([John 13:34](/john/13-34 "John 13:34 - A New Commandment")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 7:12

¶ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Galatians 5:14

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Matthew 22:39

And the second [is] like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James 2:8

¶ If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

James 2:16

And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?