Luke 6:33

KJV

And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} if {G1437} ye do good {G15} to them which do good {G15} to you {G5209}, what {G4169} thank {G5485} have {G2076} ye {G5213}? for {G1063} sinners {G268} also do {G4160} even {G2532} the same {G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

What credit is it to you if you do good only to those who do good to you? Even sinners do that.

Berean Standard Bible

If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.

American Standard Version

And if ye do good to them that do good to you, what thank have ye? for even sinners do the same.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 6:33 challenges the conventional human tendency to reciprocate good deeds, posing a rhetorical question about the merit of such actions. Jesus asserts that merely doing good to those who do good to you offers no unique commendation, as even "sinners"—those not living by God's divine standard—engage in the same behavior. This verse serves as a crucial point in Jesus' Sermon on the Plain, urging His disciples to transcend societal norms and embrace a radical, God-like love that extends beyond the expectation of return, thereby demonstrating a higher form of righteousness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Luke 6:33 is situated within Jesus' extensive teaching often referred to as the "Sermon on the Plain" ([Luke 6:17-49](/luke/6-17-49 "Luke 6:17-49 - The Sermon on the Plain")). This discourse parallels Matthew's Sermon on the Mount and outlines the radical ethics of the Kingdom of God. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus has issued profound and counter-cultural commands: to [love one's enemies, do good to those who hate, bless those who curse, and pray for those who abuse](/luke/6-27-28 "Luke 6:27-28 - Love Your Enemies"). The verses that follow (Luke 6:34-36) continue to elaborate on this theme, specifically addressing lending without expecting repayment and culminating in the call to be merciful, just as God is merciful. Thus, Luke 6:33 functions as a pivotal statement, highlighting that reciprocal kindness, while good, is not the distinguishing mark of a disciple, setting the stage for the even higher standard of unconditional love.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In both the Greco-Roman and Jewish societies of Jesus' time, the principle of reciprocity (Latin: *do ut des*, "I give so that you may give") was deeply ingrained. Social honor, patronage systems, and the expectation of return for favors were fundamental to social cohesion and individual standing. To do good to someone who had done good to you was not only common but expected, serving to maintain social balance and personal reputation. Jesus' teaching in [Luke 6](/luke/6 "Luke 6 - The Sermon on the Plain") directly challenges this pervasive cultural norm. By stating that "sinners" also practice such reciprocity, Jesus critiques a self-serving or socially driven motivation for kindness, demanding a love from His followers that transcends human-centric systems of merit and exchange. This radical call would have been profoundly counter-cultural and even scandalous to many of His listeners.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within Luke's Gospel and the broader message of Jesus. First, it underscores the theme of **Radical Discipleship**, calling followers to a standard of conduct that far exceeds worldly norms. Disciples are to embody a love that is not merely reactive or conditional, but proactive and unconditional, mirroring God's own character. Second, it highlights the **Divine Standard of Righteousness**, contrasting it sharply with human or societal standards. True righteousness, as defined by Jesus, is not about earning "thank" or social credit through reciprocal acts, but about demonstrating a selfless, generous love that anticipates no personal gain. This ties into the broader theme of the [Kingdom of God](/luke/17-20-21 "Luke 17:20-21 - The Kingdom of God Within You"), where values are often inverted from earthly expectations. Finally, it addresses the **Motivation for Action**, challenging believers to examine *why* they do good. The verse implies that actions driven by the expectation of return, even positive ones, are fundamentally different from those motivated by pure, self-giving love.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **do good (Greek, _agathopoiéō'_):** From G15, this verb means "to be a well-doer (as a favor or a duty)." It refers to the act of performing benevolent deeds, acting kindly, or conferring benefits upon others. In this verse, Jesus uses it to describe actions that are outwardly positive and beneficial, acknowledging that such actions can be performed by anyone, regardless of their spiritual standing or motivation.
* **thank (Greek, _cháris'_):** From G5485, this word is rich in meaning, often translated as "grace," "favor," or "gratitude." However, in the rhetorical question "what thank have ye?", *cháris* refers to the credit, merit, or special commendation one might expect to receive for their actions. Jesus implies that merely reciprocating good deeds yields no unique "thank" or divine favor, as it is a common human practice rather than a distinct act of faith or selfless love.
* **sinners (Greek, _hamartōlós'_):** From G268, meaning "sinful, i.e. a sinner." In this context, "sinners" refers to those who do not adhere to God's divine standard or perhaps those outside the covenant community. Jesus' use of this term here is not necessarily to condemn, but to illustrate a baseline of human behavior. Even individuals who are not living in obedience to God's commands understand and practice the principle of reciprocal good deeds, demonstrating that such actions are not unique to those who claim to follow God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And if ye do good to them which do good to you":** This clause sets up a common and understandable human scenario. It describes the natural inclination to respond positively to kindness received. It acknowledges that people generally treat others well when those others have first treated them well, establishing a system of mutual benefit and social equilibrium.
* **"what thank have ye?":** This is a powerful rhetorical question posed by Jesus. It challenges the inherent value or spiritual merit of merely reciprocal actions from a divine perspective. The implied answer is "none" or "very little." Jesus is suggesting that such actions, while not inherently bad, do not earn any special commendation or unique spiritual reward in God's eyes because they are not distinctively reflective of God's character or the Kingdom ethic.
* **"for sinners also do even the same.":** This concluding clause provides the reason for the rhetorical question and the core of Jesus' argument. By stating that "sinners"—those not living according to God's higher standards—also engage in reciprocal good deeds, Jesus highlights that this behavior is not exclusive to or a distinguishing mark of His followers. It underscores the need for a higher, more radical, and truly transformative love that goes beyond mere human expectation or social convention.

#### Literary Devices
Jesus employs several literary devices to convey His profound message in Luke 6:33. The most prominent is the **Rhetorical Question**, "what thank have ye?". This is not a question seeking information but one designed to provoke thought, challenge assumptions, and emphasize a point. By posing it, Jesus forces His listeners to consider the true spiritual value of their actions, implying that reciprocal kindness, while natural, does not earn special divine commendation. This is immediately followed by a stark **Contrast** or **Juxtaposition** between the actions of "ye" (His disciples) and "sinners." This contrast serves to highlight the elevated standard of love Jesus demands from His followers, distinguishing them from the world's conventional norms. The implied **Understatement** or **Litotes** in the rhetorical question ("what thank have ye?") further emphasizes the point; Jesus is subtly implying that there is *no* special "thank" or very little, thereby diminishing the spiritual significance of such actions when compared to the unconditional love He advocates.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 6:33 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine love and true discipleship. It reveals that God's standard of goodness transcends human systems of reciprocity and merit. Unlike human interactions often governed by *quid pro quo*, God's love is freely given, even to the undeserving and ungrateful. Jesus calls His followers to emulate this divine character, demonstrating a love that is proactive, unconditional, and not dependent on the recipient's prior actions or expected return. This radical ethic distinguishes genuine discipleship from mere societal conformity or self-serving benevolence, pointing to a righteousness that flows from a transformed heart aligned with God's own boundless grace. The "thank" or merit sought by humans for reciprocal good deeds is shown to be insignificant when compared to the "great reward" promised by God for those who love as He loves.

* [Luke 6:35](/luke/6-35 "Luke 6:35 - Reward for Unconditional Love")
* [Matthew 5:46-47](/matthew/5-46-47 "Matthew 5:46-47 - Loving Those Who Love You")
* [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love While We Were Still Sinners")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Luke 6:33 serves as a profound challenge for every believer to examine the very core of their motivations for doing good. It prompts us to move beyond the natural human inclination to only respond in kind and instead cultivate a love that is truly transformative and self-giving. This verse calls us to consider if our acts of kindness are merely transactional, driven by an expectation of repayment, recognition, or simply a response to prior kindness received. Instead, Jesus compels us to initiate good, to extend grace and generosity even when it seems undeserved, when there is no apparent benefit to ourselves, or when the recipient is unlikely to reciprocate. This means actively seeking opportunities to bless those who may not be able to return the favor, to forgive those who have wronged us, and to show kindness to those who are indifferent or even hostile. Living out this radical ethic is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel, demonstrating a love that mirrors God's own abundant grace poured out on humanity without condition or expectation of return. It shifts our focus from earthly "thank" or social credit to the eternal "great reward" promised by God for those who genuinely reflect His character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What truly motivates my acts of kindness and generosity? Am I seeking reciprocal benefit, or am I giving out of a selfless, God-like love?**
* **In what specific areas of my life can I move beyond reciprocal kindness to proactive, unconditional love, especially towards those who may not reciprocate?**
* **How does understanding God's own unconditional love, as demonstrated in Christ, transform my approach to loving others, particularly those who may not be easy to love?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean we shouldn't do good to those who do good to us?**

Answer: No, Jesus is not forbidding reciprocal kindness or suggesting that we should stop doing good to those who are kind to us. Such actions are natural and often positive aspects of human relationships, fostering community and mutual support. Instead, Jesus is challenging His followers to go *beyond* this baseline. His point is that merely returning good for good does not distinguish a disciple of Christ from someone who does not follow God's ways. The call is to cultivate a higher, more radical form of love that extends even to those who do not reciprocate, as detailed in the preceding verses where Jesus commands His disciples to [love their enemies and do good to those who hate them](/luke/6-27 "Luke 6:27 - Love Your Enemies").

**Who are the "sinners" Jesus refers to here?**

Answer: In this context, "sinners" (Greek: _hamartōlós_) refers to people who are not living according to God's divine standard, or perhaps those outside the covenant community who do not acknowledge God's authority. Jesus uses them as an example of common human behavior. Even those who are not religiously devout or morally upright by God's standards understand and practice the principle of reciprocal good deeds. This highlights that such behavior, while common and often beneficial, is not the distinguishing mark of kingdom living, which requires a love that goes beyond mere human reciprocity, as seen in [Luke 6:35](/luke/6-35 "Luke 6:35 - God's Kindness to the Unthankful and Evil"), where God is described as kind to the unthankful and to the evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Luke 6:33, with its challenge to move beyond reciprocal good deeds, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself lived out this radical ethic of unconditional love flawlessly. He did good to those who did not do good to Him, healing the sick, teaching the ignorant, and serving the outcast, even knowing that many would ultimately reject and crucify Him. His entire ministry was an outpouring of divine love that sought no earthly "thank" or return. The pinnacle of this non-reciprocal love is found in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. As [Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God's Love for Sinners") declares, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This was not a response to our goodness, but an act of pure, unmerited grace towards those who were His enemies. Therefore, the command in [Luke 6:33](/luke/6-33 "Luke 6:33 - The Challenge of Reciprocal Goodness") is not merely a moral imperative but a call to live out the very character of God revealed in Christ. Believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, are called to be imitators of God, as beloved children ([Ephesians 5:1-2](/ephesians/5-1-2 "Ephesians 5:1-2 - Imitators of God")), reflecting the same selfless love that Christ demonstrated when He gave Himself up for us.

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.