Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

LUKE 6:28KJV
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Luke 6:28 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:28 mean?

In Luke 6:28, Jesus tells his listeners how to respond to people who speak against them and treat them badly. He directs them to answer hostile words with a blessing and to bring those who mistreat them before God in prayer.

Jesus is speaking to a crowd that includes his disciples, the people following and learning from him. After telling them to love their enemies in verse 27, he gives two examples involving speech: blessing someone and praying for someone.

The Greek behind Luke 6:28

  • “Bless” — εὐλογέω (eulogeō): The word can carry the sense of speaking well of someone or asking for good for that person. Here, the person receiving the blessing is someone who has spoken a curse.
  • “curse” — καταράομαι (kataraomai): The word carries the sense of calling down harm on someone. The contrast is between words that seek another person’s harm and words that seek good.
  • “despitefully use” — ἐπηρεάζω (epēreazō): The word can mean to mistreat or abuse someone. The older English phrase “despitefully use” refers to hostile treatment, not simply to using something.

Why Luke 6:28 matters

  • Jesus includes both words and actions as forms of hostility. The verse names people who “curse” as well as those who “despitefully use” others.
  • The prayer Jesus describes is for the people responsible for the mistreatment. The words “pray for them” keep those people in view.
  • The instruction belongs to a wider contrast between expected reactions and the response Jesus describes. In verse 32, Jesus asks what credit there is in loving only those who love you.

Where else these words appear

“use” Greek G1908 · used in 3 verses

  • 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;
  • 1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

“curse” Greek G2672 · used in 6 verses

  • 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;
  • Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
  • Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

“Bless” Greek G2127 · used in 41 verses

  • 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;
  • Luke 1:42 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
  • Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

“pray” Greek G4336 · used in 82 verses

  • 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;
  • Luke 5:16 And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
  • Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.