Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
LUKE 6:30KJVWhat does Luke 6:30 mean?
Luke 6:30 instructs followers to give to anyone who asks and not to demand back what has been taken from them. The verse presents a radical call to generosity and letting go of personal possessions, even when wronged.
In this part of Luke, Jesus is speaking to a crowd of disciples and others, teaching about how to live differently from the world’s usual ways. The verse comes in the middle of a section where Jesus describes loving enemies and doing good without expecting anything in return. The focus is on responding to others with open-handedness and mercy, not insisting on personal rights or repayment.
The Greek behind Luke 6:30
- "Give" (δίδου, didou; G1325) is a present tense verb, often understood as a continual or habitual action, suggesting that generosity should be a regular practice, not a one-time event.
- "Asketh" (αἰτοῦντι, aitounti; G154) refers to someone making a request, not just a casual question. The Greek here carries the sense of someone in need or seeking help.
- "Ask...not again" (ἀπαίτει, apaitei; G523) means to demand back or reclaim something. The instruction is not to insist on getting back what was taken, highlighting a willingness to let go of personal claims.
Why Luke 6:30 matters
- Luke 6:30 challenges common instincts about fairness and ownership, urging a response that goes beyond what most people would consider reasonable.
- This verse helps clarify the broader teaching of Jesus in this passage, which is about loving others in a way that reflects God’s mercy, not just human standards.
- Understanding the original Greek verbs shows that Jesus is describing an ongoing attitude, not just a single act, which deepens the call to live generously and without resentment.