For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

LUKE 6:32KJV
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Luke 6:32 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:32 mean?

In Luke 6:32, Jesus asks what credit there is in loving only people who already love you. His point is that such love is not distinctive: even people described as sinners show affection to those who return it.

Jesus is speaking to his disciples within a larger crowd. His question follows his instruction to love enemies; verse 32 gives a reason for reaching beyond the circle of people who love them back.

The Greek behind Luke 6:32

  • “thank” — χάρις (charis): The word can carry the sense of favor or credit. Here, “what thank have ye?” asks what credit a person deserves for that kind of love.
  • “sinners” — ἁμαρτωλοί (hamartōloi): The word refers to people regarded as doing wrong. Jesus uses the term for comparison: even those called sinners love people who love them.

Why Luke 6:32 matters

  • Jesus frames his point as a question about credit, not as a question about whether mutual affection exists. The phrase “what thank have ye?” asks what is noteworthy about that affection when it is also found among sinners.
  • The surrounding verses develop the same comparison through doing good and lending. In verses 33–34, Jesus again points to what sinners do for those who return the favor.
  • Verse 35 makes the contrast clear by returning to the command to love enemies. The issue in verse 32 is the boundary of love: whether it reaches only those who already offer love in return.

Where else these words appear

“what” Greek G4169 · used in 33 verses

  • Matthew 19:18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
  • Mark 11:33 And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
  • John 18:32 That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

“sinners” Greek G268 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
  • Luke 6:34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
  • John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.

“love” Greek G25 · used in 109 verses

  • Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
  • John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
  • 2 Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

“thank” Greek G5485 · used in 147 verses

  • Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
  • 1 Corinthians 1:4 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
  • Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.