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

LUKE 6:33KJV
Know the Bible

Luke 6:33 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:33 mean?

Luke 6:33 challenges the idea that doing good deserves special credit when it is limited to people who do good in return. Jesus points out that even people called “sinners” act that way, so such kindness is not unusual.

Jesus asks his listeners, “what thank have ye?” The question asks them to consider what is distinctive about a favor exchanged for a favor. After speaking about loving those who love them in verse 32, Jesus turns to the good people do for one another.

The Greek behind Luke 6:33

  • “thank” — χάρις (charis): This word can carry the sense of thanks, favor, or credit. In Jesus’ question, the sense is close to “what credit is that to you?”
  • “sinners” — ἁμαρτωλοί (hamartōloi): This word refers to people who do wrong. Jesus uses the group as a comparison his listeners would recognize, pointing out that they too return good for good.

Why Luke 6:33 matters

  • Jesus is talking about actions as well as feelings. The phrase “do good” gives a practical form to the love mentioned just before this verse.
  • The wider passage makes the comparison sharper. Jesus has told his listeners to “do good to them which hate you” in Luke 6:27; verse 33 contrasts that with doing good only where good is returned.
  • Jesus presents a question rather than naming a reward in this verse. “What thank have ye?” presses his listeners to consider what deserves credit about an exchange of favors.

Where else these words appear

“good” Greek G15 · used in 10 verses

  • Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
  • Acts 14:17 Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.
  • 1 Peter 3:6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

“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.

“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.