For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

MATTHEW 5:46KJV
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Matthew 5:46 (KJV)

What does Matthew 5:46 mean?

Matthew 5:46 says that loving only those who love you is nothing special, since even people considered morally questionable, like tax collectors, do the same. Jesus is challenging his listeners to go beyond ordinary standards of love if they want to receive a true reward.

In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching about what it means to live rightly in God’s eyes. By mentioning "publicans" (tax collectors), who were widely disliked and seen as sinners, Jesus points out that simply loving those who already love you does not set anyone apart. The verse highlights the need for a deeper, more generous kind of love.

The Greek behind Matthew 5:46

  • ἀγαπάω (agapaō, "love"): This word refers to a selfless, committed kind of love, not just affection or friendship. Jesus is talking about a love that acts for the good of others, not just a feeling.
  • τελῶναι (telōnai, "publicans"): These were tax collectors, often seen as corrupt and traitorous by Jewish society. By using them as an example, Jesus shows that even those with a bad reputation are capable of loving those who love them back.
  • μισθός (misthos, "reward"): This word means payment or recompense. Jesus asks what special reward there is for loving only those who love you, hinting that true reward comes from a higher standard.

Why Matthew 5:46 matters

  • Matthew 5:46 clears up the idea that loving only friends or family is enough to fulfill Jesus’ teaching about love; he calls for something more.
  • The verse emphasizes that Jesus’ followers are meant to stand out by showing love that goes beyond what is normal or expected in society.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage where Jesus teaches about loving enemies and doing good even to those who do not treat you well, showing the radical nature of his message.

Where else these words appear

“publicans” Greek G5057 · used in 21 verses

  • Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
  • Matthew 21:31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.
  • Luke 5:30 But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

“reward” Greek G3408 · used in 28 verses

  • Matthew 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
  • Luke 6:23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
  • 1 Corinthians 9:18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

“not” Greek G3780 · used in 54 verses

  • Matthew 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
  • Luke 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
  • 1 Corinthians 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

“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.