Lukas 6:33

33 For even if you do mitzvahs for the ones doing mitzvahs for you, what kind of shvakh to you is that?

Lukas 6:33 Meaning and Commentary

Luke 6:33

And if ye do good to them which do good to you
As one good turn deserves another:

what thank have ye?
what grace or goodness is there in such an action? what glory or merit is there in it?

for sinners also do even the same:
wherefore no man should conclude himself a righteous man, or better than sinners, on such an account: this is to be found among the worst of men, and is natural to them, unless they are brutes indeed, to be kind to such as are kind to them. And yet, this was the whole of the doctrine of the Jews about doing good to men: for so they say ^F21,

``an Israelite is obliged to do good to an Israelite his companion, and to lend without usury: this is kindness and goodness, and a greater good it is than a gift; for many men are ashamed to take a gift, and are not ashamed to take a loan: but not so an Israelite to a Gentile; for he is not bound to do good, or show kindness to him, or to lend him his money freely; for many of them hate the Israelites; but it must be owned, that if a Gentile does a kindness, or good, to an Israelite; the Israelite is also bound to show kindness to him, and do him good.''

In direct opposition to such narrow sentiments does our Lord deliver himself in this, and the following verses.

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Kimchi in Psal. xv. apud Huls. Theolog. Jud. par. 1. p. 420.

Lukas 6:33 In-Context

31 And just as you want that Bnei Adam may do to you, do to them similarly.

32 And if you show ahavah to the ones showing ahavah to you, what kind of shvakh (commendation) to you is that? For even the chote’im (sinners) show ahavah to the ones showing ahavah to them.

33 For even if you do mitzvahs for the ones doing mitzvahs for you, what kind of shvakh to you is that?

34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what kind of shvakh to you is that? Even chote’im lend to chote’im, that they receive in return the same amount.

35 But show ahavah to your oyvim and do mitzvahs and Gemilut Chasadim, expecting nothing in return. And your sachar will be rav. And you will be bnei Elyon (sons of the Most High), because He is kind to anashim ra’im and those without hodayah.