Luke 6:31

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Luke 6:31 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Luke 6:31 — American Standard Version

Context — Luke 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And as ye would that men should do to you, etc.] In matters of justice and beneficence were they in your case, and you in theirs; do ye also to them likewise: a golden rule this, agreeably to the light of nature, and divine revelation, and is the sum and substance of the law and prophets; (See Gill on “<400712>Matthew 7:12”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this passage fully illustrated in the sermon on the mount, in Matt. 5–7. Luke 6:21 That hunger now - Matthew has it, “that hunger and thirst after righteousness.” Matthew has expressed more fully what Luke has briefly, but there is no contradiction. Luke 6:24-26 These verses have been omitted by Matthew. They seem to have been spoken to the Pharisees. Who are rich - In this world’s goods. They loved them; they had sought for them; they found their consolation in them. It implies, farther, that they would not seek or receive consolation from the gospel. They were proud, and would not seek it; satisfied, and did not desire it; filled with cares, and had no time or disposition to attend to…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Mat 7:12. Luke 6:32”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:31 Do to others as you would like them to do to you: While the Golden Rule appears in some form in various religious and philosophical traditions, only in Jesus’ teaching is love for all people, including enemies, the fundamental ethic that governs all behavior.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Mat 7:12, Mat 22:39; Gal 5:14; Jam 2:8-16 Luke 6:32”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification