Matthew
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
Matthew 5:44
Matthew 5:44 (KJV) speaks to loving enemies, love for others, and persecution — words set in Matthew, the Gospel that presents Jesus as the promised King. It is the kind of verse worth reading slowly, more than once, and carrying with you through the day.
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Verses that sit beside this one
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,”
Luke 6:27“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:9“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:”
Proverbs 25:21“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”
Luke 6:35“Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:”
Proverbs 24:17“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
Proverbs 10:12
Common questions
What does Matthew 5:44 mean?
In the King James Version, Matthew 5:44 reads: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" The verse speaks to loving enemies, love for others, and persecution. To read it well, take it in the flow of Matthew 5 rather than on its own, and let the words settle slowly — reading it aloud, or turning it into a short prayer, is often what makes its meaning land.
Is Matthew 5:44 in the King James Version?
Yes. "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" is Matthew 5:44 in the King James Version (KJV), found in Matthew chapter 5.
What are some related Bible verses to Matthew 5:44?
Verses that sit beside Matthew 5:44 include Luke 6:27, 1 Peter 3:9, and Proverbs 25:21. Reading them alongside Matthew 5:44 deepens the theme of loving enemies.
How can I pray with Matthew 5:44?
Read Matthew 5:44 slowly, take a breath, and turn it into a short prayer in your own words — thanking God for what it promises, or asking for what it points to. Keep it somewhere you will see it today, and let it be a companion rather than a task to finish.