KJV ORIGINAL
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
I mean, if you only love people who already love you back, what's so special about that? Even tax collectors do that much.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Real love shows up for people who can't do anything for you in return.
📚 Historical Context
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus was addressing a crowd of followers in ancient Galilee, challenging them to exceed the moral standards of their time. He used the example of "publicans," who were Jewish tax collectors working for the Roman occupiers and widely despised as traitors and sinners, to illustrate that even they practiced basic reciprocity in love. This teaching highlighted the need for a deeper, God-centered love that goes beyond human norms.
Ask the AI Assistant
Have a question about this chapter or verse? Ask below for a clear explanation.
Share or Save