Luke 6:34
New International Version
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

New Living Translation
And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return.

English Standard Version
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.

Berean Standard Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

Berean Literal Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive back, what credit is it to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, that they might receive the same amount.

King James Bible
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

New King James Version
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.

New American Standard Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

NASB 1995
“If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

NASB 1977
“And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive back the same amount.

Legacy Standard Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

Amplified Bible
If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount.

Christian Standard Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full.

American Standard Version
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much.

Contemporary English Version
If you lend money only to someone you think will pay you back, will God be pleased with you for that? Even sinners lend to sinners because they think they will get it all back.

English Revised Version
And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? even sinners lend to sinners, to receive again as much.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If you lend anything to those from whom you expect to get something back, do you deserve any thanks for that? Sinners also lend to sinners to get back what they lend.

Good News Translation
And if you lend only to those from whom you hope to get it back, why should you receive a blessing? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount!

International Standard Version
If you lend to those from whom you expect to get something back, what thanks do you deserve? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back what they lend.

Majority Standard Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.

NET Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to be repaid, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may be repaid in full.

New Heart English Bible
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.

Webster's Bible Translation
And if ye lend to them from whom ye hope to receive, what thanks have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much in return.

Weymouth New Testament
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is it to you? Even bad men lend to their fellows so as to receive back an equal amount.

World English Bible
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and if you lend [to those] of whom you hope to receive back, what grace is it to you? For also the sinful lend to sinners—that they may receive again as much.

Berean Literal Bible
And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive back, what credit is it to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, that they might receive the same amount.

Young's Literal Translation
and if ye lend to those of whom ye hope to receive back, what grace have ye? for also the sinful lend to sinners -- that they may receive again as much.

Smith's Literal Translation
And if ye lend of whom ye hope to receive back, what grace is to you? for also the sinful lend to the sinful, that they might receive back the like things.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thanks are to you? for sinners also lend to sinners, for to receive as much.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And if you will loan to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is due to you? For even sinners lend to sinners, in order to receive the same in return.

New American Bible
If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit [is] that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.

New Revised Standard Version
If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And if you lend only to him from whom you expect to be paid back, what is your favor? for sinners also lend to sinners, to be paid back likewise.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
“And if you lend to him from whom you expect to be repaid, what goodness do you have? For even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid likewise.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And if you lend to them from whom you hope to receive, what thanks have you? for even sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive the same.

Godbey New Testament
And if you may lend to those from whom you may hope to receive, what grace is there to you? for sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive back the equivalent.

Haweis New Testament
And if ye lend to those, from whom ye hope to receive back again, what thanks are due to you? for sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive an equivalent.

Mace New Testament
if you lend with the expectation of gaining by it, where's the obligation? for the heathen lend to one another, for the prospect of an equivalent.

Weymouth New Testament
And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is it to you? Even bad men lend to their fellows so as to receive back an equal amount.

Worrell New Testament
"And, if ye lend to those from whom ye hope to receive, what charm have you? even the sinners lend to sinners, that they may receive back as much.

Worsley New Testament
And if ye lend to those from whom ye expect to receive, what thanks are due to you? for sinners also lend to sinners that they may receive an equivalent.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Love Your Enemies
33If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.…

Cross References
Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Matthew 5:46-47
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? / And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 12:20
On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Proverbs 19:17
Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.

Proverbs 22:7
The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Deuteronomy 15:7-11
If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...

Exodus 22:25
If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not act as a creditor to him; you are not to charge him interest.

Leviticus 25:35-37
Now if your countryman becomes destitute and cannot support himself among you, then you are to help him as you would a foreigner or stranger, so that he can continue to live among you. / Do not take any interest or profit from him, but fear your God, that your countryman may live among you. / You must not lend him your silver at interest or sell him your food for profit.

Nehemiah 5:7-10
and after serious thought I rebuked the nobles and officials, saying, “You are exacting usury from your own brothers!” So I called a large assembly against them / and said, “We have done our best to buy back our Jewish brothers who were sold to foreigners, but now you are selling your own brothers, that they may be sold back to us!” But they remained silent, for they could find nothing to say. / So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our foreign enemies? ...

Psalm 37:21
The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.

Psalm 112:5
It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Ezekiel 18:8
He does not engage in usury or take excess interest, but he withholds his hand from iniquity and executes true justice between men.

Ezekiel 18:17
He withholds his hand from harming the poor and takes no interest or usury. He keeps My ordinances and follows My statutes. Such a man will not die for his father’s iniquity. He will surely live.


Treasury of Scripture

And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.

Luke 6:35
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 14:12-14
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee…

Deuteronomy 15:8-11
But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth…

Jump to Previous
Act Bad Credit Expect Expecting Hope Hoping Kind Lend Money Order Receive Repaid Repayment Sinful Sinners Thank Thanks Use
Jump to Next
Act Bad Credit Expect Expecting Hope Hoping Kind Lend Money Order Receive Repaid Repayment Sinful Sinners Thank Thanks Use
Luke 6
1. Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12. chooses apostles;
17. heals the diseased;
20. preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27. Love your Enemy
37. Do not Judge
43. A Tree and Its Fruit
46. The House on the Rock














And if you lend
The act of lending in the biblical context often goes beyond mere financial transactions. The Greek word used here is "δανείζω" (daneizō), which implies a sense of giving with the expectation of return. In ancient Jewish culture, lending was a common practice, but it was also governed by laws that encouraged generosity and fairness, especially towards the poor (Deuteronomy 15:7-11). This phrase challenges believers to consider the heart behind their actions, urging them to lend with a spirit of generosity rather than obligation.

to those from whom you expect repayment
The expectation of repayment is a natural human inclination, yet Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard. The Greek word "ἀπολαμβάνω" (apolambanō) means to receive back or recover. In the historical context, lending with the expectation of repayment was a norm, but Jesus is teaching a radical form of love that transcends conventional expectations. This phrase encourages believers to reflect on their motivations and to lend without the anticipation of return, embodying the selfless love of Christ.

what credit is that to you?
The word "credit" here is translated from the Greek "χάρις" (charis), which is often rendered as "grace" or "favor." This rhetorical question challenges the reader to consider the spiritual value of their actions. In a society where transactions were often reciprocal, Jesus is highlighting that true grace is found in giving without seeking personal gain. This phrase invites believers to pursue actions that reflect God's grace, which is given freely and without expectation.

Even sinners lend to sinners
The term "sinners" in this context refers to those who are outside the covenant community or those who do not live according to God's laws. The Greek word "ἁμαρτωλοί" (hamartōloi) underscores the universality of sin and the common practice of lending among all people, regardless of their spiritual state. This phrase serves as a reminder that Christian behavior should be distinct from worldly practices, characterized by a love that mirrors God's unconditional love.

expecting to be repaid in full
The expectation of full repayment is a reflection of the transactional nature of human relationships. The Greek word "ἐλπίζω" (elpizō) means to hope or expect, and it is used here to describe the anticipation of receiving back what was given. In the historical context, this was a standard practice, yet Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of love and generosity. This phrase challenges believers to transcend the ordinary expectations of society and to give with a heart that seeks no return, embodying the sacrificial love of Christ.

(34) If ye lend to them . . .--This special illustration of the law of unselfish kindness is in this collocation peculiar to St. Luke; but it is implied in the precept of Matthew 5:42.

To receive as much again.--It is noticeable, as implying that the precepts were given in the first instance to Jewish hearers, that receiving interest on the loan is not contemplated at all. (See Note on Matthew 5:42.)



Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
And
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

if
ἐὰν (ean)
Conjunction
Strong's 1437: If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.

you lend [to those]
δανίσητε (danisēte)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1155: To lend; mid: I borrow. From daneion; to loan on interest; reflexively, to borrow.

from
παρ’ (par’)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

whom
ὧν (hōn)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

you expect
ἐλπίζετε (elpizete)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1679: To hope, hope for, expect, trust. From elpis; to expect or confide.

repayment,
λαβεῖν (labein)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

what
ποία (poia)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4169: Of what sort. From the base of pou and hoios; individualizing interrogative what sort of, or which one.

credit
χάρις (charis)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5485: From chairo; graciousness, of manner or act.

is that
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

to you?
ὑμῖν (hymin)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

Even
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

sinners
ἁμαρτωλοὶ (hamartōloi)
Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

lend
δανίζουσιν (danizousin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 1155: To lend; mid: I borrow. From daneion; to loan on interest; reflexively, to borrow.

to sinners,
ἁμαρτωλοῖς (hamartōlois)
Adjective - Dative Masculine Plural
Strong's 268: Sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable. From hamartano; sinful, i.e. A sinner.

expecting
ἵνα (hina)
Conjunction
Strong's 2443: In order that, so that. Probably from the same as the former part of heautou; in order that.

to be repaid
ἀπολάβωσιν (apolabōsin)
Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 618: From apo and lambano; to receive; also to take aside.

in full.
ἴσα (isa)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2470: Equal, equivalent, identical. Probably from eido; similar.


Links
Luke 6:34 NIV
Luke 6:34 NLT
Luke 6:34 ESV
Luke 6:34 NASB
Luke 6:34 KJV

Luke 6:34 BibleApps.com
Luke 6:34 Biblia Paralela
Luke 6:34 Chinese Bible
Luke 6:34 French Bible
Luke 6:34 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Luke 6:34 If you lend to those from whom (Luke Lu Lk)
Luke 6:33
Top of Page
Top of Page