Matthew 5:44 net — But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

NET Bible

"But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,"

— Matthew 5:44, NET Bible

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Matthew 5:44 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations

Matthew 5 — Context

41

And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two.

42

Give to the one who asks you, and do not reject the one who wants to borrow from you.

43

Love for Enemies“You have heard that it was said,‘Love your neighbor’ and‘hate your enemy.’

44

But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,

45

so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

46

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they?

47

And if you only greet your brothers, what more do you do? Even the Gentiles do the same, don’t they?

Matthew 5:44 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 5:44 say?
Matthew 5:44 in the NET Bible reads: “But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,”
Where is Matthew 5:44 in the Bible?
Matthew 5:44 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 44.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 5:44.
What translation should I read Matthew 5:44 in?
Matthew 5:44 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 5:44?
Matthew 5:44 reads (NET): “But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you,” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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