Sally A. Brown, Professor Emerita, Princeton Theological Seminary
Today’s text, Luke 6:27-38, begins with Jesus’ command, “Love your enemies.” Later, when Jesus teaches about love of neighbor, there will be questions; but apparently no one needed to ask, “Who is my enemy?” Status-defining social, ethnic, religious, and economic divides and hierarchies set groups against one another. For example, Jewish travelers usually took the long route from Galilee to Judea to avoid crossing Samaritan territory. Jews and Samaritans had viewed each other with mutual despite for centuries. In Samaria, Jews could be harassed. Similarly, Jews who were poor distrusted both wealthy Jews and Rome. A wealthy fellow Jew could take one’s land or business as collateral on unpaid loans. Rome could dispossess one of these assets for unpaid taxes.
Of course, enmity could arise between social equals, as well—persons of the same ethnicity and class. The cause might be a boundary dispute, an accusation of false weights used at a market stand, or a case of bodily harm. In disputes, escalating retaliation was reined in by the law of “life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, etc.” prescribed in Jewish law (Exodus 21:22-25). But in today’s gospel reading, Jesus sets a far higher standard: no retribution. For his followers, it still stands.
Jesus’ ethic for the new community he brought into being rejects not only angry, retaliatory response to harm, but disallows, as well, the in-kind, tit-for-tat response to a wrong suffered that was permissible under the Torah. Jesus teaches his followers to absorb a slap with non-retaliation, a curse with blessing, and theft with a gift. (Notably, in that culture, a gift was a gesture that reframed a relationship; it encouraged reciprocal giving.) Disciples must lend, “expecting nothing in return” (v 35). This was jaw-dropping, even for disciples (6:20a); such gestures would disrupt and subvert social norms.
Jesus’ ethic is still difficult to embrace. Yet we do so, not because it is manifestly easier (it is not), but because it expresses our true identity as “children of God,” our merciful Father (v 36), “who is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked” (v 35). We forego vengeance, we give and lend and forgive, leaving ultimate judgment to God. Interpreters of this text rightly stress that we should not misappropriate this ethic. This is not guidance for victims of abuse. No verbally, physically, or sexually abused child or adult should be counseled to stay with their abuser. A child’s extended exposure to abuse can create, not a saint, but an adult more likely to abuse. Similarly, Jesus is not advising us to tolerate or “forgive” the abuse or exploitation of a targeted group by others who regard themselves as superior. In Luke, Jesus publicly stands with targeted outsiders. So must we.
Today, Christians strive to apply Jesus’ teaching in day-to-day conflicts with family, neighbors, and co-workers. But what does non-retributive response look like in a time when much of the most intensely hateful treatment we experience is delivered digitally, at a distance? Gaslighting, lies, visual innuendo, and even A.I.-driven misrepresentations of a person are broadcast on social media, ruining their reputation and relationships. Does Jesus’ ethic of “love” for enemies apply here? If so, how?
It is significant that the “you” in today’s text is plural. Jesus is addressing us as a community of faith, not as isolated individuals. The Christian community is a crucial resource for courageous non-retaliation. Turning to our community when we are defamed, we can be bolstered by their empathy and respect. This helps us refrain from direct online verbal payback, which can drive an endless, toxic escalation of discourse. Supported by the faith of others, we can disengage. We can pray for haters, redirecting our energy to speak up for others being likewise misrepresented. Finally, our faith reminds us that when God’s renewal of all things is complete, every lie shall be exposed for what it is. The truth about all of us will be in plain sight, and God’s just mercy and merciful justice will prevail.
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