Luke 6:34If 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.
The setting
Galilee, ~30 AD. Jesus continues his radical teaching about money and relationships to a mixed crowd of poor and wealthy followers near Capernaum, modern-day Israel.
The emotion here: confronting comfortable assumptions
The original word
danizo (δανίζω) — to lend money at interest, the standard banking practice Jesus is challenging
Why it matters
Roman law allowed up to 12% annual interest, and Jewish moneylenders often charged fellow Jews despite Torah prohibitions
Read with care
What most readers miss in Luke 6:34
Jesus specifically mentions 'receiving back as much' — he's talking about lending with interest, not just getting your principal back
Common misconceptionPeople think this makes Jesus anti-business or anti-profit. He's not condemning fair business practices — he's saying if you only lend to profit, you're no different from anyone else.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Luke 6:34
Bible Genome reading
Luke 6:34 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Luke 6:34 comes from the book of Luke, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is deciding, with a comfort power of 15% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the letter genre of biblical literature. Key themes include lending, higher standard. Notable phrases: what credit is that; sinners lend to sinners.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same deciding
“"You shall have no other gods before me.”
— Deuteronomy 5:7
“"You shall not murder.”
— Exodus 20:13
“Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
— Matthew 23:12
“For God didn't give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
— 2 Timothy 1:7
“But Peter said, "Silver and gold have I none, but what I have, that I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"”
— Acts 3:6
Your reflection
What does Luke 6:34 mean to you, today?
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