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Matthew 5:46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?

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Are not even the tax collectors doing that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />&#8220;For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don&#8217;t even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don&#8217t even the tax collectors do the same? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors love their friends. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD&reg; Translation</a></span><br />If you love those who love you, do you deserve a reward? Even the tax collectors do that!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? Even the tax collectors do that! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don't they? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don't they?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For if ye love them who love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don&#8217;t even the tax collectors do the same? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For if you may love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do the tax collectors not also do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'For, if ye may love those loving you, what reward have ye? do not also the tax-gatherers the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For if ye love them loving you, what reward have you? do not also the tax collectors the same?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have? do not even the publicans this? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even tax collectors behave this way?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For if you love only those who love you, what reward will you have? Do not even the publicans do the same thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what benefit is it to you? Behold, do not even the Tax Collectors the same thing?<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the publicans the same?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>For if you love those that love you, what reward have ye? because the publicans also do the same.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />For if ye love those who love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same thing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />but if you love only them who love you, what reward can ye have? do not the heathens themselves do as much?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />For if you love only those who love you, what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>For, if ye love those who love you, what reward have ye? do not even the tax-collectors the same?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>For if ye love <Fr><i>only</i><FR> them that love you, what reward do ye expect? do not even the publicans the same?<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/5-46.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1193" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Love Your Enemies</a></span><br>&#8230;<span class="reftext">45</span>that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. <span class="reftext">46</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason."></a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: agap&#275;s&#275;te (V-ASA-2P) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">you love</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">those</a> <a href="/greek/25.htm" title="25: agap&#333;ntas (V-PPA-AMP) -- To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.">who love</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymas (PPro-A2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you,</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: tina (IPro-AMS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/3408.htm" title="3408: misthon (N-AMS) -- (a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad.">reward</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: echete (V-PIA-2P) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">will you get?</a> <a href="/greek/3780.htm" title="3780: ouchi (IntPrtcl) -- By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.">Do not</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">even</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hoi (Art-NMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5057.htm" title="5057: tel&#333;nai (N-NMP) -- A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.">tax collectors</a> <a href="/greek/4160.htm" title="4160: poiousin (V-PIA-3P) -- (a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.">do</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: auto (PPro-AN3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">same?</a> </span> <span class="reftext">47</span>And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even Gentiles do the same?&#8230;<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> &middot; <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Luke 6:32-33</a></span><br />If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. / If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-28</a></span><br />But to those of you who will listen, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, / bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Romans 12:9-10</a></span><br />Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. / Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-14.htm">Romans 12:14</a></span><br />Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-21</a></span><br />Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God&#8217;s wrath. For it is written: &#8220;Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.&#8221; ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-7.htm">1 John 4:7-8</a></span><br />Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. / Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/4-19.htm">1 John 4:19-21</a></span><br />We love because He first loved us. / If anyone says, &#8220;I love God,&#8221; but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. / And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-1.htm">1 Corinthians 13:1-3</a></span><br />If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. / If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. / If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4-7</a></span><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. / It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. / Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8</a></span><br />If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, &#8220;Love your neighbor as yourself,&#8221; you are doing well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/6-10.htm">Galatians 6:10</a></span><br />Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-17.htm">Proverbs 24:17-18</a></span><br />Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, / or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/3-27.htm">Proverbs 3:27-28</a></span><br />Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. / Do not tell your neighbor, &#8220;Come back tomorrow and I will provide&#8221;&#8212;when you already have the means.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same?</p><p class="hdg">if.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1</a></b></br> Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Luke 6:32-35</a></b></br> For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_peter/2-20.htm">1 Peter 2:20-23</a></b></br> For what glory <i>is it</i>, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer <i>for it</i>, ye take it patiently, this <i>is</i> acceptable with God&#8230; </p><p class="hdg">publicans.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Matthew 9:10,11</a></b></br> And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples&#8230; </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/11-19.htm">Matthew 11:19</a></b></br> The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-17.htm">Matthew 18:17</a></b></br> And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell <i>it</i> unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/luke/15-1.htm">Collectors</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm">Credit</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-31.htm">Earned</a> <a href="/matthew/5-44.htm">Love</a> <a href="/luke/19-2.htm">Publicans</a> <a href="/matthew/5-12.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/daniel/11-20.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/luke/15-1.htm">Tax-Farmers</a> <a href="/romans/13-6.htm">Tax-Gatherers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Collectors</a> <a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Credit</a> <a href="/luke/19-16.htm">Earned</a> <a href="/matthew/6-5.htm">Love</a> <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Publicans</a> <a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Reward</a> <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Tax</a> <a href="/matthew/9-10.htm">Tax-Farmers</a> <a href="/matthew/5-47.htm">Tax-Gatherers</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">48. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book&nbsp;&#9702;</a>&nbsp;<a href="/study/chapters/matthew/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter&nbsp;</a></tr></table></div><b>If you love those who love you,</b><br>This phrase challenges the common human tendency to reciprocate love only to those who show love in return. In the cultural context of Jesus' time, relationships were often transactional, with social norms emphasizing mutual benefit. Jesus calls His followers to a higher standard of love, one that mirrors God's unconditional love. This teaching aligns with the broader biblical theme of agape love, which is selfless and sacrificial, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/13.htm">1 Corinthians 13</a>.<p><b>what reward will you get?</b><br>The concept of reward here is not necessarily material or earthly but spiritual and eternal. Jesus often spoke of heavenly rewards, emphasizing that true discipleship involves seeking God's approval rather than human recognition. This echoes the teachings found in <a href="/matthew/6.htm">Matthew 6:1-4</a>, where Jesus warns against performing righteous acts for the sake of public admiration.<p><b>Do not even tax collectors do the same?</b><br>Tax collectors in Jesus' time were often despised by the Jewish people because they worked for the Roman authorities and were known for their corruption and greed. By using tax collectors as an example, Jesus highlights that even those considered morally questionable can love those who love them. This comparison underscores the call for His followers to exceed the righteousness of the common societal norms, as seen in <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Matthew 5:20</a>. The mention of tax collectors also foreshadows the transformative power of Jesus' ministry, as seen in the conversion of Matthew, a former tax collector, into one of His disciples.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a foundational teaching of Christian ethics and behavior.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/disciples_and_followers.htm">Disciples and Followers</a></b><br>The primary audience of the Sermon on the Mount, representing all who seek to follow Christ's teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tax_collectors.htm">Tax Collectors</a></b><br>Often viewed negatively in Jewish society at the time, they were seen as traitors and sinners due to their collaboration with the Roman authorities and their reputation for dishonesty.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_radical_love.htm">The Call to Radical Love</a></b><br>Jesus challenges His followers to love beyond the natural human inclination to love only those who reciprocate. This radical love reflects the character of God and distinguishes believers from the world.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_'reward'.htm">Understanding 'Reward'</a></b><br>The Greek word for "reward" (misthos) implies a recompense or wage. Jesus is teaching that the true reward comes from loving as God loves, not from human recognition or reciprocation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_example_of_tax_collectors.htm">The Example of Tax Collectors</a></b><br>By referencing tax collectors, Jesus highlights that even those considered morally questionable can love those who love them. Believers are called to a higher standard of love that mirrors God's unconditional love.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/practical_love_in_action.htm">Practical Love in Action</a></b><br>Loving those who do not love us back requires intentionality and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It involves acts of kindness, forgiveness, and prayer for those who may oppose or harm us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_god's_love.htm">Reflecting God's Love</a></b><br>As Christians, our love should be a reflection of God's love, which is unconditional and sacrificial. This love serves as a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(46) <span class= "bld">The publicans.</span>--An account of the "publicans" of our Lord's time will find a more fitting place in the Notes on <a href="/matthew/9-9.htm" title="And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said to him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.">Matthew 9:9</a>. Here, it may be remarked that our Lord puts Himself, as it were, on the level of those to whom He speaks. They despised the publicans as below them, almost as a Pariah caste, and He speaks, as if He were using their own familiar language, yet with a widely different application. Were they after all above the publicans, if they confined their love to a reciprocity of good offices?<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 46.</span> - Vers. 46, 47; parallel passage: <a href="/luke/6-32.htm">Luke 6:32, 33</a>. <span class="cmt_word">For if</span>, etc. The principle of the Law, reciprocity - love your neighbour and him only - is in reality no better than the principle adopted by those who are renegades to true religion (<span class="greek">&#x3bf;&#x1f31;&#x20;&#x3c4;&#x3b5;&#x3bb;&#x1ff6;&#x3bd;&#x3b1;&#x3b9;</span>), or by those who have no knowledge of it (<span class="greek">&#x3bf;&#x1f31;&#x20;&#x1f10;&#x3b8;&#x3bd;&#x3b9;&#x3ba;&#x3bf;&#x1f77;</span>). Such a principle brings with it no other corresponding effect (<span class="greek">&#x3bc;&#x3b9;&#x3c3;&#x3b8;&#x1f79;&#x3c2;</span>, ver. 12, note) than such as even these receive. You aim at more, the privileges belonging to the sons of God; therefore do more. <span class="cmt_word">What reward have ye?</span> <span class="accented">i.e.</span> already entered in God's book of account (Winer, &sect; 40:2, <span class="accented">a</span>). <span class="cmt_word">The publicans</span>; Revised Version margin, "That is, <span class="accented">collectors or renters of Roman taxes:</span> and so elsewhere." To this short description little need be added. The Roman system of taxation was to put up the country, or certain productions of the country, at auction, and to "sell" them to any who would undertake to pay the greatest amount of revenue from them (cf. also Josephus's account of the Egyptian method, <span class="date">B.C. 250</span>, 'Ant.,' 12:04. 4; and Sayce's article in the <span class="accented">Jewish Quarterly</span>, July, 1890, on a Jewish taxgatherer at Thebes, <span class="date">B.C. 140</span>). This contract was in turn divided and subdivided, those who actually drew the money from the people being generally natives. It thus being the interest of every contractor and sub-contractor to squeeze as much as possible from those under him, the whole system was demoralizing to all engaged in it. In the case of Judaea it was especially so, as there was a strong feeling among religious Jews against the lawfulness of paying taxes to a Gentile ruler (cf. <a href="/matthew/22-17.htm">Matthew 22:17</a>, note). It is no wonder, therefore, that we find the native collectors (even of districts where the money raised went to Antipas's treasury, <a href="/matthew/9-9.htm">Matthew 9:9</a>, note) classed with "harlots" (<a href="/matthew/21-31.htm">Matthew 21:31</a>), "sinners" (<a href="/matthew/9-11.htm">Matthew 9:11</a>), the heathen (ver. 4:7; <a href="/matthew/18-17.htm">Matthew 18:17</a>). Yet out of these one was chosen to be among the twelve, and to write that Gospel which specially describes the relation of Jesus of Nazareth to the religious expectations of the nation. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-46.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7952;&#8048;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(ean)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> </span><span class="str2">If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you love</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#947;&#945;&#960;&#942;&#963;&#951;&#964;&#949;</span> <span class="translit">(agap&#275;s&#275;te)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> </span><span class="str2">To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">those</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#959;&#8058;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(tous)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who love</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7936;&#947;&#945;&#960;&#8182;&#957;&#964;&#945;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(agap&#333;ntas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_25.htm">Strong's 25: </a> </span><span class="str2">To love, wish well to, take pleasure in, long for; denotes the love of reason, esteem. Perhaps from agan; to love.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you,</span><br /><span class="grk">&#8017;&#956;&#8118;&#962;</span> <span class="translit">(hymas)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">what</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#943;&#957;&#945;</span> <span class="translit">(tina)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">reward</span><br /><span class="grk">&#956;&#953;&#963;&#952;&#8056;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(misthon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3408.htm">Strong's 3408: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) pay, wages, salary, (b) reward, recompense, punishment. Apparently a primary word; pay for service, good or bad.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will you get?</span><br /><span class="grk">&#7956;&#967;&#949;&#964;&#949;</span> <span class="translit">(echete)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> </span><span class="str2">To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Do not</span><br /><span class="grk">&#959;&#8016;&#967;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(ouchi)</span><br /><span class="parse">IntPrtcl<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3780.htm">Strong's 3780: </a> </span><span class="str2">By no means, not at all. Intensive of ou; not indeed.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">even</span><br /><span class="grk">&#954;&#945;&#8054;</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">tax collectors</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#949;&#955;&#8182;&#957;&#945;&#953;</span> <span class="translit">(tel&#333;nai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5057.htm">Strong's 5057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A publican, collector of taxes. From telos and oneomai; a tax-farmer, i.e. Collector of public revenue.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do</span><br /><span class="grk">&#960;&#959;&#953;&#959;&#8166;&#963;&#953;&#957;</span> <span class="translit">(poiousin)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4160.htm">Strong's 4160: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I make, manufacture, construct, (b) I do, act, cause. Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the</span><br /><span class="grk">&#964;&#8056;</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">same?</span><br /><span class="grk">&#945;&#8016;&#964;&#8056;</span> <span class="translit">(auto)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Neuter 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/5-46.htm">Matthew 5:46 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/5-46.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:46 For if you love those who love (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-45.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:45"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:45" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-47.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:47"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:47" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>

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