Lesson 4 - Question 5 of 26

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Jesus instructs His Disciples on Prayer:

Early on in Jesus' ministry, people came to Him to listen to the things that He taught.  Many of these followers became disciples (the Greek word "mathetes" which means "learner" or "pupil").

Most of the instructions given in the New Testament by Jesus and the apostles were to people who were disciples of Jesus.  Later on these disciples began to be called Christians (see Acts 11:26).

This lesson is not intended to show you how to be a true disciple of Jesus (a true Christian).  This lesson assumes that you are already a true disciple of Jesus or that you already know those things that are necessary.  For information on becoming a Christian, please fully complete "Lesson 1 - The Gospel."

The Sermon on the Mount

In Matthew chapters 5-7, Jesus sat down with His disciples (see Matthew 5:1-2) to teach them many things.  Those things that pertain specifically to prayer are included below and in the next series of questions: 

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His 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 have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48 (NAS)

Question:

According to Matthew 5:44, what should we do with respect to our enemies and those who persecute us?

Ignore Them Kill Them Do What They Do Pray for Them

Other Translations - Matthew 5:43-48:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NIV)

"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 "For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? 48 "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. (NKJ)

Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: 44 but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; 45 that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust. 46 For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more (than others?) do not even the Gentiles the same? 48 Ye therefore shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (ASV)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (KJV)

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