What Does the Bible Say About Loving Your Neighbor — In Biblical Context
Jesus identified 'love your neighbor as yourself' as the second greatest commandment, and the parable of the Good Samaritan defines neighbor as anyone in need.
Jesus identified 'love your neighbor as yourself' as the second greatest commandment, and the parable of the Good Samaritan defines neighbor as anyone in need.
"And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." — Matthew 22:39 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
The command to love your neighbor originates in Leviticus 19:18 and was elevated by Jesus as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39). When a lawyer asked 'Who is my neighbour?' Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), radically expanding the definition to include anyone in need—even enemies. Loving your neighbor means practical action: feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, caring for the sick (Matthew 25:35-40). Paul summarized the Law as fulfilled in this command (Romans 13:9-10, Galatians 5:14). John wrote that love for others is evidence of knowing God (1 John 4:7-8) and that you cannot love God while hating your brother (1 John 4:20).
Where It Sits in Scripture
Supporting Passages
"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise."
"If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?"
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