Bits of Torah Truths – #Torah Concept in the NT: Pray for Your Persecutors – Episode 655
Matthew 5:44
וַאֲנִי אוֹמֵר לָכֶם, אֶהֱבוּ אֶת אוֹיְבֵיכֶם וְהִתְפַּלְּלוּ בְּעַד רוֹדְפֵיכֶם,
Luke 6:28
בָּרְכוּ אֶת מְקַלְּלֵיכֶם וְהִתְפַּלְּלוּ בְּעַד הַפּוֹגְעִים בָּכֶם.
#torah #torahwisdom #torahtruth #torahforlife #torah4you #torahtruth
Matthew 5:44
5:44 “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (NASB)
Luke 6:28
6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (NASB)
https://www.matsati.com/index.php/category/bits-of-torah-truths/
Note that direct Torah parallels to “pray for your persecutors” (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28) are limited, but the Torah does contain principles that anticipate this teaching: instead of hating enemies, we are commanded to show compassion, justice, and even kindness toward our persecutors. – Torah Foundations of Loving/Helping Enemies – Your enemy’s ox Exodus 23:4–5 This is a striking command: even when someone is your enemy, you must act for their good. It anticipates Yeshua’s teaching by requiring active kindness toward adversaries. Don’t seek revenge Leviticus 19:18 While “neighbor” was often interpreted narrowly, the Torah’s ethic of refusing revenge lays the groundwork for extending love even to those who wrong you. Don’t despise an Edomite Deuteronomy 23:7 Israel was commanded not to hate even nations that oppressed them. This is a Torah-level restraint against vengeance and bitterness. How does prayer connect to “Pray for Persecutors?” The Torah does not explicitly command for enemies, but it does command acts of mercy and restraint toward them. Yeshua’s teaching in Matthew 5:44 and Luke 6:28 can be seen as an extension of these Torah principles: if you must help your enemy’s donkey, how much more should you pray for their well-being. Note how King Solomon wrote in Proverbs 25:21–22,which reinforces this: “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” These things demonstrate a continuity: Rather than overturning Torah, the NT teaching highlights its deeper intent, transforming enmity into compassion and reconciliation. Yeshua’s words in Matthew and Luke build directly on these Torah principles, turning outward acts of kindness into inward acts of prayer. This is how Yeshua taught Torah, the Torah has not passed away!
