In the explanation of Luke 6:17, it is said that three categories of people listen to Jesus. In the overview of Luke 6:20–23 it is stated that Jesus is not addressing two kinds of people, but he is addressing the listener. Each listener must choose from two options, for the blessing or the woe (to be blessed or to fall under the woe). After Jesus warns against falling into the woe, he again addresses, in this verse, those who listen to him—the twelve disciples, the broader group of disciples and the multitude—including those who are not yet among the disciples of Jesus. Even they are called upon to abide by the rules of the kingdom. Preaching about God’s kingdom should not merely address the inner circle.

In the second part of this verse, Jesus indicates the attitude that a citizen of his kingdom (in other words, a disciple of Jesus) should have: love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. It can be enlightening to put a colon at the end of this verse, or to fill in for yourself that means the following, for Luke 6:28–35 concretely explain what it entails to love your enemies.