Matthew 7:12 12Therefore, whatever things you want people do to you, so also you do to them; for this is the Law and the Prophets.
This statement is known as the golden rule and is found in various forms in different religions of the world. It shows the most basic consideration of one human to another. It is another form of the second greatest commandment of loving one’s neighbor as oneself (19:19; 22:39). The saying is given in a positive way in this verse. Obviously, we do not want to do anything that will harm, hurt, or cause problems to our neighbors because we do not want them to do those things to us. Most of the world lives by this approach. The principle stated in a negative way keeps societies functioning.
Jesus puts the principle in a positive way for his disciples. We go beyond the basic level of respect of worldly cultures and instead, do positive actions that benefit those around us. Love is not passive indifference where we do not hurt our neighbor, but love is active by doing helpful things to our neighbor. The unstated point of this principle is that we do these positive things without expecting any return. The kingdom lifestyle go beyond “do no harm,” but stretches to do as much good as possible. As salt and light, we must bring about positive change through our unconditional love. Christian love is more than common courtesy but should never be less.
Jesus’s principle summarizes what Scripture teaches in the Law and the Prophets, which are two major divisions in the Hebrew Bible. This verse echoes 22:40, which is the verse directly after he states the second greatest command. The implication is that the principle in 7:12 is another way to say the command of 22:39 to love one’s neighbor.
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