The verse in the Bible, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is commonly known as The Golden Rule. It’s found in both Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31 and is a command based on Jesus's words in the Sermon on the Mount: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Although many believe Jesus coined the phrase, this isn’t true. Confucius and Epicurus who lived before Jesus, had a similar version of this rule.
"What you do not wish upon yourself, extend not to others." — Confucius (ca. 551–479 BCE)
"Neither to harm, nor be harmed."— Epicurus (c. 350 BCE)
Still, Jesus said this Golden Rule "do unto others"... “sums up the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12), which were written before these two men.
Although Jesus was the Word made flesh, He made Himself a student of the law. Jesus grew up learning in the temple from religioujs leaders and teachers of the law. In the book of Leviticus, a core book of the law, we find another variation of what we call The Golden Rule.
“‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”(Leviticus 19:33-34 )
Jesus more than studied these words—as God, He is their source and embodied them.
The Biblical Origin of "Do Unto Others"
In His sermon on the mount, Jesus said repeatedly “You have heard that it was said…but I tell you.” Jesus wasn’t correcting the law; He was illuminating the Spirit of the law—the life and meaning behind it.
There are two places the Bible documents where Jesus spoke the words we call The Golden Rule.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:12, KJV)
Other versions phrase it this way:
- Therefore, whatever you want others to do for you, do also the same for them-this is the Law and the Prophets. - Holman Christian Standard
- So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. - English Standard Version
- Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get. - The Message
- Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets. - Common English Bible
- Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is [the meaning of] Moses' Teachings and the Prophets. - GOD'S WORD Translation
Take note of that last line—f"or this is the law and the prophets", or "sums up"
Other versions say: “this is the essence." and “this is the meaning.”
Jesus used this Golden Rule to sum up the meaning of the law and the prophets.
What Matthew 7:12 Reveals about God’s Love
When Jesus commanded "do unto others"i, he wasn’t simply giving us a rule to follow. He was unveiling the purity of God’s love and the depravity of the human heart. Jesus said:
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”(Matthew 5:17)
Love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:10). Jesus fulfilled the law and demonstrated this love (John 15:13) by laying down His life for us. The Golden Rule tells us to walk in this kind of love.
When Jesus told His disciples: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
They expected to be able to do it. But Jesus knew better. Humanity is not capable of loving the way God loves without the help of God Himself. John puts it beautifully in 1 John 4:19, “We love because He first loved us.”
To “Do unto others,” as the Bible instructs, means to receive love from God and give it to others—also known as The Royal Law (James 2:8).
How to Apply the Golden Rule in Your Life (and it's Benefits)
Applying the principle of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" to daily living means treating people with the same kindness, respect, and consideration that you would like to receive. It’s about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and asking, “How would I feel in this situation?” For example, if you appreciate honesty and support, then practice being honest and supportive towards others. This principle encourages empathy and fosters positive interactions, creating a ripple effect of kindness in our communities.
Living by this rule has numerous benefits. It strengthens relationships because when you treat others well, they are more likely to reciprocate. This mutual respect and kindness can lead to a more harmonious and supportive community. On a personal level, practicing "do unto others" can enhance your emotional well-being.
Acts of kindness and compassion can reduce stress and boost your mood, as numerous studies have shown that helping others releases endorphins, often referred to as the “helper’s high.” When we pause to walk in someone elses shoes and take a moment to treat them with love and respect, we too experience the blessing of empathy.
Danielle Bernock is an international, award-winning author. Her works include: Emerging With Wings: A True Story of Lies, Pain, And The LOVE that Heals, A Bird Named Payn, and Love’s Manifesto. Her new book Because You Matter: How to Take Ownership of Your Life so You Can Really Live will be released September, 15th 2019. For more information or to connect with Danielle at https://www.daniellebernock.com/
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Gift Habeshaw