King James Bible
"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."
Jesus establishes a universal principle by directing listeners to consider their own desires for how they wish to be treated. The word 'therefore' connects this teaching to his preceding discourse on prayer and God's generous nature, suggesting that those who receive from God should extend similar goodness to others. This command transforms passive desire into active responsibility, requiring believers to take initiative in treating others well rather than merely avoiding harm. The phrase emphasizes proactive kindness and moves beyond reciprocity to preemptive love. Jesus claims this principle encapsulates the entire ethical teaching of Hebrew Scripture, positioning the Golden Rule as the interpretive key to all commandments. This bold summary statement would have resonated powerfully with his Jewish audience who revered the Torah and prophetic writings.