“Agape” Verses in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John 3: an exercise
Varying types of Agape in Matthew, Luke and John 3
Here are all the verses where “agape” is found in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and the third chapter of the Gospel of John. See if you can find verses where “agape”, in its context, is utilized to describe holy “agape”, or misdirected (bad) “agape”, or “agape” which is common to all people, or greater and lesser degrees of “agape”, or paternal “agape”.
Some fit more than one category. In each verse “agape” is the word for the emotion we call “love”.
Take a look and work through this exercise. It will help you come to grips with the special “agape” Father has for you.
Matthew Verses
Matthew 3:17 and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My agaped Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 5:43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL agape YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 5:44 “But I say to you, agape your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 5:46 “For if you agape those who agape you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and agape the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 12:18 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY Agaped One IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 17:5 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, “This is My agaped Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 19:19 HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER; and YOU SHALL agape YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 22:37 And He said to him, “‘YOU SHALL agape THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 22:39 “The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL agape YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Matthew 24:12 “Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s agape will grow cold.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke Verses
Luke 3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came out of heaven, “You are My agaped Son, in You I am well-pleased.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, agape your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 6:32 “If you agape those who agape you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners agape those who agape them.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 6:35 “But agape your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 7:5 for he agapes our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 7:42 “When they were unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will agape him more?”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 7:47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she agaped much; but he who is forgiven little, agapes little.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 10:27 And he answered, “YOU SHALL agape THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 11:42 “But woe to you Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the agape of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 11:43 “Woe to you Pharisees! For you agape the chief seats in the synagogues and the respectful greetings in the market places.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and agape the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
Luke 20:13 “The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my agaped son; perhaps they will respect him.’
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
John 3 Verses
John 3:16 “For God so agaped the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
John 3:19 “This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men agaped the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity
John 3:35 “The Father agapes the Son and has given all things into His hand.
a. this is holy agape towards a holy person
b. this is holy agape towards another person who may be holy, or not so holy
c. this exemplifies the type of agape which is a love that is a natural, common, experience
d. this exemplifies the type of agape which is misdirected and immoral love
e. this exemplifies the type of agape describing paternal affection
f. this exemplifies the type of agape describing love which can be of greater or lesser levels of intensity