The Golden Rule

"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

This is "the golden rule", do unto others as you would have them to do unto you. Treat people as you would like to be treated.

It is repeated in the Bible, "And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise." Luke 6:31

Many people can recite "the golden rule", even if they do not always practice it. However, rarely, if ever, do the people that say it, tell you that it is a paraphrased Bible verse quotation.

According to MacAthur the negatively stated version of this rule existed before Christ in the rabbinic writings, in Hinduism, and in Buddhism. The negative command was "what is hateful to yourself, do not to someone else."

Jesus stated this as a positive command, enriched its meaning, and underscored this one imperative aptly summarizes the whole gist of ethical principles contained in the Law and the Prophets. (MacArthur) The Law refers to the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament, and the Prophets refers to the remaining books of the Old Testament which were written by the prophets.