The famous saying, “Do to others as you would have them do to you”. It's found in the Bible (Matthew 7:12). Similar to this is found in many religions and philosophies around the world. So then did the ‘Golden Rule’ really come from Jesus, or did He hear it somewhere? Here are some similar teachings from other religions or philosophies.
Ancient Egypt: “Now this is the command: Do to the doer to make him do”
The Eloquent Peasant, around 1800 BCE
Buddha: “Hurt not others with that which pains yourself.”
The Udanavarga, around 600 BCE
Ancient Greece: “What you do not want to happen to you, do not do it yourself either.”
Sextus the Pythagorean, around 300 BCE
We see these are almost, but not quite, the Golden Rule
But let's look at how the Bible puts it:
... you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 19:18, around 1400 BCE
Love your neighbour - care about them - as you do about yourself! This message has not been found to be clearly stated in any other religion or philosophy before the Bible.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
(John 3:16)
What does the Bible mean - when it says God gave us His son?
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures
(1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
And, who is His son?
Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: When his mother Mary had been betrothed [engaged] to Joseph, before they came together she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly.
But when he thought on these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take you Mary as your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she shall bring forth a son; and you shall call his name JESUS [literally, ‘Saviour’]; for it is he that shall save his people from their sins.
Now all this is come to pass, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, And they shall call his name Immanuel; which is, being tranlated, God with us. And Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took to him his wife; and did not know her till she had brought forth a son: and he called his name JESUS.
(Matthew 1:18-25)
... Christ Jesus, who, existing in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God: but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.
(Philippians 2:5-8)
All other religions teach that man somehow, by his own goodness, cleverness, and effort: come up to the level of God.
But christianity teaches something very different. That man cannot reach up to God ... so in His love, God came down to us. And He Himself paid for our sins!