diff --git a/runtime/doc/lua.txt b/runtime/doc/lua.txt
index 433a9fc266..fecdfd9bd0 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/lua.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/lua.txt
@@ -254,6 +254,11 @@ arguments separated by " " (space) instead of "\t" (tab).
 <    To see the LuaJIT version: >vim
         :lua =jit.version
 <
+:{range}lua
+    Executes the |[range]| in the current buffer as Lua code. Unlike |:source|,
+    this will execute the specified lines regardless of the extension or
+    |'filetype'| of the buffer.
+
                                                                 *:lua-heredoc*
 :lua << [trim] [{endmarker}]
 {script}
diff --git a/runtime/doc/news.txt b/runtime/doc/news.txt
index 2212b9910b..40717f8ecf 100644
--- a/runtime/doc/news.txt
+++ b/runtime/doc/news.txt
@@ -340,6 +340,9 @@ The following changes to existing APIs or features add new behavior.
 • |:source| without arguments treats a buffer with its 'filetype' set to "lua"
   as Lua code regardless of its extension.
 
+• |:lua| with a |[range]| executes that range in the current buffer as Lua code
+  regardless of its extension.
+
 • |:checkhealth| buffer now implements |folding|. The initial folding status is
   defined by the 'foldenable' option.
 
diff --git a/src/nvim/ex_cmds.lua b/src/nvim/ex_cmds.lua
index 551d228862..1318eda5eb 100644
--- a/src/nvim/ex_cmds.lua
+++ b/src/nvim/ex_cmds.lua
@@ -1612,7 +1612,7 @@ module.cmds = {
   },
   {
     command = 'lua',
-    flags = bit.bor(RANGE, EXTRA, NEEDARG, CMDWIN, LOCK_OK),
+    flags = bit.bor(RANGE, EXTRA, CMDWIN, LOCK_OK),
     addr_type = 'ADDR_LINES',
     func = 'ex_lua',
   },
diff --git a/src/nvim/lua/executor.c b/src/nvim/lua/executor.c
index f48cab6739..3139e924a1 100644
--- a/src/nvim/lua/executor.c
+++ b/src/nvim/lua/executor.c
@@ -1649,6 +1649,15 @@ bool nlua_is_deferred_safe(void)
 void ex_lua(exarg_T *const eap)
   FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_ALL
 {
+  if (eap->addr_count > 0 || *eap->arg == NUL) {
+    if (eap->addr_count > 0 && *eap->arg == NUL) {
+      cmd_source_buffer(eap, true);
+    } else {
+      semsg(_(e_invarg2), "exactly one of {chunk} and {range} required");
+    }
+    return;
+  }
+
   size_t len;
   char *code = script_get(eap, &len);
   if (eap->skip || code == NULL) {
diff --git a/src/nvim/runtime.c b/src/nvim/runtime.c
index 3f8e467118..77a22b6fd1 100644
--- a/src/nvim/runtime.c
+++ b/src/nvim/runtime.c
@@ -1779,7 +1779,7 @@ freeall:
 static void cmd_source(char *fname, exarg_T *eap)
 {
   if (eap != NULL && *fname == NUL) {
-    cmd_source_buffer(eap);
+    cmd_source_buffer(eap, false);
   } else if (eap != NULL && eap->forceit) {
     // ":source!": read Normal mode commands
     // Need to execute the commands directly.  This is required at least
@@ -1989,7 +1989,7 @@ static int source_using_linegetter(void *cookie, LineGetter fgetline, const char
   return retval;
 }
 
-static void cmd_source_buffer(const exarg_T *const eap)
+void cmd_source_buffer(const exarg_T *const eap, bool ex_lua)
   FUNC_ATTR_NONNULL_ALL
 {
   if (curbuf == NULL) {
@@ -2012,9 +2012,10 @@ static void cmd_source_buffer(const exarg_T *const eap)
     .buf = ga.ga_data,
     .offset = 0,
   };
-  if (strequal(curbuf->b_p_ft, "lua")
+  if (ex_lua || strequal(curbuf->b_p_ft, "lua")
       || (curbuf->b_fname && path_with_extension(curbuf->b_fname, "lua"))) {
-    nlua_source_using_linegetter(get_str_line, (void *)&cookie, ":source (no file)");
+    char *name = ex_lua ? ":lua (no file)" : ":source (no file)";
+    nlua_source_using_linegetter(get_str_line, (void *)&cookie, name);
   } else {
     source_using_linegetter((void *)&cookie, get_str_line, ":source (no file)");
   }
diff --git a/test/functional/lua/commands_spec.lua b/test/functional/lua/commands_spec.lua
index 28a99a86f8..083f6f3541 100644
--- a/test/functional/lua/commands_spec.lua
+++ b/test/functional/lua/commands_spec.lua
@@ -55,6 +55,12 @@ describe(':lua command', function()
     )
   end)
   it('throws catchable errors', function()
+    for _, cmd in ipairs({ 'lua', '1lua chunk' }) do
+      eq(
+        'Vim(lua):E475: Invalid argument: exactly one of {chunk} and {range} required',
+        pcall_err(command, cmd)
+      )
+    end
     eq(
       [[Vim(lua):E5107: Error loading lua [string ":lua"]:0: unexpected symbol near ')']],
       pcall_err(command, 'lua ()')
@@ -192,6 +198,25 @@ describe(':lua command', function()
       exec_capture('=x(false)')
     )
   end)
+
+  it('works with range in current buffer', function()
+    local screen = Screen.new(40, 10)
+    screen:attach()
+    api.nvim_buf_set_lines(0, 0, 0, 0, { 'function x() print "hello" end', 'x()' })
+    feed(':1,2lua<CR>')
+    screen:expect {
+      grid = [[
+        function x() print "hello" end          |
+        x()                                     |
+        ^                                        |
+        {1:~                                       }|*6
+        hello                                   |
+      ]],
+      attr_ids = {
+        [1] = { foreground = Screen.colors.Blue, bold = true },
+      },
+    }
+  end)
 end)
 
 describe(':luado command', function()