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Matthew 5:40 if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;
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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And to the one willing to sue you and to take your tunic, yield to him the cloak as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have <i>thy</i> cloke also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have <i>your</i> cloak also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />“If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your garment also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />As for the one who wants to sue you and take away your shirt, let him have your coat as well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If someone sues you for your shirt, give up your coat as well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If someone wants to sue you in order to take your shirt, let him have your coat too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />And if someone takes you to court to sue you for your shirt, let him have your coat as well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat as well. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />And if someone wants to sue you and to take your tunic, give him your coat also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And if anyone sues you to take away your shirt, let him have your coat also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and whoever is willing to take you to law, and to take your coat—also permit to him the cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />And to the one willing to sue you and to take your tunic, yield to him the cloak as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and whoever is willing to take thee to law, and thy coat to take -- suffer to him also the cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And to him wishing to be judged with thee, and to take thy coat, let go to him also thy garment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And anyone who wishes to contend with you in judgment, and to take away your tunic, release to him your cloak also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well;<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And if anyone wishes to sue you at the court and take away your shirt, let him have your robe also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />And whoever wants to sue you and take your coat, leave for him also your cloak.<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />And to him that will go to law with you, and take away your coat, give your mantle also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>to him wishing to prosecute thee at law, and take away thy coat, let him have the cloak also.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />And if a man will prosecute thee, and take thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />and if any man will go to law with you, to have your coat, let him have your cloke too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />If any one wishes to go to law with you and to deprive you of your under garment, let him take your outer one also.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and to him who is desirous that you should be sued at the law, and to take your coat, grant your cloak also;<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>and if any <Fr><i>one</i><FR> would go to law with thee, to take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also, <Fr><i>rather than strive with him:</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/5-40.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1152" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Love Your Enemies</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">39</span>But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also; <span class="reftext">40</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">if someone</a> <a href="/greek/2309.htm" title="2309: thelonti (V-PPA-DMS) -- To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. ">wants</a> <a href="/greek/2919.htm" title="2919: krithēnai (V-ANP) -- Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.">to sue</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: soi (PPro-D2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/2983.htm" title="2983: labein (V-ANA) -- (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. ">take</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: sou (PPro-G2S) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">your</a> <a href="/greek/5509.htm" title="5509: chitōna (N-AMS) -- A tunic, garment, undergarment. Of foreign origin; a tunic or shirt.">tunic,</a> <a href="/greek/863.htm" title="863: aphes (V-AMA-2S) -- From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.">let him have</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons."></a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">your</a> <a href="/greek/2440.htm" title="2440: himation (N-ANS) -- A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.">cloak</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">as well;</a> </span> <span class="reftext">41</span>and if someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Luke 6:29</a></span><br />If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">1 Corinthians 6:7</a></span><br />The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-19</a></span><br />Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Proverbs 20:22</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Exodus 22:26-27</a></span><br />If you take your neighbor’s cloak as collateral, return it to him by sunset, / because his cloak is the only covering he has for his body. What else will he sleep in? And if he cries out to Me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/15-7.htm">Deuteronomy 15:7-11</a></span><br />If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother. / Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs. / Be careful not to harbor this wicked thought in your heart: “The seventh year, the year of release, is near,” so that you look upon your poor brother begrudgingly and give him nothing. He will cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-6.htm">Isaiah 50:6</a></span><br />I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-30.htm">Lamentations 3:30</a></span><br />Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-6.htm">James 5:6</a></span><br />You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/3-17.htm">1 John 3:17</a></span><br />If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-34.htm">Hebrews 10:34</a></span><br />You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, knowing that you yourselves had a better and permanent possession.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Luke 6:29</a></b></br> And unto him that smiteth thee on the <i>one</i> cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not <i>to take thy</i> coat also.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">1 Corinthians 6:7</a></b></br> Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather <i>suffer yourselves to</i> be defrauded?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/5-30.htm">Body</a> <a href="/jeremiah/43-12.htm">Cloak</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-17.htm">Cloke</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-3.htm">Coat</a> <a href="/malachi/3-5.htm">Deprive</a> <a href="/matthew/3-4.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/matthew/5-19.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-20.htm">Law</a> <a href="/micah/2-8.htm">Outer</a> <a href="/zechariah/13-4.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/john/21-7.htm">Shirt</a> <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/psalms/45-12.htm">Sue</a> <a href="/isaiah/59-4.htm">Sues</a> <a href="/matthew/3-15.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/isaiah/22-21.htm">Tunic</a> <a href="/ezekiel/46-7.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/matthew/1-19.htm">Willing</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/6-22.htm">Body</a> <a href="/matthew/9-16.htm">Cloak</a> <a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Cloke</a> <a href="/matthew/24-18.htm">Coat</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-5.htm">Deprive</a> <a href="/matthew/9-16.htm">Garment</a> <a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Goes</a> <a href="/matthew/7-12.htm">Law</a> <a href="/matthew/8-12.htm">Outer</a> <a href="/matthew/9-20.htm">Robe</a> <a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Shirt</a> <a href="/matthew/5-41.htm">Someone</a> <a href="/psalms/45-12.htm">Sue</a> <a href="/luke/14-32.htm">Sues</a> <a href="/matthew/7-4.htm">Suffer</a> <a href="/matthew/10-10.htm">Tunic</a> <a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Wants</a> <a href="/matthew/5-42.htm">Willing</a> <a href="/matthew/16-24.htm">Wishes</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">48. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>if someone wants to sue you</b><br>In the context of first-century Judea, legal disputes were common, and the Jewish legal system was based on the Torah. The act of suing indicates a formal legal proceeding, often involving a grievance or debt. This phrase suggests a situation where an individual is being taken to court, reflecting the litigious nature of society at the time. The Mosaic Law provided guidelines for resolving disputes, and Jesus' teaching here challenges the conventional approach to justice by advocating for a response that transcends legalistic retribution.<p><b>and take your tunic</b><br>The tunic was a basic garment worn next to the skin, often made of linen or wool. It was an essential piece of clothing in ancient times, and losing it would leave a person with only their outer garment. The mention of the tunic highlights the seriousness of the lawsuit, as it involves taking something of personal necessity. This reflects the vulnerability of the individual being sued and underscores the radical nature of Jesus' teaching, which calls for a response that goes beyond mere compliance with legal demands.<p><b>let him have your cloak as well;</b><br>The cloak, or outer garment, was more than just clothing; it was also used as a blanket for warmth, especially for the poor who might not have other means of covering themselves at night. According to <a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Exodus 22:26-27</a>, the cloak was considered so essential that it was protected by law, and a creditor was required to return it by sunset if taken as a pledge. Jesus' instruction to offer the cloak as well is a radical call to self-sacrifice and generosity, even at the cost of one's own comfort and security. This teaching aligns with the broader message of the Sermon on the Mount, which emphasizes love, mercy, and going beyond the letter of the law. It also reflects the example of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself fully for others, embodying the ultimate act of selflessness and love.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a></b><br>The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, which is a collection of teachings that emphasize the values and ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_disciples_and_the_crowd.htm">The Disciples and the Crowd</a></b><br>The immediate audience of Jesus' teachings, representing both His close followers and the broader group of people interested in His message.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a></b><br>A significant event in the New Testament where Jesus outlines the principles of His Kingdom, found in Matthew chapters 5-7.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/r/radical_generosity.htm">Radical Generosity</a></b><br>Jesus calls His followers to a standard of generosity that goes beyond legal obligations. This reflects a heart transformed by grace, willing to give more than what is demanded.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/n/non-retaliation.htm">Non-Retaliation</a></b><br>The teaching encourages believers to resist the natural inclination to retaliate or seek revenge, instead choosing a path of peace and reconciliation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_justice.htm">Trust in God's Justice</a></b><br>By willingly giving more than what is asked, believers demonstrate their trust in God's ultimate justice and provision, rather than relying on human systems of fairness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/witness_to_the_world.htm">Witness to the World</a></b><br>Such actions serve as a powerful testimony to the world, showcasing the distinctiveness of Christian ethics and the transformative power of the Gospel.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/day_26_insights_on_spiritual_growth.htm">What events define the Triumphal Entry in Volume 23?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_was_the_bleeding_woman_healed.htm">How was the woman with the issue of blood healed?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_jesus_misquote_the_ot.htm">Why does Jesus misquote the Old Testament in some passages?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_the_crucifixion_in_journey.htm">What events mark the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(40) <span class= "bld">If any man will sue thee at the law.</span>--The Greek is somewhat stronger: <span class= "ital">If a man will go</span>--i.e., <span class= "ital">is bent on going</span>--<span class= "ital">to law with thee.</span> The verse presents another aspect of the same temper of forbearance. Not in regard to acts of violence only, but also in dealing with the petty litigation that disturbs so many men's peace, it is better to yield than to insist on rights. St. Paul gives the same counsel to the believers at Corinth: "Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm" title="Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you go to law one with another. Why do you not rather take wrong? why do you not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?">1Corinthians 6:7</a>). Here also, of course, the precept, absolutely binding, as far as self-interest is concerned, may be traversed by higher considerations.<p><span class= "bld">Coat.</span>--The close-fitting tunic worn next the body.<p><span class= "bld">Cloke.</span>--The outer flowing mantle, the more costly garment of the two. (Comp. <a href="/john/19-23.htm" title="Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.">John 19:23</a>, and the combination of the two words, in <a href="/acts/9-39.htm" title="Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.">Acts 9:39</a>, "coats and garments.") The meaning of the illustration is obvious. It is wise rather to surrender more than is demanded, than to disturb the calm of our own spirit by wrangling and debate.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 40.</span> - The parallel passage, <a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Luke 6:29</a>b, gives the taking of the garments in the converse order. <span class="cmt_word">And if any man will sue thee</span>; Revised Version, <span class="accented">and if any man would go to law with thee.</span> Notice that "will," "would" (<span class="greek">τῷ θέλοντι</span>), implies that the trial has not yet even begun. Do this even <span class="accented">before</span> it. <span class="cmt_word">And take away</span> <span class="cmt_word">thy coat, let him have thy cloke also</span>. <span class="accented">Coat</span> (<span class="greek">χιτών</span>), equivalent to tunic, "shirt-like under-garment" (Meyer). <span class="accented">Cloke</span> (<span class="greek">ἱμάτιον</span>), equivalent to over-cloak, "mantle-like over-garment, toga, which also served for a covering by night, and might not therefore be retained as a pledge over night (<a href="/exodus/22-26.htm">Exodus 22:26</a>)' (Meyer). This is put second, as being the more valuable. In Luke, where there is no mention of the law-court, the thought seems to be merely of the violent removal of the garments, taking them as they came. <span class="accented">Let him have</span> (<span class="greek">ἄφες αὐτῷ</span>). More positive than Luke's "withhold not" (<span class="greek">μὴ κωλύσῃς</span>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-40.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">if someone</span><br /><span class="grk">τῷ</span> <span class="translit">(tō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wants</span><br /><span class="grk">θέλοντί</span> <span class="translit">(thelonti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Present Participle Active - Dative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2309.htm">Strong's 2309: </a> </span><span class="str2">To will, wish, desire, be willing, intend, design. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">to sue</span><br /><span class="grk">κριθῆναι</span> <span class="translit">(krithēnai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Passive<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2919.htm">Strong's 2919: </a> </span><span class="str2">Properly, to distinguish, i.e. Decide; by implication, to try, condemn, punish.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you</span><br /><span class="grk">σοι</span> <span class="translit">(soi)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">take</span><br /><span class="grk">λαβεῖν</span> <span class="translit">(labein)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2983.htm">Strong's 2983: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">your</span><br /><span class="grk">σου</span> <span class="translit">(sou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> </span><span class="str2">You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tunic,</span><br /><span class="grk">χιτῶνά</span> <span class="translit">(chitōna)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_5509.htm">Strong's 5509: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tunic, garment, undergarment. Of foreign origin; a tunic or shirt.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">let him have</span><br /><span class="grk">ἄφες</span> <span class="translit">(aphes)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_863.htm">Strong's 863: </a> </span><span class="str2">From apo and hiemi; to send forth, in various applications.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[your]</span><br /><span class="grk">τὸ</span> <span class="translit">(to)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cloak</span><br /><span class="grk">ἱμάτιον</span> <span class="translit">(himation)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2440.htm">Strong's 2440: </a> </span><span class="str2">A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">as well;</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/5-40.htm">Matthew 5:40 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/5-40.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:40 If anyone sues you to take away (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-39.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:39"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:39" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-41.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:41"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:41" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>