Matthew 5 40

Matthew 5:40 kjv

And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

Matthew 5:40 nkjv

If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.

Matthew 5:40 niv

And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

Matthew 5:40 esv

And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

Matthew 5:40 nlt

If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too.

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 40 Meaning

Matthew 5:40 teaches believers a radical form of non-retaliation and generosity, instructing them to surrender even more than what is demanded when faced with a legal dispute concerning their possessions. Specifically, if someone sues you for your inner garment (tunic), you should offer them your outer garment (cloak) as well. This principle goes beyond merely not resisting evil; it commands an active, voluntary act of giving, reflecting a kingdom ethic that prioritizes love, peace, and spiritual victory over asserting personal rights or demanding justice for oneself.

Matthew 5 40 Context

Matthew 5:40 is part of Jesus's Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), specifically within His teachings on "You have heard that it was said..." where He reinterprets or expands upon Mosaic Law, emphasizing a deeper, internal righteousness. This verse follows the direct command in Mt 5:39 not to resist an evil person, serving as a specific example of this principle applied to legal and financial grievances.

The immediate cultural context for Jesus's audience included the practice of legal disputes in the Roman-occupied Judea. Roman law and Jewish tradition had provisions for handling debts and grievances, often involving personal property. The "tunic" (Greek: chitōn) was an inner garment, while the "cloak" (Greek: himátion) was an outer garment, often large enough to serve as a blanket for sleeping. Mosaic Law (Ex 22:26-27, Deut 24:12-13) explicitly protected the borrower's cloak, requiring it to be returned before nightfall if taken as a pledge, because it was essential for survival. By telling His followers to give their cloak as well, Jesus radically overturned typical legal and self-preservation instincts. This was a polemic against the prevailing mindset of seeking to preserve one's rights at all costs, especially when justice seemed to favor one's own side. Jesus redirected attention from legal victory or personal recompense to demonstrating the selfless, agape love characteristic of His kingdom.

Matthew 5 40 Word analysis

• if anyone (ὃς ἄν - hos an): A conditional phrase indicating a hypothetical, but anticipated, scenario. It implies that believers will encounter such situations.
• wants to sue you (θέλει κρίνειν σε - thelei krinein se):
  • θέλει (thelei): "Wants," "desires," "intends." Suggests a determined, willing initiation of a legal process against someone.
  • κρίνειν (krinein): To judge, decide, go to law, or engage in a lawsuit. This term clearly indicates a formal legal proceeding.
• and take your tunic (καὶ τὸν χιτῶνά σου λαβεῖν - kai ton chitōna sou labein):
  • χιτῶνα (chitōna): Tunic. The inner garment, typically worn next to the skin. It was common and less valuable than the outer cloak. Demanding this suggests a civil dispute, possibly for a minor debt or grievance.
  • λαβεῖν (labein): To take, receive, seize. Implies that the result of the lawsuit would be the forfeiture or seizure of this garment.
• let him have your cloak as well (ἄφες αὐτῷ καὶ τὸ ἱμάτιον - aphes autō kai to himation):
  • ἄφες (aphes): Imperative of aphiēmi. Meaning "let him have," "allow," "forgive," "release." It's a strong command to permit or enable this action, implying a proactive act of letting go or giving, not passive resignation. It emphasizes voluntary relinquishment.
  • αὐτῷ (autō): "Him," referring to the one suing.
  • καὶ (kai): "And," "also," "as well." Highlights the addition – not just the tunic, but also the cloak.
  • ἱμάτιον (himátion): Cloak. The outer garment, more valuable, worn for warmth, protection, and often used as a blanket at night. To take both garments would leave a person almost naked and highly vulnerable, especially considering the Jewish law protected the cloak as a necessary item. This goes far beyond merely giving in; it’s an extreme act of self-dispossession.

Words-Group by Words-Group Analysis:

• "if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic": This phrase describes the initiation of a legal demand, focusing on an individual's desire to gain through legal means, specifically targeting a common and essential, yet less valuable, personal possession. It sets up a situation where one's "rights" or property are under threat through the legal system.
• "let him have your cloak as well": This is Jesus' radical counter-command. The command "let him have" suggests a voluntary, intentional act of surrender and generosity, far exceeding the original demand. The mention of the "cloak," which held legal protection and significant personal value as both clothing and shelter, highlights the extreme nature of this sacrifice. It symbolizes surrendering not just what is legally due, but even more, expressing a spirit that is unconcerned with material loss for the sake of a higher kingdom principle. This act profoundly challenges the societal norms of retaining one's possessions and demanding one's due.

Matthew 5 40 Bonus section

This verse, along with Mt 5:39, suggests that a believer's disposition should always lean towards peace and a willingness to absorb personal wrong rather than perpetuate a cycle of retaliation or assertiveness that causes further division. This teaching primarily concerns one's personal response to ill-treatment and aggression, not necessarily dictating how civil governments should operate regarding justice and law. Jesus is instructing His disciples on how to live out their personal faith and demonstrate Christ's character in everyday interactions, showcasing the profound inner transformation required of kingdom citizens. This active, generous surrender can be a prophetic act, unsettling the aggressor and bearing powerful witness to an alternative way of living founded on faith and love.

Matthew 5 40 Commentary

Matthew 5:40 is a challenging and transformative teaching from Jesus, inviting believers into a paradigm of love and non-resistance that utterly redefines justice. It is not an endorsement of injustice, nor a passive surrender to every wrong. Instead, it illustrates a kingdom principle where personal rights are intentionally suspended in favor of demonstrating divine love and trusting in God's ultimate justice. When faced with a legal dispute over something relatively minor like a tunic, the command to also surrender one's valuable cloak communicates several profound truths:

First, it highlights a radical detachment from material possessions. Jesus encourages a heart that is not bound by earthly goods, freeing believers to give even beyond what is expected or legally defensible. This detachment prevents the escalation of conflict and reflects a greater trust in God's provision than in one's own ability to secure assets.

Second, it models redemptive love. Rather than fighting back and seeking retribution (as the principle of "an eye for an eye" might imply, albeit in a judicial context for proportionality, not personal vengeance), the believer is called to a creative and generous response that may disarm the oppressor, shame them, or simply demonstrate a radically different way of life. This action serves as a witness to God's love and the principles of His kingdom.

Third, it redefines victory. In the world's terms, victory means winning a lawsuit and keeping one's possessions. In God's kingdom, victory is found in humility, self-sacrifice, and loving one's neighbor—even one who seeks to wrong you. It points to a spiritual triumph that is deeper and more lasting than any legal or material gain. This radical generosity sets believers apart as citizens of a different kingdom, living by different values, where reconciliation and grace take precedence over personal gain and vindication. It calls for a revolution of the heart, where love for the neighbor (and even the adversary) overcomes the desire for personal rights.