Matthew 5:40
What does Matthew 5:40 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:40 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:40 means
Continuing His teaching on non-retaliation, Jesus provides another practical illustration concerning legal disputes. If someone wishes to sue you to take your "coat" (the outer garment, often used as collateral), Jesus instructs to offer your "cloak also" (the inner garment). This exaggerated example emphasizes a radical generosity and willingness to suffer loss rather than asserting one's rights or engaging in contentious legal battles. It reflects a heart free from material attachment and committed to peace.
Matthew 5:40 in context
Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes
Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.
- Kingdom ethics
- Inner righteousness
- True blessedness
- Light and salt
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And if any man goes to law with you and takes away your coat, do not keep back your robe from him.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and whoever is willing to take thee to law, and thy coat to take--suffer to him also the cloak.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And if a man will contend with thee in judgment, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and to him that would go to law with thee and take thy body coat, leave him thy cloak also.
Context
This verse builds upon the command to not resist evil (verse 39) by providing a second, practical illustration concerning legal disputes. It further emphasizes radical generosity and the willingness to suffer loss rather than engage in conflict, leading to yet another example of going beyond expectation in the next verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 6:29
To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also.
- 1 Corinthians 6:7
Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you, that ye have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:40
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:40 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:40 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:40 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:40 teaches us about light and salt
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