Matthew Chapter 5 verse 40 Holy Bible
And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
read chapter 5 in ASV
And if any man goes to law with you and takes away your coat, do not keep back your robe from him.
read chapter 5 in BBE
and to him that would go to law with thee and take thy body coat, leave him thy cloak also.
read chapter 5 in DARBY
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
read chapter 5 in KJV
read chapter 5 in WBT
If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
read chapter 5 in WEB
and whoever is willing to take thee to law, and thy coat to take -- suffer to him also the cloak.
read chapter 5 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 40. - The parallel passage, Luke 6:29b, gives the taking of the garments in the converse order. And if any man will sue thee; Revised Version, and if any man would go to law with thee. Notice that "will," "would" (τῷ θέλοντι), implies that the trial has not yet even begun. Do this even before it. And take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. Coat (χιτών), equivalent to tunic, "shirt-like under-garment" (Meyer). Cloke (ἱμάτιον), 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 (Exodus 22:26)' (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. Let him have (ἄφες αὐτῷ). More positive than Luke's "withhold not" (μὴ κωλύσῃς).
Ellicott's Commentary
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(40) If any man will sue thee at the law.--The Greek is somewhat stronger: If a man will go--i.e., is bent on going--to law with thee. 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?" (1Corinthians 6:7). Here also, of course, the precept, absolutely binding, as far as self-interest is concerned, may be traversed by higher considerations.Coat.--The close-fitting tunic worn next the body.Cloke.--The outer flowing mantle, the more costly garment of the two. (Comp. John 19:23, and the combination of the two words, in Acts 9:39, "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.
