Matthew 5:40 Meaning Explained

Matthew 5:40

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

English Standard Version (ESV)

This verse isn't just about losing possessions; it highlights how the "coat" (inner garment) and "cloak" (outer robe) represent progressively deeper layers of our defense and even our very selves. Jesus is pushing us beyond simply accepting a smaller loss to willingly giving up more than is demanded, transforming legal disputes into opportunities for radical surrender.

What Matthew 5:40 means

Jesus is building on His teaching about responding to enemies by now addressing conflict in legal disputes. He moves from physical violence to civil disputes, urging a radical willingness to surrender possessions rather than fight for them in court. This continues the theme of turning the other cheek by extending it to unjust legal claims, encouraging followers to give up even more than what is demanded.

Beyond Eye-for-Eye Justice

Jesus wasn't just tweaking an old rule; he was presenting a whole new way of relating to others. What did 'eye for an eye' really mean, and how does Jesus flip it?

The ancient principle of 'an eye for an eye' was actually meant to limit revenge, ensuring punishment fit the crime. It was a legal standard for justice, not a call for personal vengeance.

But Jesus goes further. He challenges the very idea of retaliation. Instead of 'paying back' an offense, he calls for a radical generosity that disarms conflict. When someone takes your inner garment (your tunic), Jesus says, don't just let them have it – be willing to give them your outer garment (your cloak) too. This isn't about being a doormat; it's about actively choosing not to engage in the cycle of retaliation, even when it costs you dearly.

The Value of Your Inner and Outer Garments

Jesus uses specific clothing items to illustrate a profound spiritual principle. What's the significance of the tunic and the cloak?

In Jesus' day, clothing had layers of meaning. The tunic (χιτών - chiton) was the basic undergarment, like a long shirt. The cloak (ἱμάτιον - himation) was the outer garment, a mantle that offered protection and warmth, and was often more valuable.

When Jesus mentions the tunic and cloak, he's talking about more than just fabric. He's speaking about your possessions, your rights, and even your dignity. To give up your cloak after your tunic has been taken implies a willingness to surrender what is more valuable, what provides greater comfort and protection. This extreme generosity isn't about literal nakedness but about demonstrating a heart so free from clinging to possessions and rights that it can readily let go, even when it means greater loss.

Understand the original words

Original language

sueκρίνω

krinō · Greek Verb (Passive in context)

To go to law, bring a legal action, or seek a judicial decision. It involves the process of reaching a verdict or settling a dispute through an authority figure.

tunicχιτών

chitōn · Greek Noun

An inner garment worn next to the skin, similar to a shirt or tunic. It was a basic component of daily attire in the ancient Near East.

cloakἱμάτιον

himation · Greek Noun

The outer garment or robe, which served as protection from the elements and a blanket at night. Mosaic law protected the cloak as an essential possession that could not be kept as a pledge overnight.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 70 and 100 AD, with some scholars placing it earlier.
Author: Traditionally understood as Matthew the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. However, scholarly debate exists regarding the Gospel's authorship, with some suggesting it was written by a later follower of Matthew.
Location: Written from a Jewish context, likely in Galilee or Judea, reflecting the setting of Jesus' ministry.
Genre: Gospel, a genre that blends narrative, teachings, and theological reflection. It features unique literary devices like parables and extensive quotation of the Old Testament.

Historical background

Jesus' teaching here radically counters the common understanding of justice, which was often based on retaliatory principles found even in the Old Testament law and amplified by human interpretation. The context of Roman occupation and potential for unjust legal claims would have made this command to 'give up more' particularly challenging and counter-cultural.

c. 1446 BC
Exodus Law Given
The Mosaic Law, including regulations about pledges like the cloak (Exodus 22:26-27), is given to Israel at Mount Sinai. This forms the legal and social backdrop for understanding concepts of justice and possession.
c. 722 BC
Northern Kingdom Exiled
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to mass deportations. This event created a sense of vulnerability and disrupted social order for many.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling many Judeans. This catastrophic event deeply impacted Jewish identity and their understanding of God's justice and protection.
c. 63 BC
Roman Rule Established
Rome conquers Judea, bringing a new legal and political system. Roman law and its enforcement, sometimes perceived as oppressive, became part of everyday life.

Key themes

01Radical non-retaliation
02Yielding beyond expectation
03Submitting to loss
04Love triumphs over justice

Cross-references

1 Corinthians 6:7

This passage directly echoes Jesus' teaching by asking, 'Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?' This reinforces the principle of enduring loss rather than pursuing legal battles, aligning with Matthew 5:40's call to surrender more than is demanded.

Romans 12:17-19

Paul urges believers to 'repay no one evil for evil' and to live peaceably with all, as far as it depends on them. This passage provides the underlying motivation for Matthew 5:40, encouraging a proactive approach to peace even when wronged.

Luke 6:29

This is the parallel account of the same teaching from Jesus, stating 'If someone slaps you on one cheek, let them slap the other too, and if someone takes your coat, don't stop them from taking your tunic as well.' The slight inversion of garments highlights the consistent message of radical non-resistance to those who would wrong you.

Exodus 22:26-27

This Old Testament law states that if a garment taken as security is kept overnight, it must be returned before sunset. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:40 goes beyond this by implying that even if someone legally takes your basic garment, you should let them take the more valuable outer cloak as well, demonstrating a far more radical surrender.

Scholarly commentary

Matthew 5:40: "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also."

Coat, cloke (χιτῶνα, ἱμάτιον)The former, the shirt-like under-garment or tunic; the latter, the mantle, or ampler over-garment, which served as a covering for the night, and therefore was forbidden by the Levitical law to be retained in pledge overnight (Exodus 22:26, Exodus 22:27). To yield up this without resistance therefore implies a higher degree of concession.
vincent

Matthew 5:38-41: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:"

You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39. But I say to you, Do not resist evil: but whoever, shall inflict a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also: 40. And to him who wishes to enter into a law-suit with thee, and to take away thy coat, allow him thy cloak also: 41. And whoever shall constrain thee to one mile, go with him two.

To him…

calvin

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What Matthew 5:40 means

Original language

sueκρίνω

krinō · Greek Verb (Passive in context)

To go to law, bring a legal action, or seek a judicial decision. It involves the process of reaching a verdict or settling a dispute through an authority figure.

tunicχιτών

chitōn · Greek Noun

An inner garment worn next to the skin, similar to a shirt or tunic. It was a basic component of daily attire in the ancient Near East.

cloakἱμάτιον

himation · Greek Noun

The outer garment or robe, which served as protection from the elements and a blanket at night. Mosaic law protected the cloak as an essential possession that could not be kept as a pledge overnight.

Historical context

Written: Likely between 70 and 100 AD, with some scholars placing it earlier.
Author: Traditionally understood as Matthew the Apostle, one of Jesus' twelve disciples. However, scholarly debate exists regarding the Gospel's authorship, with some suggesting it was written by a later follower of Matthew.
Location: Written from a Jewish context, likely in Galilee or Judea, reflecting the setting of Jesus' ministry.
Genre: Gospel, a genre that blends narrative, teachings, and theological reflection. It features unique literary devices like parables and extensive quotation of the Old Testament.

Historical background

c. 1446 BC

Exodus Law Given

The Mosaic Law, including regulations about pledges like the cloak (Exodus 22:26-27), is given to Israel at Mount Sinai. This forms the legal and social backdrop for understanding concepts of justice and possession.

c. 722 BC

Northern Kingdom Exiled

The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to mass deportations. This event created a sense of vulnerability and disrupted social order for many.

586 BC

Fall of Jerusalem

The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, exiling many Judeans. This catastrophic event deeply impacted Jewish identity and their understanding of God's justice and protection.

c. 63 BC

Roman Rule Established

Rome conquers Judea, bringing a new legal and political system. Roman law and its enforcement, sometimes perceived as oppressive, became part of everyday life.