Matthew 5:38-41 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:38-42

In these verses the law of retaliation is expounded, and in a manner repealed. Observe, I. What the Old-Testament permission was, in case of injury; and here the expression is only, Ye have heard that is has been said; not, as before, concerning the commands of the decalogue, that it has been said by, or to, them of old time. It was a command, that every one should of necessity require such satisfaction; but they might lawfully insist upon it, if they pleased; an eye for an eye, and a tooth... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

As we have already seen, Matthew has a careful pattern in his gospel. In his story of the baptism of Jesus he shows us Jesus realizing that the hour has struck, that the call to action has come, and that Jesus must go forth on his crusade. In his story of the Temptations he shows us Jesus deliberately choosing the method he will use to carry out his task, and deliberately rejecting methods which he knew to be against the will of God. If a man sets his hand to a great task, he needs his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:38

Ye have heard that it hath been said ,.... That is, to, or by them of old time, as is expressed in some of the foregoing instances, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth , Exodus 21:24 . This is "lex talionis", the "law of retaliation"; which, whether it is to be understood literally, or not, is a matter of question. The Baithuseans, or Sadducees, among the Jews, took it in a literal sense, and so does Josephus, who says F2 Antiq. Jud. l. 4. c. 8. sect. 35. , he that shall... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:39

But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil ,.... This is not to be understood of any sort of evil, not of the evil of sin, of bad actions, and false doctrines, which are to be opposed; nor of the evil one, Satan, who is to be resisted; but of an evil man, an injurious one, who has done us an injury. We must not render evil for evil, or repay him in the same way; see James 5:6 . Not but that a man may lawfully defend himself, and endeavour to secure himself from injuries; and may appear to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:40

And if any man will sue thee at the law ,.... Or "will contend with thee", or as the Syriac renders it, דנדון עמך , "will strive", or "litigate with thee"; not contest the matter, or try the cause in an open court of judicature, a sense our version inclines to; but will wrangle and quarrel in a private way, in order to take away thy coat , by force and violence, let him have thy cloak also ; do not forbid, or hinder him from taking it; see Luke 6:29 . The "coat", is the same... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:41

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile ,.... The word αγγαρευσει , rendered "compel", is generally said to be of Persic original; the "Angari", among the Persians, were the king's messengers, or those who rode post, and were maintained at the king's expenses; and had power to take horses, and other carriages, and even men, into their service, by force, when they had occasion for them: hence the word is used to force, or compel persons to do this or the other thing; the word אנגריא ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:38

An eye for an eye - Our Lord refers here to the law of retaliation mentioned See Exodus 21:24 , (see the note there, and see Leviticus 24:20 ; (note)), which obliged the offender to suffer the same injury he had committed. The Greeks and Romans had the same law. So strictly was it attended to at Athens, that if a man put out the eye of another who had but one, the offender was condemned to lose both his eyes, as the loss of one would not be an equivalent misfortune. It seems that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:39

Resist not evil - Or, the evil person. So, I am fully persuaded, τω πονηρω ought to be translated. Our Lord's meaning is, "Do not repel one outrage by another." He that does so makes himself precisely what the other is, a wicked person. Turn to him the other also - That is, rather than avenge thyself, be ready to suffer patiently a repetition of the same injury. But these exhortations belong to those principally who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Let such leave the judgment of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:40

And if any man will sue thee at the law - Every where our blessed Lord shows the utmost disapprobation of such litigations as tended to destroy brotherly kindness and charity. It is evident he would have his followers to suffer rather the loss of all their property than to have recourse to such modes of redress, at so great a risk. Having the mind averse from contentions, and preferring peace and concord to temporal advantages, is most solemnly recommended to all Christians. We are great... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:41

Shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. - αγγαρευσει . This word is said to be derived from the Persians, among whom the king's messengers, or posts, were called Αγγαποι , or angari . This definition is given both by Hesychius and Suidas. The Persian messengers had the royal authority for pressing horses, ships, and even men, to assist them in the business on which they were employed. These angari are now termed chappars , and serve to carry despatches between the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Matthew 5:38-42

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Matthew 5:1-48

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:38

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:39

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:40

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:41

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:38

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:39

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:40

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 5:41

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