What does Matthew 5:40 mean?

Matthew 5:40 KJV
And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke 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 MKJV
And to him desiring to sue you, and to take away your tunic, let him have [your] coat also.

Matthew 5:40 KJV 2000
And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.

Interlinear KJV

And /kai/ if any man will /thelo/ sue /krino/ thee /soi/ at the law, /krino/ and /kai/ take away /lambano/ thy /sou/ coat, /chiton/ let /aphiemi/ him /autos/ have /aphiemi/ thy cloke /himation/ also. /kai/

Albert Barnes’ Commentary

Verse 40. No Barnes text on this verse. See Barnes for Mt 5:38

Ripley 4 Gospels

Coat. Cloak. These words designate the two principal garments worn among the Jews. The one first named was the under, or inside garment; the other corresponded to our cloak, in being an outside garment. But it was more properly a mantle, nearly square, five or six cubits long, and as many feet broad, intended to be wrapped around the body, or worn over the shoulders. This garment was sometimes employed by the poor as a covering in sleep during the night. Hence Moses enacted that this garment, if given as a pledge, should not be retained over night. Ex 22:26-27; De 24:13. In conformity, probably, the such a practice, Jesus spoke of the under garment being taken away from a person. The idea of the Saviour in this verse is, If a person seeks to draw thee into controversy, and to take one of thy garments, indulge not a spirit of revenge; instead of retaliating, give up to him thy mantle also, and submit to any inconvenience.

Family Bible Notes

Coat–cloak; the coat among the Jews was an inner garment, called a tunic, extending from the neck to the knee. Over this was a cloak or mantle, which was a large, loose garment, and when they travelled was girt tight round the body with a girdle Hence, “to gird up one’s loins” implied readiness for labor or a journey. The girdle or sash answered also the purpose of purse for money. Let him have thy cloak; suffer losses, so far as duty will permit, rather than contend about them.

People’s New Testament

If any man would sue. That is, is about to sue thee.

Take thy coat. The inner garment, the tunic or shirt.

Cloak. The outer garment, the covering at night. It could not be held by a creditor (Ex 22:26-27). Better to give it up, too, than to engage in litigation. Many a poor soul has realized this when it was too late, and the lawyers had divided his property. Avoid lawsuits.