Matthew 5:42

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Complete Jewish Bible:

When someone asks you for something, give it to him; when someone wants to borrow something from you, lend it to him.

Berean Standard Bible:

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

American Standard Version:

Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Give^{G1325} to him that asketh^{G154} thee^{G4571}, and^{G2532} from him that would^{G2309} borrow^{G1155} of^{G575} thee^{G4675} turn^{G654} not^{G3361} thou away^{G654}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Matthew 5:42

Matthew 5:42 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a compilation of Jesus' teachings found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapters 5-7. This verse encapsulates the radical ethic of generosity and love that Jesus promulgated during his ministry. The historical context of this teaching is set within the Roman Empire, where social and economic disparities were significant, and the poor were often exploited and marginalized.

In this verse, Jesus instructs his followers to give to anyone who asks and not to refuse to lend to those who wish to borrow. This command goes beyond the conventional wisdom of the time, which often included cautious lending and borrowing practices to protect one's own interests. Jesus' teaching here reflects the broader themes of the Sermon on the Mount, which include the beatitudes (blessings for the humble and those who suffer for righteousness' sake), a call to be salt and light in the world, and a reinterpretation of the Law that emphasizes internal attitudes as much as external actions.

The themes of generosity and selflessness in Matthew 5:42 challenge the listener to trust in God's provision and to prioritize the needs of others over personal gain or security. This teaching is consistent with other New Testament passages that emphasize the importance of sharing with those in need and living out a faith that is active in demonstrating love and compassion. It also prefigures the early Christian community's practices, as described in the Book of Acts, where believers held possessions in common and provided for one another as needed.

In summary, Matthew 5:42 is a call to live out an ethic of radical generosity, reflecting the love and mercy of God. It challenges individuals to act selflessly, to give without expecting anything in return, and to trust in God's economy, where generosity begets blessings both for the giver and the receiver. This verse continues to inspire Christians to practice hospitality and to care for the poor and vulnerable, seeing in them the very presence of Christ.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1325
   There are 377 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δίδωμι
   Transliteration: dídōmi
   Pronunciation: did'-o-mee
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary verb (which is used as an alternative in most of the tenses); to give (used in a very wide application, properly, or by implication, literally or figuratively; greatly modified by the connection):--adventure, bestow, bring forth, commit, deliver (up), give, grant, hinder, make, minister, number, offer, have power, put, receive, set, shew, smite (+ with the hand), strike (+ with the palm of the hand), suffer, take, utter, yield.
   
2. Strong's Number: G154
   There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αἰτέω
   Transliteration: aitéō
   Pronunciation: ahee-teh'-o
   Description: of uncertain derivation; to ask (in genitive case):--ask, beg, call for, crave, desire, require. Compare πυνθάνομαι.
   
3. Strong's Number: G4571
   There are 179 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σέ
   Transliteration: sé
   Pronunciation: seh
   Description: accusative case singular of σύ; thee:--thee, thou, X thy house.
   
4. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2309
   There are 201 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: θέλω
   Transliteration: thélō
   Pronunciation: eth-el-eh'-o
   Description: apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέομαι; to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas βούλομαι properly denotes rather a passive acquiescence in objective considerations), i.e. choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication, to wish, i.e. be inclined to (sometimes adverbially, gladly); impersonally for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebraism, to delight in:--desire, be disposed (forward), intend, list, love, mean, please, have rather, (be) will (have, -ling, - ling(-ly)).
   
6. Strong's Number: G1155
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δανείζω
   Transliteration: daneízō
   Pronunciation: dan-ide'-zo
   Description: from δάνειον; to loan on interest; reflexively, to borrow:--borrow, lend.
   
7. Strong's Number: G575
   There are 1465 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀπό
   Transliteration: apó
   Pronunciation: apo'
   Description: a primary particle; "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative):--(X here-)after, ago, at, because of, before, by (the space of), for(-th), from, in, (out) of, off, (up-)on(-ce), since, with. In composition (as a prefix) it usually denotes separation, departure, cessation, completion, reversal, etc.
   
8. Strong's Number: G4675
   There are 360 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: σοῦ
   Transliteration: soû
   Pronunciation: soo
   Description: genitive case of σύ; of thee, thy:--X home, thee, thine (own), thou, thy.
   
9. Strong's Number: G654
   There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀποστρέφω
   Transliteration: apostréphō
   Pronunciation: ap-os-tref'-o
   Description: from ἀπό and στρέφω; to turn away or back (literally or figuratively):--bring again, pervert, turn away (from).
   
10. Strong's Number: G3361
    There are 602 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μή
    Transliteration: mḗ
    Pronunciation: may
    Description: a primary particle of qualified negation (whereas οὐ expresses an absolute denial); (adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas οὐ expects an affirmative one)) whether:--any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without. Often used in compounds in substantially the same relations. See also ἐὰν μή, ἵνα μή, οὐ μή, μῆκος, μηκύνω, μήν, μὴ οὐκ.