Cloak and Coat
Luke 6:27-30
But I say to you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,…


The Jews of the first century always wore the tunic and mantle or robe. These were the two indispensable garments. The tunic was of linen. It fitted the figure, had sleeves and came down to the feet. It was worn next to the skin, or over an under-garment of linen very full and long. That of the rabbi, scribe, or doctor, was specially large, and yet was not to be visible more than a handbreadth under the mantle. The mantle or robe was worn over all. A man must be very poor to have only one cloak, and yet this is what Christ enjoined on His disciples. According to Luke's Gospel He said one day, "If any man will take away thy cloak, forbid him not take thy coat also." This precept can be understood; a robber would naturally lay hold first of the outer garment. But Matthew puts it the other way. Under this form it is harder to understand, and we may well suppose that in transcribing [Matthew's version] the copyist may have misplaced the two words coat and cloak.

(E. Stapfer, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

WEB: "But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,




Bible Precepts to be Spiritually Interpreted
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