And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.

LUKE 6:29KJV
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Luke 6:29 (KJV)

What does Luke 6:29 mean?

In Luke 6:29, Jesus tells his hearers to respond to personal mistreatment without striking back or resisting the loss of clothing. His examples portray a readiness to accept further loss rather than answer harm with harm.

A blow to the cheek brings the encounter close and personal. The taking of a cloak pictures the loss of a valuable outer garment; offering the coat as well extends the image to the clothing worn underneath. Jesus gives these examples after telling his hearers to bless those who curse them.

The Greek behind Luke 6:29

  • “cloke” — ἱμάτιον (himation): This word refers to an outer garment or cloak. Such a garment could serve as a covering against the cold as well as clothing.
  • “coat” — χιτών (chitōn): This word refers to a tunic worn next to the body, underneath an outer garment. The order of the garments makes the loss in Jesus’ example especially striking.

Why Luke 6:29 matters

  • Jesus addresses people who have already been wronged. Both examples begin with another person’s action: someone strikes a cheek or takes a cloak.
  • The verse belongs to a passage about treatment of enemies, not merely friends. Jesus addresses “your enemies” in verse 27, and verse 29 gives concrete examples of his instruction.
  • Jesus’ examples focus on the response of the person who has been struck or robbed. The commands “offer” and “forbid not” address that person directly.

Where else these words appear

“cheek” Greek G4600 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

“coat” Greek G5509 · used in 10 verses

  • Matthew 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
  • Mark 14:63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
  • John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

“smiteth” Greek G5180 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 24:49 And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken;
  • Luke 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
  • Acts 21:32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

“offer” Greek G3930 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 26:10 When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me.
  • Acts 16:16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying:
  • Galatians 6:17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.