Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Matthew 5:42. Give to him that asketh of thee. Though the words of Christ, which are related by Matthew, appear to command us to give to all without discrimination, yet we gather a different meaning from Luke, who explains the whole matter more fully.
The magistrate may lawfully exact this penalty; but the Old Testament never commanded private revenge as necessary. Jewish teachers corrupted it into a demand for retaliation by common men. Christ sweeps away that abuse entirely and calls His followers to something higher: forgiveness and patience even under fresh injury.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:38-42
Give to him that asketh thee,.... To every man, Luk 6:30 whether Jew or Gentile; friend or foe; believer or unbeliever; a good, or a bad man; worthy or unworthy; deserving or not, that asketh alms, whether food or money; give it freely, readily, cheerfully, according to your abilities, and as the necessity of the object requires: for such rules are always supposed, and to...