The Meaning of Luke 6:29 Explained

Luke 6:29

KJV: 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.

YLT: and to him smiting thee upon the cheek, give also the other, and from him taking away from thee the mantle, also the coat thou mayest not keep back.

Darby: To him that smites thee on the cheek, offer also the other; and from him that would take away thy garment, forbid not thy body-coat also.

ASV: To him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and from him that taketh away thy cloak withhold not thy coat also.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Luke 6:29 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 6:27-38 - How To Treat Our Fellow-Men
Luke's version of the Sermon on the Mount differs from that of Matthew, only as each views the great discourse from his own standpoint. By one it is viewed as the manifesto of the King; by the other, as the proclamation of "the Man Christ Jesus" to man.
Notice the secret of blessedness! Here is the draught-sketch of a life of abounding blessing, overflowing with mercy and lovingkindness. With what measure we mete out our love to men, they will measure back their love to us, using our own measures for the purpose.
Each of these Beatitudes is a gateway into blessedness. It is not that blessedness is the reward of virtue, but it is the necessary and invariable result. Only we must be good, because it is right and God-pleasing to be so, and the blessedness will be as natural as the bloom on the peach. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 6

1  Jesus reproves the Pharisees;
12  chooses apostles;
17  heals the diseased;
20  preaches to his disciples before the people: the beattitudes;
27  Love your Enemy
37  Do not Judge
43  A Tree and Its Fruit
46  The House on the Rock

Greek Commentary for Luke 6:29

On the cheek [επι την σιαγονα]
Matthew 5:39 has “right.” Old word meaning jaw or jawbone, but in the N.T. only here and Matthew 5:39, which see note for discussion. It seems an act of violence rather than contempt. Sticklers for extreme literalism find trouble with the conduct of Jesus in John 18:22. where Jesus, on receiving a slap in the face, protested against it. [source]
Thy cloke [το ιματιον]
Here the upper and more valuable garment Aorist subjunctive in prohibition against committing an act. Do not hinder him in his robbing. It is usually useless anyhow with modern armed bandits. [source]
thy coat [τον χιτωνα]
Here the upper and more valuable garment Aorist subjunctive in prohibition against committing an act. Do not hinder him in his robbing. It is usually useless anyhow with modern armed bandits. [source]
Withhold not [μη κωλυσηις]
Aorist subjunctive in prohibition against committing an act. Do not hinder him in his robbing. It is usually useless anyhow with modern armed bandits. [source]
Cheek [σιαγόνα]
Lit., the jaw. The cheek is παρειά . The blow intended is not, therefore, a mere slap, but a heavy blow; an act of violence rather than of contempt. [source]
Taketh away [αἴροντος]
Lit., taketh up, lifteth. [source]
Cloke - coat []
See on Matthew 5:40. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 6:29

Acts 23:2 Them that stood by him [τοις παρεστωσιν αυτωι]
Dative case of second perfect participle of παριστημι — paristēmi to place, and intransitive. See the same form in Acts 23:4 To smite him on the mouth (τυπτειν αυτου το στομα — tuptein autou to stoma). See Luke 12:45 and Luke 18:13. Cf. the treatment of Jesus (John 18:22). Ananias was provoked by Paul‘s self-assertion while on trial before his judges. “The act was illegal and peculiarly offensive to a Jew at the hands of a Jew” (Knowling). More self-control might have served Paul better. Smiting the mouth or cheek is a peculiarly irritating offence and one not uncommon among the Jews and this fact gives point to the command of Jesus to turn the other check (Luke 6:29 where τυπτω — tuptō is also used). [source]
Acts 23:2 To smite him on the mouth [τυπτειν αυτου το στομα]
See Luke 12:45 and Luke 18:13. Cf. the treatment of Jesus (John 18:22). Ananias was provoked by Paul‘s self-assertion while on trial before his judges. “The act was illegal and peculiarly offensive to a Jew at the hands of a Jew” (Knowling). More self-control might have served Paul better. Smiting the mouth or cheek is a peculiarly irritating offence and one not uncommon among the Jews and this fact gives point to the command of Jesus to turn the other check (Luke 6:29 where τυπτω — tuptō is also used). [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 6:29 mean?

To the [one] striking you on the cheek offer also other and from the [one] taking away your - cloak the tunic not do withhold
τῷ τύπτοντί σε ἐπὶ τὴν σιαγόνα πάρεχε καὶ ἄλλην καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ αἴροντός σου τὸ ἱμάτιον τὸν χιτῶνα μὴ κωλύσῃς

τῷ  To  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
τύπτοντί  striking 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Dative Masculine Singular
Root: τύπτω  
Sense: to strike, beat, smite.
σιαγόνα  cheek 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σιαγών  
Sense: the jaw, the jaw bone.
πάρεχε  offer 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: παρέχω  
Sense: to reach forth, offer.
καὶ  also 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: καί  
Sense: and, also, even, indeed, but.
ἄλλην  other 
Parse: Adjective, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
τοῦ  the  [one] 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
αἴροντός  taking  away 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: αἴρω  
Sense: to raise up, elevate, lift up.
σου  your 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 2nd Person Singular
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
τὸ  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
ἱμάτιον  cloak 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Neuter Singular
Root: ἱμάτιον  
Sense: a garment (of any sort).
χιτῶνα  tunic 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: χιτών  
Sense: a tunic, an undergarment, usually worn next to the skin, a garment, a vestment.
κωλύσῃς  do  withhold 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Active, 2nd Person Singular
Root: κωλύω  
Sense: to hinder, prevent forbid.