Luke 3:11 · Clearspring

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Other translations

WEBBE

He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”

BSB

John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

KJV

He answereth and saith unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath meat, let him do likewise.

ASV

And he answered and said unto them, He that hath two coats, let him impart to him that hath none; and he that hath food, let him do likewise.

BBE

And he made answer and said to them, He who has two coats, let him give to him who has not even one; and he who has food, let him do the same.

Original Greek

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ἀποκριθεὶς apokritheis Answering G611 δὲ de now G1161 ἔλεγεν elegen he was saying G3004 αὐτοῖς autois to them G846 ὁ ho The [one] G3588 ἔχων echōn having G2192 δύο duo two G1417 χιτῶνας chitōnas tunics G5509 μεταδότω metadotō he should impart G3330 τῷ tō to the [one] G3588 μὴ mē none G3361 ἔχοντι echonti having G2192 καὶ kai and G2532 ὁ ho the [one] G3588 ἔχων echōn having G2192 βρώματα brōmata food G1033 ὁμοίως homoiōs likewise G3668 ποιείτω.¶ poieitō he should do G4160

The early church

All 7

But we are hereby taught, that every thing we have over and above what is necessary to our daily support, we are bound to give to him who hath nothing for God's sake, who hath given us liberally whatever we possess.

Basil of Caesarea · d. 379Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

For other commands of duty have reference only to individuals, mercy has a common application. It is therefore a common commandment to all, to contribute to him that has not. Mercy is the fulness of virtues, yet in mercy itself a proportion is observed to meet the capacities of man's condition, in that each individual is not to deprive himself of all, but what he has to share it with the poor.

Ambrose of Milan · d. 397Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(ubi sup.) Because a coat is more necessary for our use than a cloak, it belongs to the bringing forth of fruits worthy of repentance, that we should divide with our neighbours not only our superfluities but those which are absolutely necessary to us, as our coat, or the meat with which we support our bodies; and hence it follows, And he who has meat, let him do likewise.

Gregory the Dialogist · d. 604Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

(ubi sup.) For because it was written in the law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, he is proved to love his neighbour less than himself, who does not share with him in his distress, those things which are even necessary to himself. Therefore that precept is given of dividing with one's neighbour the two coats, since if one is divided no one is clothed. But we must remark in this, of how much value are works of mercy, since of the works worthy of repentance these are enjoined before all others.

Gregory the Dialogist · d. 604Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

But some one has observed that the two coats are the spirit and letter of Scripture, but John advises him that hath these two to instruct the ignorant, and give him at least the letter.

Theophylact of Ohrid · d. 1107Catena Aurea (Aquinas, 1274)

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–14

The scope and design of John's ministry were, to bring the people from their sins, and to their Saviour. He came preaching, not a sect, or party, but a profession; the sign or ceremony was washing with water. By the words here used John preached the necessity of repentance, in order to the remission of sins, and that the baptism of water was an outward sign of that inward cleansing and renewal of heart, which attend, or are the effects of true repentance, as well as a profession of it. Here is the fulfilling of the Scriptures, Is 40:3, in the ministry of John. When way is made for the gospel into the heart, by taking down high thoughts, and bringing them into obedience to Christ, by levelling the soul, and removing all that hinders us in the way of Christ and his grace, then preparation is made to welcome the salvation of God. Here are general warnings and exhortations which John gave. The guilty, corrupted race of mankind is become a generation of vipers; hateful to God, and hating one another. There is no way of fleeing from the wrath to come, but by repentance; and by the change of our way the change of our mind must be shown. If we are not really holy, both in heart and life, our profession of religion and relation to God and his church, will stand us in no stead at all; the sorer will our destruction be, if we do not bring forth fruits meet for repentance. John the Baptist gave instructions to several sorts of persons. Those that profess and promise repentance, must show it by reformation, according to their places and conditions. The gospel requires mercy, not sacrifice; and its design is, to engage us to do all the good we can, and to be just to all men. And the same principle which leads men to forego unjust gain, leads to restore that which is gained by wrong. John tells the soldiers their duty. Men should be cautioned against the temptations of their employments. These answers declared the present duty of the inquirers, and at once formed a test of their sincerity. As none can or will accept Christ's salvation without true repentance, so the evidence and effects of this repentance are here marked out.

Read Matthew Henry on Luke 3 →

Cross-references

18

Topics

Poor Liberality Beneficence