Bible Strands
Matthew 5:42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus addresses his disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, closing the non-retaliation block (5:38–42) just before turning to the love-your-enemy command.
The words — αἰτοῦντι (aitounti, "asking") and θελόντα (thelonta, "desiring") distinguish a direct request from a broader want, yet the command "δός" (dos, "give") applies to both without qualification.
The thread — Luke 6:30 parallels the command and adds the clause about not demanding back what is taken; Proverbs 19:17 reframes lending to the poor as a loan to the LORD.
Why it lands — The verse removes the reader's right to vet the asker's character or need before acting; the only variable is the asker's presence, not their merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:17 Kindness to the poor is a loan to the LORD, and He will repay the lender.
- Hebrews 13:16 And do not neglect to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
- Luke 6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.
- Psalms 112:5 It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.
- 1 Timothy 6:17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be conceited and not to put their hope in the uncertainty of wealth, but in God, who richly provides all things for us to enjoy.
- Psalms 37:21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving.
- 1 John 3:16 By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
- Deuteronomy 15:7 If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, then you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand from your poor brother.
- Romans 12:20 On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.