¹ sn The phrase strikes you on the cheek probably pictures public rejection, like the act that indicated expulsion from the synagogue.

² sn This command to offer the other cheek as well is often misunderstood. It means that there is risk involved in reaching out to people with God’s hope. But if one is struck down in rejection, the disciple is to continue reaching out.

³ tn Or “cloak.”

⁴ tn See the note on the word “tunics” in 3:11.

⁵ sn The command do not withhold your tunic either is again an image of continually being totally at risk as one tries to keep contact with those who are hostile to what Jesus and his disciples offer.

⁶ tn Grk “the”; the Greek article has been translated here and in the following clause (“out of the evil”) as a possessive pronoun (ExSyn 215).

⁷ sn Mention of the heart shows that Jesus is not interested in what is done, but why. Motives are more important than actions for him.

⁸ tn The word “treasury” is not repeated in the Greek text at this point, but is implied.

⁹ sn What one utters from one’s mouth is especially singled out as the example of this principle. James seems to have known this teaching (Jas 1:26; 3:1-12).

¹⁰ tn Grk “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”