Meaning of Matthew 5:39

This verse, a direct teaching from Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, is not an endorsement of passive resignation to injustice or a call to be a doormat. Instead, it's a radical redefinition of how to respond to aggression, challenging the ingrained human instinct for retributive justice. Jesus is not forbidding self-defense in all circumstances, but rather advocating for a specific, counter-cultural approach to personal affronts. The "evil person" here refers to someone acting unjustly or maliciously, and the "slap" signifies a deliberate act of insult and humiliation. By turning the other cheek, the victim is not inviting further assault but rather disarming the aggressor, refusing to escalate the conflict, and exposing the absurdity and sinfulness of the attacker's actions. This is a strategic, not a passive, response, aiming to break the cycle of violence and demonstrate a higher moral authority.

Context and Background

Jesus delivers these teachings from a mountain, mirroring Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai, indicating the profound and authoritative nature of his words. The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) is a foundational discourse on the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven, which often contrasts with the prevailing legalistic interpretations of the Old Testament Law. The Mosaic Law provided provisions for justice and retribution (e.g., "an eye for an eye"), intended to limit vengeance and ensure proportionality. Jesus, however, is not abrogating the Law but fulfilling its spirit by revealing God's ultimate will for human interaction, which prioritizes love, mercy, and non-retaliation over strict legalistic justice in personal matters. The cultural context of a slap on the right cheek was particularly humiliating, as it likely implied a backhanded blow from a social inferior, meant to demean rather than inflict serious physical harm.

Key Themes and Messages

The central themes are non-retaliation, love for enemies, and radical forgiveness. Jesus is advocating for a response that transcends the immediate impulse for revenge. This teaching emphasizes the power of restraint and the potential for transforming conflict through a demonstration of grace. It challenges the notion that one's dignity is preserved through aggressive defense, suggesting instead that true dignity lies in adhering to a higher moral standard. The message is about breaking the cycle of violence and responding to evil with good, thereby exposing the inherent wrongness of the aggressor's actions.

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse calls believers to emulate the character of God, who is "patient, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness" (Exodus 34:6). It is a practical application of the principle of loving your neighbor as yourself, extending this love even to those who wrong you. Applying this teaching requires immense self-control, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a deep understanding of God's redemptive purposes. It is a call to spiritual maturity, where the desire for personal vindication is surrendered to a larger vision of reconciliation and peace.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This teaching is a cornerstone of Jesus' ethical revolution, which consistently elevates love and mercy above rigid adherence to worldly systems of justice. It aligns with the prophetic call for justice and righteousness, but reinterprets these concepts through the lens of God's grace and the coming Kingdom. The Old Testament, while containing laws of retribution, also contains numerous examples of God's patience and mercy, and the Psalms often express a desire for God's intervention rather than personal vengeance. The New Testament, through the example of Jesus himself, particularly his suffering and crucifixion, exemplifies this principle of non-retaliation and sacrificial love.

Analogies

• A skilled negotiator: Instead of meeting an insult with a counter-insult, which escalates the situation, turning the other cheek is like a negotiator refusing to be drawn into a heated argument, instead seeking to de-escalate and find a peaceful resolution.
• A shield against arrows: The aggressor shoots an arrow of insult. Instead of shooting another arrow back, the believer offers a shield, absorbing the impact without retaliation, thus preventing further harm and potentially disarming the attacker.
• A mirror: The insult is like a dirty mirror. Instead of smashing the mirror, the believer presents a clean one, reflecting the ugliness of the insult back onto the aggressor without becoming soiled themselves.

Relation to Other Verses

This teaching is intimately connected with other sayings of Jesus:

• Matthew 5:44: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This verse directly expands on the principle of non-retaliation, extending it to a proactive posture of love and intercession.
• Matthew 5:38: "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'" This verse provides the immediate context, showing Jesus' reinterpretation of Old Testament law.
• Romans 12:17-21: Paul echoes Jesus' teaching, stating, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil... If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink... Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
• 1 Peter 2:20-23: Peter, reflecting on Christ's example, writes, "But if you suffer for doing good and endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps. 'He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth.' When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly."