In Matthew 5:38–42, Jesus challenges His followers to respond to personal offenses with grace, forgiveness, and generosity. He contrasts the Old Testament principle of “an eye for an eye” with a radically different approach: refusing retaliation and demonstrating love even in the face of injustice. This teaching lies at the heart of kingdom living, calling believers to reflect God’s character in their interactions with others. This essay will explore the historical context of Jesus’ words, unpack the meaning of His commands, and examine their practical application for Christians today.
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The Old Testament Principle: “An Eye for an Eye”
1. The Purpose of Lex Talionis
Jesus begins by referencing the Old Testament law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’” (Matthew 5:38). This principle, known as lex talionis (the law of retaliation), is found in several passages, including Exodus 21:23–25, Leviticus 24:19–20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. It was designed to ensure that punishment matched the offense, preventing excessive retribution and maintaining justice.
For example, if one person caused physical harm to another, the punishment was to be proportional, neither too lenient nor overly severe. This principle upheld justice and protected society from escalating cycles of vengeance.
2. The Misuse of Retaliation
By the time of Jesus, however, lex talionis had been misapplied. What was originally intended to guide judicial proceedings had been taken as a license for personal revenge. Instead of leaving justice in the hands of the authorities, individuals used this principle to justify retaliatory behavior, often driven by anger and pride. Jesus addresses this distortion by calling His followers to a higher standard of conduct.
Jesus’ Teaching: A Radical Response
1. “But I Tell You…”
Jesus contrasts the principle of retaliation with His command to turn the other cheek: “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also” (Matthew 5:39). This statement does not abolish the concept of justice but redefines how kingdom citizens are to respond to personal offenses. Jesus calls for a response rooted in grace, humility, and forgiveness, rather than retaliation or self-defense.
The phrase “do not resist an evil person” does not mean passively accepting injustice or enabling wrongdoing. Instead, it reflects a willingness to forego personal revenge and entrust justice to God. As Paul writes in Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
2. Turning the Other Cheek
The specific example of turning the other cheek refers to a personal insult rather than physical assault. In ancient Jewish culture, a slap on the right cheek was a backhanded strike, considered an especially demeaning insult. By offering the other cheek, the offended party refuses to retaliate, demonstrating self-control and grace.
This principle aligns with Proverbs 19:11: “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.” Turning the other cheek reflects a heart transformed by God’s love, prioritizing peace over personal vindication.
Living Out Generosity and Grace
Jesus expands on His teaching with three additional examples of radical generosity:
1. Giving More Than What Is Demanded
Jesus says, “And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well” (Matthew 5:40). In ancient Jewish law, a person’s outer coat could not be permanently taken, as it was considered essential for survival (Exodus 22:26–27). Yet Jesus calls His followers to go beyond legal requirements, willingly surrendering even their coat in the spirit of generosity.
This act demonstrates a heart free from materialism and resentment. It reflects the attitude of 1 Corinthians 6:7: “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” By giving more than what is demanded, believers testify to the transformative power of the gospel.
2. Going the Extra Mile
Next, Jesus teaches, “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:41). This refers to the Roman practice of compelling civilians to carry a soldier’s equipment for up to one mile. While this law was resented by the Jewish people, Jesus calls His followers to respond with unexpected generosity, willingly going beyond what is required.
This principle reflects the attitude of a servant’s heart, as seen in Philippians 2:3–4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
3. Giving to Those in Need
Finally, Jesus commands, “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). This teaching emphasizes open-handed generosity, prioritizing the needs of others over personal comfort or convenience.
While believers are called to be wise stewards of their resources, they must also reflect God’s generosity. Proverbs 19:17 declares, “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
The Kingdom Perspective
Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness and generosity reflects the values of the kingdom of heaven, which stand in stark contrast to the values of the world. In the kingdom, humility, grace, and selflessness take precedence over pride, revenge, and self-interest. This radical way of living is not natural to the human heart but is made possible through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
1. Trusting God with Justice
By refusing to retaliate, believers entrust justice to God, who is perfectly righteous and sovereign. Psalm 37:5–6 encourages, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.” Trusting God allows believers to respond to offenses with peace and confidence in His ultimate justice.
2. Reflecting God’s Character
Forgiveness and generosity mirror the character of God, who is gracious and merciful. In Matthew 5:45, Jesus reminds His followers that God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” By extending grace to others, believers reflect the love of their heavenly Father.
Practical Applications for Believers
1. Responding to Offenses with Grace
When faced with personal insults or injustices, believers must resist the urge to retaliate. Instead, they are called to respond with patience and forgiveness, reflecting the humility of Christ. Colossians 3:13 instructs, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
2. Practicing Radical Generosity
Jesus’ teaching challenges believers to give freely and sacrificially, prioritizing the needs of others over personal gain. This includes sharing resources with those in need, going out of one’s way to help others, and approaching relationships with a spirit of selflessness.
3. Trusting God in All Circumstances
Living out Jesus’ commands requires faith in God’s provision and justice. Believers can trust that God sees their sacrifices and will reward their obedience, as promised in Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
The Gospel and Kingdom Living
Jesus’ teaching on turning the other cheek ultimately points to the gospel, where forgiveness and generosity find their fullest expression. On the cross, Jesus bore the ultimate insult and injustice, responding not with retaliation but with grace. His prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34), embodies the radical love He calls His followers to demonstrate.
Through the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to live out these kingdom values, bearing witness to the transformative power of the gospel. By choosing forgiveness over revenge and generosity over self-interest, they reflect the heart of their Savior and point others to His grace.
Conclusion
Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile challenges believers to live with a heart of forgiveness, grace, and generosity. This radical way of responding to personal offenses and injustices reflects the values of the kingdom of heaven and the character of God. For Christians today, this teaching serves as both a challenge and an invitation: a challenge to rise above the world’s standards and an invitation to experience the freedom and joy of living as citizens of God’s kingdom.
By trusting God with justice, extending grace to others, and practicing radical generosity, believers can glorify God and bear witness to the gospel in a world marked by pride and retaliation. May we, as followers of Christ, embody His love and forgiveness in every interaction.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
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For Further Reference: A Detailed Study on the Entire Sermon on the Mount