03 · Words of Jesus
Turn the Other Cheek
Matthew 5:38–42
Jesus answers retaliation with non-retaliation.
What does it mean to turn the other cheek?
Discuss: Does turning the other cheek rule out self-defense or boundaries?
After your discussion: compare with our assessment
Our assessment
We consider options A and C together to be closest to the main sense of the passage. A captures Jesus' rejection of revenge and retaliation. The person who is struck is not told to strike back, and the person subjected to demands does not respond with equivalent aggression. C also captures the nature of Jesus' teaching. The examples are drastic and memorable: the other cheek, the cloak as well, the extra mile, and giving. They shape an attitude that is not governed by the demand to repay in kind. Together, A and C express both the movement away from retaliation and the generous posture toward which the examples point.
03 · Matthew 5:38–42
Go deeper
Text & context
Full translation
Translated from the Greek text – SBLGNT
What is happening here?
Notice this
Jesus explicitly says “your right cheek.” That detail is often used in historical reconstructions of the social meaning of the blow. Such interpretations may be interesting, but details beyond the text itself should not be presented as though they were explicitly stated in the Gospel. Also notice that Jesus' examples are not simply about passive endurance. In several cases the person does more than was demanded: the cloak as well, another mile, and giving to the one who asks. This makes the passage more complex than simply saying, “do nothing.”
Language & translation
From the Greek
ἀντιστῆναι – antistēnai
resist / oppose The verb can express opposing or resisting. Jesus' wording is therefore stronger than simply paraphrasing it as “do not take revenge,” even though the context clearly concerns responses to wrongdoing.
πονηρῷ – ponērō
the evil one / the one who does evil / evil The form can be understood in different ways depending on how the expression is read. Our English translation uses “the one who does evil,” while the deeper study preserves the interpretive openness.
ῥαπίζει – rhapizei
strikes / slaps Jesus explicitly mentions the right cheek. This detail has prompted historical reconstructions about how the blow may have been delivered and what social meaning it may have carried. The Greek wording itself, however, does not prove every detail of those reconstructions.
ἀγγαρεύσει – angareusei
compels into service The verb is associated with compelling someone to perform transport or service and fits a setting in which a person with authority could require such assistance.
μίλιον – milion
mile A loanword associated with the Roman mile, making Jesus' example about going an extra mile concrete in its historical setting.
Translation note
Independent English translation from the Greek text, using SBLGNT as the primary Greek edition.
Compare for yourself
Read Matthew 5:38–42 in another Bible translation. Pay particular attention to how these expressions are rendered:
- antistēnai
- tō ponērō
- the blow on the right cheek
- angareusei
- milion
Consider especially whether the meaning changes depending on whether Matthew 5:39 is rendered approximately as “do not resist the evil one,” “do not resist an evil person,” or “do not resist evil.”
Continue the conversation
Discuss further
- Is there a difference between refusing revenge and refusing resistance?
- Can someone turn the other cheek while still setting clear boundaries?
- Does Jesus' teaching change when you need to protect another person rather than only yourself?
- Which of Jesus' four examples – the cheek, the clothing, the mile, or giving – is hardest to put into practice today?
Parallel passages
- Luke 6:27–31
- Exodus 21:23–25
- Leviticus 24:19–20
- Deuteronomy 19:21
Sources
- The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (SBLGNT), Matthew 5:38–42
- Exodus 21:23–25
- Leviticus 24:19–20
- Deuteronomy 19:21
- Standard Greek lexical resources for anthistēmi, ponēros, rhapizō, angareuō, and milion