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Matthew 5:39 (BSB)
But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
THE HOLY BIBLE
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Scripture quotations (main text) are from the Berean Study Bible (BSB), © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), ©2001 by Crossway, is used for comparison and word study only.
Bible Copyright & Permissions“But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;” — Matthew 5:39
Imagine you're in a tense moment, and someone just slapped you. Your instinct might be to retaliate, to fight back, right? But here, you’re being challenged to do something radical—turn the other cheek. This isn’t about being a doormat; it’s about breaking the cycle of violence. It’s an invitation to rise above the immediate hurt and respond in a way that defies the norm. Instead of escalating the conflict, you’re choosing peace and showing strength in vulnerability. It’s a call to stand firm in your values without resorting to anger or revenge. What an empowering moment this is!
The book of Matthew was written by a guy who once collected taxes, which wasn’t the most popular job at the time! Matthew’s perspective is unique because he experienced the shift from being an outsider to a follower of Jesus. He wanted to show others just how revolutionary Jesus’ teachings were, especially to a Jewish audience. Including this detail about turning the other cheek underscores the transformative power of Jesus’ message. Matthew understood firsthand what it meant to be judged and how powerful it is to respond with love instead of hate.
This was written in a time when the Jewish people were under Roman rule, facing oppression and injustice. The culture was steeped in a ‘get back at those who hurt you’ mentality. So, when Jesus spoke these words, it was radical. People were looking for a warrior to lead them against their oppressors, but instead, they got a message about turning the other cheek. This was a time of tension, and Jesus was offering a new way to deal with that tension—through love instead of violence. It was a revolutionary moment that spoke directly to their struggles.
This verse is incredibly relevant to your life today. Think about the conflicts you face—whether it’s a misunderstanding with a friend or a bigger social issue. This teaching encourages you to break the cycle of retaliation. It challenges you to respond to negativity with grace and strength rather than anger. When you choose to turn the other cheek, you’re not just avoiding conflict; you’re making a powerful statement about who you are and what you stand for. It’s about finding peace in chaos and being the bigger person, even when it’s tough. That’s life-changing!
This week, look for an opportunity to practice this teaching. If someone wrongs you—maybe a friend says something hurtful or a stranger is rude—try to respond with kindness instead of anger. Maybe it’s as simple as a calm conversation instead of a heated argument, or even just letting something slide that you’d typically react to. Challenge yourself to find a way to show compassion instead of retaliating. It may feel uncomfortable, but that’s where growth happens!
This verse is part of a larger teaching where Jesus is laying out a whole new way of living—often referred to as the Sermon on the Mount. He’s addressing a crowd that’s used to the idea of ‘an eye for an eye.’ But here, He flips that expectation on its head! Just before this verse, He talks about loving your enemies and praying for those who hurt you. This moment is pivotal because it challenges the listeners to rethink how they respond to injustice and pain. After this, He continues to emphasize the importance of going beyond what’s expected, urging people to embrace a radical love. It’s a game-changer in the narrative of how we treat each other.
When faced with conflict or hurt, how can you actively choose a response that promotes peace instead of retaliation? What does that look like for you in real-life situations?
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