What does it mean to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Turning the other cheek is Jesus’ call to reject personal vengeance and reflect God’s mercy, even when wronged (Matthew 5:39; Romans 12:17–21). This command is rooted in the heart of God’s law, which has always emphasized compassion, humility, and trusting God to handle justice (Leviticus 19:18; Hosea 6:6; Proverbs 20:22). Instead of repaying evil with evil, believers are called to overcome evil with good, demonstrating a love that mirrors God’s own character (Romans 12:20–21; Galatians 5:14).

At the same time, this response is not passive or naive, as Scripture also calls us to be wise and discerning in the face of harm and opposition (Matthew 10:16). Turning the other cheek does not mean enabling abuse or avoiding justice. God has established authorities to uphold righteousness and deal with wrongdoing, and we can rely on these systems to deal with wrongdoing (Romans 13:1–4). But, even in these situations, we can trust God and not take vengeance upon ourselves. When we live this way, we reflect Christ to a watching world, showing that His grace is greater than any offense and that His love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8; James 2:13).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Underlying God's law is God's love. The Mosaic Law revealed this through many of the specific commandments, such as Exodus 23:4-5: "If you meet your enemy's ox or his donkey going astray, you shall bring it back to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you lying down under its burden, you shall refrain from leaving him with it; you shall rescue it with him" (cf. Exodus 22:25-27, 23:6-9, Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 22:1-4, 24:19-22).
• Likewise, Proverbs 25:21a says, "If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink."
• Leviticus contains God's command for His people to love their neighbor (Leviticus 19:18; cf. Deuteronomy 10:18-19).
• Through the prophet Hosea, God told His people, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings" (Hosea 6:6). The spirit of the law is God's love, not adherence to the letter of the law.
• Seeking personal vengeance may reveal a lack of trust in God to mete out justice. Proverbs 20:22 says, "Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you."

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• As part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. Jesus stated that "if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39; cf. Luke 6:29-30). This fits with the message throughout the Sermon that emphasizes having a loving heart rather than seeking personal retaliation.
• Paul reiterated the command when he wrote to the Romans, "Repay no one evil for evil" (Romans 12:17) and "if your enemy is hungry, feed him" (Romans 12:20). Doing this is a way to "overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21).
• Romans 13:8 makes it clear that God's law was rooted in God's love and that "the one who loves another has fulfilled the law." In fact, Paul says, "For the commandments . . . are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Romans 13:9; cf. Luke 10:25-37; Galatians 5:14).
• Scripture shows that "love never fails" (1 Corinthians 13:8 NIV) and that. "mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).
• Matthew 5:29 does not command believers to interact or have relationships with those who have a history or likelihood of harming us. Jesus warned His apostles about the persecution they would face and advised them to be shrewed about handling it: "Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Not seeking personal retribution is not the same as being wise enough to protect ourselves against harm.
• The admonition not to seek personal vengeance does not mean that we shouldn't seek justice from the laws of our society. Paul makes it clear that each governing authority God has put in place "does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (Romans 13:4).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

"Do unto others . . . " Most Christians can finish that saying accurately (Luke 6:31). But many unbelievers might complete it with "before they have a chance to do unto you." It's tempting to go along with that. When someone rides your bumper, you may be inclined to let off the gas instead of pulling over and letting him pass. When a co-worker gossips about you, the urge is to do likewise and spread a nasty rumor about her. When your neighbor cuts down your tree that borders his property, the first impulse may be to start a suburban war by cutting down his rosebush.

But if we do that, we're not reflecting the heart of our heavenly Father. Christians must resist the temptation to follow the world's example. We are Christ's testimony to a lost and dying world. The urge for personal vengeance is never as important as reflecting the Lord to others. When we consider how Jesus didn't defend Himself amidst the most unjust persecution anyone has ever faced for sinners like you and me, we can more easily show to others a bit of the amazing grace He has shown to us.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus exhorted us to turn the other cheek as a metaphorical way of saying that we are not to seek personal vengeance against those who have wronged us.
• Matthew 5:39 was not a new commandment but was rooted in God's love and mercy as seen throughout the Old Testament.
• Turning the other cheek does not mean that we cannot seek justice, but we are to leave retribution to God.

REFLECT

• In what areas of your life do you find it more difficult to overlook personal offenses?
• What are some spiritual disciplines that help you resist seeking personal vengeance?
• What boundaries do you set for those whom you believe are intent on doing you harm?

ENGAGE

• How can believers best best live out Matthew 5:39 without being perpetual victims?
• What are some ways Matthew 5:39 has been misinterpreted?
• What is the difference between following Matthew 5:39 and seeking appropriate justice rather than retribution?