But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
English Standard Version (ESV)
When Jesus says, "Do not resist the one who is evil," he's not just about avoiding physical retaliation, but also about not letting the desire to "get even" take root in our hearts. The startling command to turn the other cheek is meant to disarm the attacker by refusing to escalate the conflict, turning a moment of aggression into an opportunity for surprising grace.
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is delivering his most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, where he's unpacking what it truly means to live by God's kingdom values. He's contrasting his radical message with the common interpretations of the Old Testament law, showing how his followers are called to a righteousness that goes far beyond mere outward observance, demanding a transformation of the heart. This specific passage follows Jesus addressing the commandment "an eye for an eye," pushing his disciples towards a non-retaliatory response to injustice.
Jesus says, 'Do not resist evil.' But does this mean we can never stand against injustice? Let's dig into what 'resisting' really means here.
The core idea isn't about never opposing wrongdoing, but about avoiding the specific kind of response that escalates conflict and mirrors the evil being done.
The Trap of Retaliation
Jesus is correcting a common misunderstanding of the 'eye for an eye' principle. People were using it to justify private revenge, seeking to match injury with injury. Christ's command, 'Do not resist evil,' is a direct call to break this cycle of retaliation. It’s about refusing to pay back evil with evil.
The Goal: Overcoming Evil with Good
Instead of fighting fire with fire, Jesus calls for a different approach. This doesn't mean we become doormats to any and all mistreatment. As scholars note, there's a difference between 'resisting evil' (retaliating) and 'avoiding an unjust attack' or 'protesting when necessary.' The ultimate aim is to 'overcome evil with good,' as Paul puts it, showing a radical patience and love that disarms.
A Higher Standard
This call to 'turn the other cheek' is an extreme example of this principle. It’s not about literal obedience in every circumstance, but about cultivating a heart that doesn't seek revenge. It’s about disengaging from the desire to 'get even,' even when faced with unfairness.
Ask a follow-up
Does Jesus' command mean we can never defend ourselves or seek justice? The context reveals a deeper principle at play.
The Sermon on the Mount, including the commands about turning the other cheek, isn't a detailed legal manual. It's a presentation of the principles that should guide the heart and life of a disciple.
The Heart of the Matter
Jesus isn't laying down strict rules for every possible scenario. Instead, He's exposing the corrupting influence of revenge and demanding a transformation of our inner motives. The focus is on eliminating the desire to retaliate.
Beyond Literal Interpretation
Scholars point out that Jesus Himself protested when struck unjustly (John 18:22-23) and that Paul also spoke up when treated unfairly (Acts 23:3). This shows that the principle isn't about absolute, literal passivity in all situations. These instances are not about revenge, but about asserting truth and accountability in a way that doesn't fuel personal animosity.
The Role of Society and Justice
While personal retaliation is forbidden, the need for societal order and justice is not discarded. The principles Jesus teaches are meant to guide believers, but they operate within a world where authorities are sometimes established by God to uphold what is right. This means that asserting truth, protecting others, or seeking lawful redress can still be necessary, provided it's done without a vengeful spirit.
Understand the original words
anthistēmi · Greek Verb
To set oneself against, withstand, or oppose. In a legal or personal sense, it refers to standing against an adversary or taking up a defensive position.
rhapizō · Greek Verb
To strike with the palm of the hand. Culturally, this was often an act of personal insult, social shaming, or contempt rather than an attempt to cause severe physical injury.
siagōn · Greek Noun
Part of the face; being struck on the cheek in the ancient world was a profound symbol of public humiliation and the loss of personal honor.
Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek directly challenged the common Jewish understanding of the Law of Moses, which often guided civil and judicial retribution. He reframed 'an eye for an eye' not as a license for personal revenge, but as a principle for magistrates to ensure proportional justice, while calling his followers to a higher standard of selfless love and non-resistance.
c. 20 BC - 4 BC
Herod the Great's Reign
During the reign of Herod the Great, Judea was under Roman rule but maintained a degree of autonomy. Jewish law and custom were still highly influential, particularly regarding matters of justice and personal honor.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry
John the Baptist began his public ministry, calling for repentance and preparing the way for Jesus. This period saw a heightened awareness of God's coming kingdom and a re-evaluation of religious and social norms.
c. AD 28-30— this verse
Jesus' Public Ministry Begins
Jesus began his public ministry, teaching, healing, and gathering disciples. His teachings, including the Sermon on the Mount, challenged conventional interpretations of the Law and the prevailing social order.
c. AD 30
Sermon on the Mount
Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching on the ethics and principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. This included radical instructions on non-retaliation and love for enemies.
c. AD 33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus was crucified and resurrected, events that profoundly shaped the understanding of his teachings on suffering, sacrifice, and divine power.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Matthew 5:39 by instructing believers to 'overcome evil with good,' directly aligning with the principle of non-retaliation and patient endurance.
1 Peter 2:20-23Peter writes about suffering unjustly, specifically mentioning 'being reviled, do not revile in return,' and highlights Christ's example of not threatening when reviled, which powerfully illustrates the attitude commanded in Matthew 5:39.
Luke 6:29-30Luke presents a very similar teaching, including turning the other cheek and giving to anyone who asks, reinforcing that this command is a core teaching of Jesus, not a singular or isolated statement.
Exodus 21:24This passage from the Old Testament Law shows the original 'eye for an eye' principle, which Jesus is contrasting and fulfilling by calling His followers to a higher standard of love and non-resistance.
John 18:22-23Jesus' own response when struck by an officer provides a practical, though nuanced, example of not retaliating in kind, even while asserting the injustice of the action, offering insight into how this command might be lived out.
calvinMatthew 5:38-41: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:"
You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39. But I say to you, Do not resist evil: but whoever, shall inflict a blow on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also: 40. And to him who wishes to enter into a law-suit with thee, and to take away thy coat, allow him thy cloak also: 41. And whoever shall constrain thee to one mile, go with him two.
To him…
meyerMatthew 5:39: "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Matthew 5:39-40 . Τῷ πονηρῷ ] is neither to be understood of the devil (Chrysostom, Theophylact), nor, as neuter (Augustine, Luther, Castalio, Calvin, Ewald, and others), of injustice; but, in accordance with the antithesis ἀλλʼ ὅστις σε ῥαπίζει , etc., and with Matthew 5:40-41 : homini maligno . Christ names first the right cheek, although the blow most na…
When Jesus says, "Do not resist the one who is evil," he's not just about avoiding physical retaliation, but also about not letting the desire to "get even" take root in our hearts. The startling command to turn the other cheek is meant to disarm the attacker by refusing to escalate the conflict, turning a moment of aggression into an opportunity for surprising grace.
Jesus is delivering his most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, where he's unpacking what it truly means to live by God's kingdom values. He's contrasting his radical message with the common interpretations of the Old Testament law, showing how his followers are called to a righteousness that goes far beyond mere outward observance, demanding a transformation of the heart. This specific passage follows Jesus addressing the commandment "an eye for an eye," pushing his disciples towards a non-retaliatory response to injustice.
Jesus is delivering his most famous teaching, the Sermon on the Mount, where he's unpacking what it truly means to live by God's kingdom values. He's contrasting his radical message with the common interpretations of the Old Testament law, showing how his followers are called to a righteousness that goes far beyond mere outward observance, demanding a transformation of the heart. This specific passage follows Jesus addressing the commandment "an eye for an eye," pushing his disciples towards a non-retaliatory response to injustice.
"But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." — When Jesus says, "Do not resist the one who is evil," he's not just about avoiding physical retaliation, but also about not letting the desire to "get even" take root in our hearts. The startling com…
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Last reviewed October 2026