Turn the other cheek
It can be read in the actual context of Matthew 5:39, but if you needed any more reason to believe that Jesus wasn't advocating that we just let people abuse us - you can find an example in John 18.
When Jesus was quite literally slapped in the face, He didn't simply turn the other cheek. He retorted and challenged why He was slapped. But is He then contradicting his statement in Matthew?
No, because the example of the slap, as well as the examples that follow in the passage, were used to express a more complex idea. This was an instructional method commonly used in Jesus's ministry. We can see the point He was making by analyzing the passage:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’(v38)
- He begins by recalling an old Law that called for 1-for-1 punishment. That you should pay people back in kind for damages done to you.
But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.(v39)
- "But I say to you", implying this concept runs against the way someone would generally interpret the old Law. Ie. "You've heard to repay in kind, instead {do this}..."
But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (v39-42)
- He then gives a list of examples that demonstrate the thing you're suppose to do instead of repaying in kind. It's not exhaustive because the individual examples are not prescriptive. You're not necessarily suppose to always physically turn your head to a slap. But then what do these examples demonstrate? What is that thing you're suppose to do? He explains that too, in the following verses.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (v43-44)
So here we see what we are meant to do in the face of people who do evil. We are to oppose evil, because we are commanded to (Ephesians 6:12, Romans 12:21, James 4:7, etc). But we are not to oppose the person, we are suppose to love and help them. Which is exactly what Jesus did when he was slapped. He didnt physically turn the other cheek, because that wasn't the point. Instead, He pressured the man to see the evil he was doing by challenging his logic.
This is nothing new to the average Christian, to "hate the sin, love the sinner". But the idea of when and how you're suppose to resist can be confusing. Because you have people like Jesus, John, Paul and others who remained passive in the face of imprisonment, torture and death. But you also have Jesus telling his followers to arm themselves, and plenty of examples of violent resistance in the OT.
As for that, see:
https://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1443073074428645389
https://cdn.minds.com/fs/v1/thumbnail/1560344672843337745/xlarge/
https://cdn.minds.com/fs/v1/thumbnail/1560344672767840261/xlarge/
Joshua Jones /
npub13j…3v0x8
2024-01-23 22:08:18
Author Public Key
npub13juas4j7xqqgfkvq4dhnwxs4gk75xvw9drcvh5cmn7naq3njxgjqa3v0x8Published at
2024-01-23 22:08:18Event JSON
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"content": "Turn the other cheek\nIt can be read in the actual context of Matthew 5:39, but if you needed any more reason to believe that Jesus wasn't advocating that we just let people abuse us - you can find an example in John 18.\n\nWhen Jesus was quite literally slapped in the face, He didn't simply turn the other cheek. He retorted and challenged why He was slapped. But is He then contradicting his statement in Matthew?\n\nNo, because the example of the slap, as well as the examples that follow in the passage, were used to express a more complex idea. This was an instructional method commonly used in Jesus's ministry. We can see the point He was making by analyzing the passage:\n\n“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’(v38)\n- He begins by recalling an old Law that called for 1-for-1 punishment. That you should pay people back in kind for damages done to you.\n\nBut I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.(v39)\n- \"But I say to you\", implying this concept runs against the way someone would generally interpret the old Law. Ie. \"You've heard to repay in kind, instead {do this}...\"\n\nBut if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (v39-42)\n- He then gives a list of examples that demonstrate the thing you're suppose to do instead of repaying in kind. It's not exhaustive because the individual examples are not prescriptive. You're not necessarily suppose to always physically turn your head to a slap. But then what do these examples demonstrate? What is that thing you're suppose to do? He explains that too, in the following verses.\n\n“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (v43-44)\n\nSo here we see what we are meant to do in the face of people who do evil. We are to oppose evil, because we are commanded to (Ephesians 6:12, Romans 12:21, James 4:7, etc). But we are not to oppose the person, we are suppose to love and help them. Which is exactly what Jesus did when he was slapped. He didnt physically turn the other cheek, because that wasn't the point. Instead, He pressured the man to see the evil he was doing by challenging his logic.\n\nThis is nothing new to the average Christian, to \"hate the sin, love the sinner\". But the idea of when and how you're suppose to resist can be confusing. Because you have people like Jesus, John, Paul and others who remained passive in the face of imprisonment, torture and death. But you also have Jesus telling his followers to arm themselves, and plenty of examples of violent resistance in the OT.\n\nAs for that, see:\nhttps://www.minds.com/newsfeed/1443073074428645389\n\nhttps://cdn.minds.com/fs/v1/thumbnail/1560344672843337745/xlarge/\n\nhttps://cdn.minds.com/fs/v1/thumbnail/1560344672767840261/xlarge/",
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