But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 39. Not to resist evil; [6] that is not to resist or revenge thyself of him that hath done evil to thee.—Turn him the other cheek. Let him have also thy cloak. These are to be understood as admonitions to Christians, to forgive every one, and to bear patiently all manner of private injuries. But we must not from hence conclude it unlawful for any one to have recourse to the laws, when a man is injured, and cannot have justice by any other means. Witham.—What is here commanded, is a Christian patience under injuries and affronts, and to be willing even to suffer still more, rather than to indulge the desire of revenge; but what is further added does not strictly oblige according to the letter, for neither did Christ, nor Saint Paul, turn the other cheek. Saint John 18 and Acts 23. Challoner.—Hence also the Anabaptists infer, that it is not lawful to go to law even for our just rights; and Luther, that Christians ought not to resist the Turks. B.