You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, offer no resistance to one who is evil. When someone strikes you on [your] right cheek, turn the other one to him as well. 40 If anyone wants to go to law with you over your tunic, hand him your cloak as well. 41 Should anyone press you into service for one mile, go with him for two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn your back on one who wants to borrow.
Jesus reinterpreted the Mosaic law with respect to retaliation. The Torah put limits on retaliation ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (Ex. 21:24; Lev. 24:19-20; Deut. 19:21), but Jesus told his disciples that they should not retaliate in the face of evil. Jesus demonstrated this on the cross when he prayed, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do (Lk. 23:34).” Jesus showed the restraint that is required of his disciples when he was betrayed by Judas and one of his disciples cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. The Son of God said to his disciples, “Do you think that I cannot call upon my Father and he will not provide me at this moment with more than twelve legions of angels (Mt. 26:53)?” Not retaliating physically to evil acts against you gives your opponent the opportunity to have a change of heart (Jn. 3:17). It was not indifference to evil but a chance to save rather than condemn (Jn. 12:47). Being struck on the right cheek with the back of the hand was an insult and we should not retaliate against insults. Litigation should be avoided and we must have a generous heart. If the State requisitions the service of you or your animal do more than is required of you without resentment. Be kind and generous towards people.
Almighty God, in your mercy grant us the grace to hold only love in our hearts so that neither anger nor malice may drive us to retaliate against our brothers. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
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