Turning the Other Cheek

Northwest Bible Church – Feb. 8, 2026 – Matthew – Alan Conner

Matthew. 5:38-42

Turning the Other Cheek

Intro 

A. THE O.T. law of Lex Talionis (Matthew 5:38).

1. Jesus quotes from Exodus. 21:22-25; Leviticus. 24:19-20; Deuteronomy. 19:15-21.  

2. The Lex Talionis laws were to be applied by the court’s judicial system.

3. The punishment must be just and fair.   

4. The O.T. taught against personal revenge.  Leviticus. 19:18; Proverbs. 24:29; 20:22; 25:21.

B. THE RABBINIC DISTORTION.

1. Personal revenge rather than punishment by the courts.   

2. Retaliation was assumed to be a personal right or duty.   

C. CHRIST’S CORRECTION (Matthew 5:39-42).      “But I say to you” (Matthew 5:39).

1. PRINCIPLE:  “Do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:39).   

a. What it does not mean:

(1) can’t rebuke one for sin (Galatians. 2:11).

(2) no self-defense (Exodus. 21).  

(3) no stand against evil.   

b. What does Jesus mean?     No revenge on a personal level.

2.  EXAMPLES:  Do not resist a slap on the cheek, but turn the other (Matthew 5:39b).    

a.  Christ’s example during His trial.  Isaiah. 50:6

b.  Don’t seek revenge when persecuted.    Jam. 5:6; Hebrews. 10:34

c.  Return good for evil.  Romans. 12:17-21.

d.  Love does not take revenge.   Matthew. 5:44; 1 Corinthians. 13:5   

D. QUALIFICATIONS TO THE PRINCIPLE.

 

1.  A slap is an insulting gesture.    

2.   Law of self defense is biblical, Exodus. 21.

3. Does it matter if it is a higher authority doing the persecution or harm? 

Conclusion