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