What Does "Turn the Other Cheek" Mean in Modern-Day Christianity?

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow." - Matthew 5:38-42

Jesus' command to “turn the other cheek” is often misunderstood as passive weakness. This article explains the true meaning behind the phrase in Matthew 5, showing how it calls Christians to respond to offense with grace, strength, and trust in God's justice—even in today’s world.

The legal principle of “eye for an eye” was established in Old Testament law to prevent excessive retaliation; punishments were to be proportional to the offense. Jesus, on the other hand, set a very different standard. Christians are commanded to endure rather than retaliate against insults and unfair treatment. How can Christians live out this teaching of Jesus today?

What Is the Meaning of "Turn the Other Cheek"? The True Spirit of God's Law

"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’" - Matthew 5:38

These laws were put in place to keep vengeance to a minimum and make it easier for the court to impose a punishment neither too harsh nor too light. However, this phrase was being used by some to justify their vengeance against others. “I was just doing to him what he did to me,” is still a common excuse for retaliation by some. But God's plan always revolves around mercy. 

"And if any mischief follows, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." -Exodus 21:23-25
"And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again." - Leviticus 24:19-20
"And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." - Deuteronomy 19:21 

Most of the time, our first reaction when we are wronged is to get even. Jesus, on the other hand, instructed us to help those who had wronged us. Our desire ought to be to love and forgive rather than to keep a running tally of events. This is supernatural, not natural. Only God can empower us to love as He does. We ought to pray for those who have wronged us rather than plotting retribution.

Follow Jesus' Example of Turning the Other Cheek

"But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also." - Matthew 5:39

These statements were offensive to many Jews at the time of Jesus. They wanted a Messiah who would lead a military revolt against Rome. They desired retaliation against their hated enemies under Roman oppression. Jesus, on the other hand, proposed a radical new approach to injustice. He taught to freely give up rights rather than fight for them, and that it's more important to show mercy and justice than to receive it. 

"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men." - Romans 12:17
"Now, therefore, there is utterly a fault among you because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? Why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?" - 1 Corinthians 6:7
"Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9 

Jesus himself lived out "turning the other cheek" by choosing mercy over retaliation—remaining silent before His accusers, not resisting arrest, and even praying for those who crucified Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

The Surprising Power of Giving Freely

" If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too." - Matthew 5:40

Believers can use personal attacks to demonstrate the power and goodness of God. Christ provided illustrations of what it means to resist others. In Jesus' time, most people wore this as their inner garment. This literally meant “the shirt off our back” in today’s terminology. Jesus instructs us to simply give that person both our coat and our cloak, the outer garment, rather than fighting them in court. Christians have the power to be an example of faithful strength in the face of what others consider insults and abuse.

"If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles." - Matthew 5:41

This illustration alluded to the Roman occupiers of Israel, who frequently treated the Jewish people harshly and unfairly. Roman soldiers could seize any Jewish citizen of their choosing and compel them to carry baggage or other objects for a standard mile. Naturally, a desire for vengeance would be sparked by such an oppressive and intrusive act. It would entice people to violently overthrow the Romans from a cultural perspective.

Some of Jesus’s first followers believed that His mission as Messiah was to expel the occupiers from Israel and overthrow them. Some might interpret these words as appeasement and weakness when taken out of context and view them with cynicism. Jesus, on the other hand, described a person who can take charge and give an adversary more than they asked for. 

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:21

Abundance Vs. Scarcity: Living Out the Principle of Turning the Other Cheek

"Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow." - Matthew 5:42

Jesus described a different but related scenario in this instance. The previous command suggested that someone with greater authority, such as a Roman soldier or a wealthy community member, had issued the order. By instructing His followers to submit to those at the bottom of society, Jesus extends the earlier command. He instructed His disciples to lend money or possessions to anyone who asks and to freely give to beggars. 

"But thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth." - Deuteronomy 15:8

Jesus demonstrated that choosing to give is a powerful act. We can choose to put our faith in God's provision. This command does not imply being naive or gullible about charity, just as Jesus’ previous words do not prohibit legitimate self-defense. 

"Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one." - Luke 22:36
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." - Matthew 10:16
"But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience." - 2 Timothy 3:10

Living with an abundance mindset means trusting that God’s provision never runs dry—so we can give freely, without fear, even when the world clings to scarcity. When someone expresses a legitimate need, the appropriate response is to give with intention and sacrifice.

Questions for Reflection: 

1. Are we retaliating against those who harm us? Do we show ill will and begrudgingly give to those in need?
2. How does this affect our Christian behavior?

Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Anthony Tran

Chris Swanson answered the call into the ministry over 20 years ago. He has served as a Sunday School teacher, a youth director along with his wife, a music director, an associate pastor, and an interim pastor. He is a retired Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman with over 30 years of combined active and reserve service. You can contact Chris here, and check out his work here.

This article is part of our larger resource library of popular Bible verse phrases and quotes. We want to provide easy to read articles that answer your questions about the meaning, origin, and history of specific verses within Scripture's context. It is our hope that these will help you better understand the meaning and purpose of God's Word in relation to your life today.

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