The Sermon on the Mount: Turning the Other Cheek
In the ninth in his series on the Sermon on the Mount, Pastor Shane looks at Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek, and what that means for us today.
Click here for the recording of this 3/16/25 Service, and you can fast-forward to 23:45 to get to the start of the sermon.
Our text comes from Matthew Chapter 5.38-42
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘ Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not show opposition against an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other toward him also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.”
Introduction…
On its face, this passage is problematic
If we don’t get our interpretation right (exegesis- to bring out)
We can’t get our application right (hermeneutics- the correct application of scripture)
Too many, on both the right and the left, read into the text what they want to see- this is called isogesis- to put into the text what we want
My goal- “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2.15 KJV
Because these are the words of Christ Himself, is this teaching absolute henceforth?
How do we correctly interpret this in light of the OT, His other similar teaching, and Paul?
What does the correct application of His teaching look like for us today, in light of war, self defense, etc.?
Can you turn the other cheek and hold the US 2nd Amendment simultaneously?
How does this apply to those who hold a CHL (Concealed Handgun License) or provide church security?
V38
As is His custom, Jesus again starts with His Bible, and OT text from Ex 21.24, Lev 24.20, Dt 19.21; this deals with OT retribution- “fracture for fracture, life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot…”
Much of this was rooted in the need for Israel conform to, remain unified, and provide structure under Levitical law so that they could conquer the Promised Land
The OT gets a bad rap from uninformed people- OT Judaism laid the groundwork for NT Christianity; if you don’t allow yourself to be discipled, you won’t know this
v39
“But I say…”
Jesus makes it clear that he came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it, Mt 5.17
Do not show opposition to, antisthemi- resist, oppose, withstand
An evil person (ponerios- bad, wicked, the negative moral quality of a person opposed to God)
Whoever slaps you (rapizo- to strike with the palm of the hand, beat with rods) on the right cheek, turn the other to him also
V40
Whoever wants to sue you (krino- bring judgment against, a legal term) and take your tunic (chiton- the inner garment similar to a shirt or blouse, worn by both sexes)
Give him your cloak also (himation- the outer garment, the mantle, similar to one’s coat today)
He is using exaggeration to show His point toward forgiveness
v41
If someone coerces (angareuō- used of military conscription) you to go a mile, go a second mile (of your own volition)
Hence today’s phrase ”going the extra mile”
v42
Give to him who asks of you
Do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you
Share what you can, whenever you can, with whomever you can
Questions
In light of this passage
Why did Jesus later tell the 12 (at the last supper) to sell their cloak and go (along with money and a bag) and buy a sword, Lk 22.36 (machaira- a short, defensive weapon)?
Why did Peter then use that/a sword (machaira) to cut of Malchus’ ear in Gethsemane, Jn 18.10-11?
Why did Jesus tell Peter to stop, and then heal Malchus’ ear?
Why did Paul affirm the state’s right (likely military and police) to bear the sword (machaira) in Rom 13, calling them “servants of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one doing evil”?
General application
The broad tenor of Scripture (OT/NT) is that war in defense of one’s country is sometimes necessary (see Augustine’s Just War Theory).
Christ’s general NT principle is to practice forgiveness and restraint from physical violence when possible.
He told the 12 go sell their cloak and buy a sword for a reason, likely some form of self defense.
His actions in the Garden of Gethsemane showed His limits to that self defense.
Paul affirms the right of the state to bear arms, seeing them as agents of God to do His will.
Thus, taking in the broad tenor of Scripture, turning the other cheek is situational.
Good people, who love Jesus and His Word, will not agree on the application of this principle.
Scripture appears to be in tension on this issue; people don’t like it when the application of Scriptural principle is in tension, because we want easy, simple answers.
