In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches his followers how to live as citizens of the kingdom of God. In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus addresses the issue of responding to evil and injustice:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” – Matthew 5:38-42
At first glance, this teaching seems counterintuitive. Why would Jesus tell his followers not to resist evil? A closer look at the context and meaning of this passage sheds light on Jesus’ instruction here:
1. Jesus is contrasting kingdom values with worldly values
The “eye for eye” ethic was established in the Law of Moses (see Exodus 21:24) as a limitation on retaliation, preventing escalation of violence. It was proper justice in its time. However, Jesus calls his disciples to a higher standard than strict justice – to extend mercy, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile.
By instructing his disciples not to violently resist evil, Jesus flips the world’s value system upside down. Worldly kingdoms prize power, dominance, and assertiveness. But citizens of God’s kingdom exhibit sacrifice, service, and love. Jesus calls his followers to a revolutionary way of responding to hostility and injustice.
2. Jesus is speaking about personal retaliation, not self-defense or justice
It’s important to understand the exact situation Jesus is addressing. He refers to being struck on the cheek, sued in court, and forced to carry a load for an occupying Roman soldier. These are examples of personal offense and indignity, not cases of self-defense or fighting injustice on a societal level.
Jesus clearly prohibits personal retaliation and vengeance. However, his teachings elsewhere indicate there are times when self-defense or even violence may be appropriate, for example defending the innocent from harm (Luke 22:35-36). And Scripture affirms the role of civil government to punish evildoers (Romans 13:1-5).
So while followers of Jesus should refrain from retaliation when personally insulted or mistreated, they are not required to passively enable ongoing evil against others.
3. Nonviolent resistance can be a powerful witness
When Jesus says to turn the other cheek, he is advocating creative nonviolent resistance. By turning the cheek, a person in effect dares their aggressor to hit them again, exposing their brutality. Going the extra mile with a Roman soldier inconvenienced and even shamed the soldier.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is laying out a subversive approach to resisting evil: refusing to retaliate with further violence while expressing love for enemies. This active yet nonviolent response exposes and protests injustice without mimicking the evil tactics of the oppressor.
When Christians endure abuse with love while working to restrain evil, they point people to Jesus and the kingdom of God. Their radical response provides a powerful witness to the world.
4. Following Jesus’ words demonstrates trust in God
When Jesus exhorts his followers to turn the other cheek, he is calling them to exhibit humble, sacrificial love that only comes through divine empowerment. Human nature seeks to fight back when insulted or abused. So radically responding with love requires supernatural grace.
By trusting God to defend and vindicate rather than taking matters into their own hands, Jesus’ disciples leave room for divine justice. Their gentle response reflects confidence that God sees and will one day right all wrongs. It is a living testimony to their trust in God’s sovereignty.
5. Loving enemies fulfills the law of God
When concluding his teaching in this passage, Jesus states: “Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:42). Here he moves from non-retaliation to actively loving difficult neighbors.
While the Old Testament allowed hatred of enemies, Jesus calls his followers to an unprecedented level of love – extending generosity even when it’s not deserved. This fulfills the spirit of the commandments to love God and love neighbor (Matthew 22:34-40).
In Romans 12:14-21, the apostle Paul echoes Christ’s upside-down ethic: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil…If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” Rather than seeking vengeance, Christians are called to show extraordinary mercy.
6. Suffering love advances the kingdom of God
When believers follow Jesus’ countercultural words not to resist evil, they often endure suffering as a result. However, Scripture offers many reasons why suffering for doing good is worth it:
- It bears witness to Christ (1 Peter 2:19-21)
- It teaches perseverance and character (Romans 5:3-5)
- It makes us more like Christ (Philippians 3:10)
- It enables us to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1:3-5)
- It produces eternal glory (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pastor who peacefully resisted the Nazi regime, wrote: “When Christ calls a man to follow him, he bids him come and die.” Suffering love unleashes a power that often paves the way for God’s kingdom.
7. Not resisting evil does not mean total pacifism
As explored earlier, Jesus’ instruction not to retaliate against personal insults should not be equated with total pacifism. The same Jesus who told his followers to turn the other cheek also said he came to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34), drove money-changers out of the temple violently (John 2:15), and will return in judgment to defeat evil (Revelation 19:11-16).
While Christians are called to a nonviolent ethic when personally attacked, they are not forbidden from protecting the innocent, restraining systemic injustice, or even waging just war if necessary. Biblical commentator Adam Clarke summarized it well: “Christ’s conduct and his precepts are our best guide. He did not allow himself to be abused, but acted with dignity, spoke boldly against sin, did not threaten, but delivered solemn warnings.”
8. This teaching applies to Christians, not secular governments
Some argue Jesus’ instruction means Christians should never be part of the police, military, or any profession authorized to use force. However, this is not the case. Jesus was speaking to personal ethics, not national policy. Governments have a mandate to restrain evil through force if necessary (Romans 13:1-7).
Dietrich Bonhoeffer argued this principle convincingly as a Christian limited pacifist. He actively resisted the Nazi regime, including a plot to assassinate Hitler, while also writing in Ethics: “The followers of Jesus have been called to peace…And to that end they renounce all violence and tumult…[but] they are not given over to these irresponsibly.”
So while Christians refrain from personal retaliation, they may still work in law enforcement, the military, politics, or any field advancing social good. Each believer must be guided by conscience – but unconditional pacifism is not necessarily mandated by Scripture.
9. Christians look forward to the day when peace will reign
The Bible teaches that one day Christ will return to abolish all evil, injustice, and sin from the world. The prophetic passages in Isaiah 2:1-4 and Micah 4:1-5 offer a beautiful picture of the peace, justice, and disarmament that will characterize God’s future kingdom.
While Jesus’ words against retaliation apply now in the present age, there is coming a day when swords will be beaten into plowshares. Christians rest in the hope that God will eventually make all wrongs right.
So this teaching is not a permanent ethic for all people in all times, but a command for followers of Jesus living in a fallen world awaiting the fullness of redemption.
10. Jesus led by example in suffering without retaliation
In his arrest, trial and crucifixion, Jesus personified his own teaching by refusing to call upon legions of angels in his defense or retaliate against his persecutors. When reviled, he did not respond; when suffering, he uttered no threats (1 Peter 2:21-23).
In doing so, Jesus modeled both resolute nonviolence toward evildoers and radical trust in God. His example lends credibility to his difficult instruction for Christians to suffer lovingly and leave room for divine justice.
Conclusion
Jesus’ command not to resist an evil person cuts against society’s norms, inviting Christians on a countercultural path. But properly understood and applied, this teaching exhibits great wisdom and nuance, offering a roadmap for Jesus’ followers to subvert injustice through unexpected means.
While misconceptions persist, Jesus does not prohibit all use of force or bind all Christians to absolute pacifism. Rather, he calls individuals to a non-retaliatory ethic in the face of hostility. Christians in turn make space for divine justice, offer a Christlike witness, overcome evil with good, and set their hope on the peace to come.
