What Does it Mean to “Turn the Other Cheek”?

Wrestling with one of Jesus’ most famous teachings

A man holds his right cheek in pain — image generated via MidJourney

In Matthew’s account of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, we find one of Jesus’ most memorable and provocative teachings, which is…

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

(Matthew 5:38–39, KJV)

I encourage you to read the entire passage for the full context, but these two verses give us the gist.

Jesus is laying out a standard that supersedes the retaliation statutes found in the Law of Moses:

• But if any mischief follow, 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 KJV)
• 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 KJV)
• And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot…