Matthew 5:39

tn The articular πονηρός (ponēros, “the evildoer”) cannot be translated simply as “evil” for then the command would be “do not resist evil.” Every instance of this construction in Matthew is most likely personified, referring either to an evildoer (13:49) or, more often, “the evil one” (as in 5:37; 6:13; 13:19, 38).

tc ‡ Many mss (B D K L Δ Θ f13 565 579 700 1424 pm) have σου (sou) here (“your right cheek”), but many others lack the pronoun (א W f1 33 892 1241 pm). The pronoun was probably added by way of clarification. NA27 has σου in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.