Logos Bible Study

Matthew 5:38–39

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Retaliation

5:38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’455:39But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer.46 But whoever strikes you on the47 right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

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Footnotes

  1. 45 A quotation from Exod 21:24; Lev 24:20.
  2. 46 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).
  3. 47 Many (B D K L Δ Θ f13 565 579 700 1424 ) have σου (sou) here (“your right cheek”), but many others lack the pronoun (א W f1 33 892 1241 ). The pronoun was probably added by way of clarification. has σου in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

“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.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, don’t resist an evildoer. On the contrary, if anyone slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

NLTNew Living Translation

“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.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.

KJV 1900King James Version

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.