A Real Slap in the Face

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ³⁹ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.  Matt 5

In this passage is Jesus commanding that we become human punching bags? As was the case last week we have run into a section in the Sermon on the Mount that can be hard to understand without some insight into the culture and background of the passage. 

Let’s gain some insight by answering two questions: 1. What does “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” mean?  2. What does it mean to turn the other cheek?

1. “An eye for an eye”. When Jesus says “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’” He is quoting Exodus 21:24 verbatim. This was the law of Israel as intended by God. The intent of the law was to make the punishment fit the crime. In context of 2013 America, we would say that it was to make sure that murderers do not get off with what amounts to be a slap on the wrist. However, in the ancient world it was the other extreme. It was to keep someone from getting the death penalty for stealing a fig.  The law was there so justice was done, but done fairly. However, in the time of Jesus’s earthly ministry the people were abusing this. They were using the command as license to go “tit for tat” with someone. “Okay you slapped me; I have to slap you back.”

2. Turn the other cheek.  A “slap on the cheek” was basically an insult, as we might say today “that was a real slap in the face.” Although, back then someone may have given another person a brisk slap on the cheek to insult them, Jesus is not saying to let people wail on you physically. The heart of His instruction is, if someone insults you; do not go back at them. In fact, let them keep talking if they want.  When we are hurt and our pride takes a hit, we often want to settle the score and return the insult. Jesus says don’t take the bait. He actually instructs us to do the opposite, He instructs us to bless our enemies.

In summary what Jesus is saying here is, when people insult you, resist the temptation to go back at them and settle the score. And if they want to keep at it, let them. Unfortunately, you can be sure that people will test you in this area. Somebody will insult you. It will happen either to your face or behind back. Resist the temptation to go back at them and settle the score. You can trust that God is big enough to take care of your reputation.