Matthew 5:39

Read it in 5 translations

KJV King James Version

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.

BSB Berean Standard Bible

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

WEB World English Bible

But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

ASV American Standard Version

but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

YLT Young’s Literal Translation

but I—I say to you, not to resist the evil, but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;

Surrounding context — Matthew 5

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 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.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

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These Hebrew/Greek tokens are linked by Strong's number. Click one for its lexicon definition and other occurrences.

Cross-references

1 Thessalonians 5:15See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].1 Peter 3:9Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.Romans 12:17-19Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.Proverbs 20:22Say not thou, I will recompense evil; [but] wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.Luke 6:29-30And unto him that smiteth thee on the [one] cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not [to take thy] coat also.1 Peter 2:20-23For what glory [is it], if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer [for it], ye take it patiently, this [is] acceptable with God.Lamentations 3:30He giveth [his] cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.Leviticus 19:18Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.Proverbs 24:29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.1 Corinthians 6:7Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather [suffer yourselves to] be defrauded?1 Samuel 26:8-10Then said Abishai to David, God hath delivered thine enemy into thine hand this day: now therefore let me smite him, I pray thee, with the spear even to the earth at once, and I will not [smite] him the second time.1 Samuel 24:10-15Behold, this day thine eyes have seen how that the LORD had delivered thee to day into mine hand in the cave: and [some] bade [me] kill thee: but [mine eye] spared thee; and I said, I will not put forth mine hand against my lord; for he [is] the LORD’S anointed.Job 31:29-31If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:Job 16:10They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me.James 5:6Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.Luke 22:64And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?Hebrews 12:4Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

HISTORICAL INTERPRETATION

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