SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:39
Mas yo os digo: No resistis con mal; antes a cualquiera que te hiriere en tu mejilla diestra, vulvele tambin la otra;
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:39
Verse 39. Resist not evil] Or, the evil person. So, I am fully persuaded, tw ponhrw ought to be translated. Our Lord's meaning is, "Do not repel one outrage by another." He that does so makes himself precisely what the other is, a wicked person. Turn to him the other also] That is, rather than avenge thyself, be ready to suffer patiently a repetition of the same injury. But these exhortations belong to those principally who are persecuted for righteousness' sake. Let such leave the judgment of their cause to Him for whose sake they suffer.
The Jews always thought that every outrage should be resented; and thus the spirit of hatred and strife was fostered.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 39. But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil , etc.] This is not to be understood of any sort of evil, not of the evil of sin, of bad actions, and false doctrines, which are to be opposed; nor of the evil one, Satan, who is to be resisted; but of an evil man, an injurious one, who has done us an injury. We must not render evil for evil, or repay him in the same way; (see James 5:6). Not but that a man may lawfully defend himself, and endeavour to secure himself from injuries; and may appear to the civil magistrate for redress of grievances; but he is not to make use of private revenge. As if a man should pluck out one of his eyes, he must not in revenge pluck out one of his; or should he strike out one of his teeth, he must not use him in the same manner; but patiently bear the affront, or seek for satisfaction in another way. But whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also : which is to be understood comparatively, rather than seek revenge, and is directly contrary to the Jewish canons, which require, in such a case, a pecuniary fine f345 . He that strikes his neighbour (which Maimonides explains, he that strikes his neighbour with his hand shut, about the neck) he shall give him a sela, or shekel: R. Judah says, in the name of R. Jose the Galilean, one pound: if he smite him (i.e. as Maimonides says, if he smite him with his double fist upon the face; or, as Bartenora, with the palm of his hand, yyjl , on the cheek, which is a greater reproach) he shall give him two hundred zuzim; and if he does it with the back of his hand, four hundred zuzim.
R. Isaac Sangari manifestly refers to this passage of Christs, when he says to the king he is conversing with, I perceive that thou up braidest us with poverty and want; but in them the great men of other nations glory: for they do not glory but in him, who said, Whosoever smiteth thee thy right cheek, turn to him the left; and whosoever taketh away thy coat, give him thy cloak.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 38-42 - The plain instruction is, Suffer any injury that can be borne, for the sake of peace, committing your concerns to the Lord's keeping. And the sum of all is, that Christians must avoid disputing and striving. I any say, Flesh and blood cannot pass by such an affront, let the remember, that flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God and those who act upon right principles will have most peace an comfort.
Greek Textus Receptus
εγω 1473 P-1NS δε 1161 CONJ λεγω 3004 5719 V-PAI-1S υμιν 5213 P-2DP μη 3361 PRT-N αντιστηναι 436 5629 V-2AAN τω 3588 T-DSM πονηρω 4190 A-DSM αλλ 235 CONJ οστις 3748 R-NSM σε 4571 P-2AS ραπισει 4474 5692 V-FAI-3S επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF δεξιαν 1188 A-ASF σου 4675 P-2GS σιαγονα 4600 N-ASF στρεψον 4762 5657 V-AAM-2S αυτω 846 P-DSM και 2532 CONJ την 3588 T-ASF αλλην 243 A-ASF
Robertson's NT Word Studies
5:39 {Resist not him that is evil} (me antistenai twi ponerwi). Here again it is the infinitive (second aorist active) in indirect command. But is it "the evil man" or the "evil deed"? The dative case is the same form for masculine and neuter. Weymouth puts it "not to resist a (the) wicked man," Moffatt "not to resist an injury," Goodspeed "not to resist injury." The examples will go with either view. Jesus protested when smitten on the cheek (#Joh 18:22). And Jesus denounced the Pharisees (#Mt 23) and fought the devil always. The language of Jesus is bold and picturesque and is not to be pressed too literally. Paradoxes startle and make us think. We are expected to fill in the other side of the picture. One thing certainly is meant by Jesus and that is that personal revenge is taken out of our hands, and that applies to "lynch-law." Aggressive or offensive war by nations is also condemned, but not necessarily defensive war or defence against robbery and murder. Professional pacifism may be mere cowardice.
