Question: "What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to turn the other cheek?"

Answer: The entire section of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in which this verse is found can be understood as one where Jesus actually serves to elevate the importance of following Israel's moral law beyond the letter to the spirit of the law. Much of the material therein complements the nature of His coming characterized by mercy, sacrificial love, and longsuffering toward sinners while at the same time affirming the "last is first" principle upon which the kingdom of God is based. For instance, we are told to go the extra mile for someone who abuses us, and to pray for enemies instead of resisting them. All of this can be generally summarized by saying we need to be pure inside and out and should be as accommodating as possible for the sake of a lost world.

To "turn the other cheek," does not imply pacifism, nor does it mean we place ourselves or others in mortal danger. Like the principle of the eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth in verse 38, turning the other cheek refers to personal retaliation, not criminal offenses or acts of military aggression. Clearly Jesus did not mean to negate all God’s laws and injunctions protecting us against violent crime or invading armies. Rather, Jesus is speaking here of the principle of non-retaliation to affronts against our own dignity, as well as lawsuits to gain one’s personal assets (v. 40), infringements on one’s liberty (v. 41), and violations of property rights (v. 42). He was calling for a full surrender of all personal rights.

Turning the other cheek means not to return insult for insult in retaliation, which is what most people expect and how worldly people act. Responding to hatred with love just might grab someone's attention and afford us a chance to share the gospel. When we respond in a manner that is unnatural, it displays the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus was the perfect example because He was silent before His accusers and did not call down revenge from heaven on those who crucified Him.



Thoughts????

Whenever I get hurt by ppl, physically or emotionally, I think of this scripture, and it makes me feel like whatever happens is not really so bad. I think this is a lot of what turning the other cheek really means, at least to me. It gets rid of the desire for revenge to a great amount for me.


7 My son, a peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.
9 Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.
10 Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job.

I agree that he meant for us not to retaliate. He wants us to take the higher road. If you respond to anger or a wrong done against you in the same manner as it was done to you, the cycle continues to spiral. By looking beyond the wrong and trying to put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand what brought their behavior to this point, we can stop the cycle and sometimes even reverse it

I feel like the "eye for eye" thing was instituted in the old testament so revenge could be had without the spiraling of a fued between ppl where you got me so I'll get you worse and so on for years. Perhaps Christ knew that that system needed to end, and hoped that civilization had advanced to the point that a higher standard could be lived. I fear he is disappointed in us.

me especially

turn the other cheek.
Most direct meening

If someone hits you upside the face, just turn him the other cheek. As in not to hit him back.

Or less of a direct translation

Someone steals your couch, let him take the rest if he wishes
Goes along with being humble. No defendning yourself basically. Being the bigger person and showing love and not hatred.