What does it mean to “turn the other cheek”?
The Devotional Answer
The command to "turn the other cheek" is the ultimate expression of Christ-like humility and non-retaliation. Devotionally, it means surrendering your personal right to vengeance and honor to God.
When you turn the other cheek, you are saying, "My worth is not determined by your ability to insult or injure me; my worth is in Christ."
This act releases you from the painful burden of bitterness and places the responsibility for justice squarely into God's hands. It is an act of powerful meekness that reflects the example of Jesus, who silently endured violence without striking back.
The Simple Answer
The phrase "turn the other cheek" comes from Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount.
"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." — Matthew 5:39 (ESV)
It does not mean passively allowing all violence or abuse. Instead, it is a command for non-retaliation against personal insults and injuries. In the cultural context of Jesus' day, a slap on the right cheek was typically done with the back of the hand, which was the ultimate personal insult, used to assert dominance over a perceived inferior.
By turning the other cheek, you were forcing the person to either stop or hit you on the left cheek (which would require an open-hand blow, usually reserved for equals), effectively breaking the cycle of insult and asserting your equal human dignity in a non-violent, confronting way.
The Deeper Dive
Jesus gave several examples of radical non-retaliation in Matthew 5:38-42, and the key theme is the rejection of the lex talionis (eye for an eye) in favor of the way of the cross.
1. Rejecting Retaliation
The command directly opposes the natural human impulse to take revenge. Jesus is teaching that the way of the Kingdom is to deliberately absorb the insult or minor injury rather than escalating the conflict.
This act of self-control is powerful because it stops the perpetrator from achieving their goal: your degradation and retaliation.
2. The Power of Non-Violent Protest
Theologians note that the historical context shows this is not a command for utter passivity against systemic violence, but a way for the powerless to protest with dignity. In all three of Jesus’ examples in this passage (the slap, the lawsuit, the forced mile), the commanded action:
Asserts Equality: It disrupts the power dynamic that the oppressor is trying to enforce.
Shames the Oppressor: It forces the perpetrator to look at what they are doing and often causes them to feel shame because they cannot provoke a fight.
Gives Away Rights: It models Christ’s willingness to surrender His own rights for a greater cause.
3. It Requires God’s Love
This kind of radical response is impossible without the Holy Spirit's help. It flows directly from the command to love your enemies (Question 37). Only when you are secure in God's love can you afford to let go of your need for personal validation and defense.
God’s Assurance
God assures you that by surrendering your right to revenge, you trust in His perfect system of justice.
"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, when you are insulted, repay with a blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." — 1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
You are assured that the blessing that comes from submitting to God’s way far outweighs the satisfaction you might get from personal retaliation.
Your Takeaway Thought
The next time you are personally insulted, challenged, or treated unjustly, pause before you react. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the courage to choose non-retaliation. By "turning the other cheek," you are not surrendering to evil; you are actually making a radical, Christian statement of strength, dignity, and faith that breaks the cycle of anger and imitation.
