Turn the other Cheek?
Q: Help me understand Jesus teachings that if someone slaps you on one cheek, turn your other cheek.
I mean if someone is beating me up do I just let them beat on me until their done and me just walking away like nothing happened, or do I have the right to fight back and defend myself in God's eye.
I really do need to start going to Bible study to understand more what Jesus was talking about in his teachings, but can you help me here?
A: Great question — and one many people wrestle with.
When Jesus said in Matthew 5:39, “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other also,” He wasn’t teaching that we must stand there and be beaten, to allow ourselves to be abused or passively accept violence. He was teaching something far more profound — don’t return insult for insult, evil for evil, or violence for prideful revenge. He was addressing personal retaliation and revenge.
In the cultural and historical context of that time, a slap on the cheek — especially with the back of the hand — was an insult, not a life-threatening attack. It was a way to shame or dishonor someone. It was a public way to shame someone — especially a subordinate — like how a master might slap a slave. By turning the other cheek, you weren’t submitting passively — you were forcing your aggressor to acknowledge your dignity, because the second strike would have to be with the open hand, which symbolized treating someone as an equal. In this sense, Jesus was teaching a form of peaceful resistance that exposes injustice without becoming unjust yourself.
By turning the other cheek, Jesus was teaching a radical kind of dignity: refusing to retaliate in kind, but also not cowering in humiliation. It’s not weakness — it’s strength under control. It’s a call to rise above personal vengeance and demonstrate a character shaped by love, not bitterness.
Jesus was speaking to people under Roman occupation who were often oppressed. His message wasn't about endorsing victimhood — it was about a godly response.
But let’s be clear: This is not a command to submit to abuse or violence that threatens your life or others’ lives. The Bible supports defending the innocent, seeking justice, and using wisdom:
Ecclesiastes 3:3 says there's “a time to kill and a time to heal... a time for war and a time for peace.”
Luke 22:36 – Jesus told His disciples, “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” That doesn’t mean go looking for a fight, but it does show He understood the need for self-defense in a dangerous world.
Romans 13:4 affirms that civil authorities don’t bear the sword for nothing — they are God’s servants to uphold justice.
So this doesn’t mean Jesus was telling us to allow ourselves to be harmed or abused. Nowhere does Scripture teach that you must endure physical abuse or remain defenseless. That kind of thinking has sadly been misused, even by some church groups, to silence or endanger victims — especially women and children. But Jesus never called us to tolerate evil or abdicate justice, especially when it comes to protecting the vulnerable. In fact, allowing violence to flourish unchecked can be a failure to love those who need protection.
Also, in John 18:23, when Jesus was struck by a guard, He didn’t turn His face for another blow — He spoke up and challenged the injustice, saying, “If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
In Luke 22:36, Jesus told His disciples, “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” This wasn’t a call to arms, but a recognition that living in a fallen world sometimes requires self-protection.
In Luke 3:14, when soldiers asked John the Baptist what repentance looked like, he didn’t tell them to leave the military — he told them not to abuse power or extort. That’s key: serving in a protective or defensive role isn’t sin, as long as you act justly.
And Romans 13:4 says that governing authorities “do not bear the sword in vain,” but are God’s servants to uphold justice.
So what does it mean for us today?
If someone insults you or tries to provoke you with prideful aggression, don’t escalate the evil. Don’t respond with rage, vengeance, or ego. That’s the heart of what Jesus taught: master yourself and trust God for justice.
But if your life or someone else’s is in real danger, you are not sinning by defending yourself. The difference lies in your heart and your motivation. Defense is not the same as revenge. Jesus calls us to act from love and justice — not from hatred or personal vengeance.
Matthew 5:9 says: “Blessed are the peacemakers,” not the passive or the vengeful. Being a peacemaker takes strength, self-control, and a clear sense of justice — not cowardice.
So no — Jesus was not telling you to let someone beat you to a pulp. He was teaching you not to become like the wicked in how you respond to insult or mistreatment. He was forming people who would be strong, courageous, peace-driven — and anchored in trust that God sees and repays every injustice.
It’s okay to defend yourself. But don’t defend out of bitterness — defend from a place of love, truth, and righteous protection.
Don’t retaliate out of pride, ego, or vengeance. Let go of the need to “get even.” (Romans 12:17–21)
Do stand up for what’s right and protect the innocent. God does not call us to be doormats or allow evil to flourish unchecked.
Trust God for ultimate justice. As Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” and Romans 12:19: "Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,' says the Lord."
Jesus was not calling us to be helpless — He was calling us to be holy.
In short: No, Jesus was not telling you to let someone beat you to a pulp while doing nothing. But He was telling us not to mirror the evil in the world by reacting with hatred, vengeance, or personal retaliation. Defense? Yes. Revenge? No.
And you’re absolutely right — going to Bible study, digging into the historical context, and praying for discernment will help you understand these things even better. God is just, and He calls His people to walk in both truth and love.
God bless
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Footnote:
This is why groups like menonites, anabaptists (and those like them) should be avoided due to erroneous understanding of Scripture on the topic of self defense, military and Govt service & participation, even in voting. USA was founded on Christianity and our laws were based on biblical principles, including our military, borders, and siverign rule as a Republic; one nation under God [YHWH]. Its ludicrous to think otherwise.
Jesus never advocated for letting other nations come in and destroy us, nor let someone harm you. He never suggested we shouldn't be good and moral citizens in our nation, while on earth. Their false teachings are due to Manhood long ago who created denominations [in a already very peaceful moral country]. So those denominations shouldn't exist, as they create perpetual victims (especially of their women and children). God would not be happy with the bad leadership in the church and homes of men in them who allow women to be abused, kidnapped, raped or murdered. It's dereliction of a mans basic duty!
