Matthew 5:39

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, Μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ: ἀλλʼ ὅστις σε ῥαπίσει ἐπί τὴν δεξιάν σου σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην.

Transliteration

Egō de legō to-you, Not antistēnai to-the ponērō: but hostis you rapisei upon the dexian of-you siagona, strepson to-him also the allēn.

Grammar Details

• *Egō*: nominative personal pronoun - I
• *de*: postpositive conjunction - but/and
• *legō*: present active indicative, 1st person singular - I say/tell
• *antistēnai*: aorist active infinitive - to resist/oppose
• *ponērō*: dative masculine singular - to evil/evil person
• *hostis*: indefinite relative pronoun - whoever
• *rapisei*: future active indicative, 3rd person singular - will slap/strike
• *dexian*: accusative feminine singular - right
• *siagona*: accusative feminine singular - cheek
• *strepson*: aorist active imperative, 2nd person singular - turn!
• *allēn*: accusative feminine singular - other/another

Word Meanings

• *Egō*: I/myself
• *legō*: say/tell/speak
• *antistēnai*: to resist/oppose/stand against
• *ponērō*: evil person/evil one/evil (could be person or abstract)
• *hostis*: whoever/anyone who
• *rapisei*: will slap/strike/hit
• *dexian*: right/right-hand
• *siagona*: cheek/jawbone
• *strepson*: turn/twist/direct
• *allēn*: other/another/different

Referenced Verses

• 1 Cor 6:7 : 7 The fact that you have lawsuits among yourselves demonstrates that you have already been defeated. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?
• Prov 24:29 : 29 Do not say,“I will do to him just as he has done to me; I will pay him back according to what he has done.”
• Isa 50:6 : 6 I offered my back to those who attacked, my jaws to those who tore out my beard; I did not hide my face from insults and spitting.
• Lam 3:30 : 30 Let him offer his cheek to the one who hits him; let him have his fill of insults.
• Lev 19:18 : 18 You must not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the children of your people, but you must love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
• 1 Sam 26:8-9 : 8 Abishai said to David,“Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me drive the spear right through him into the ground with one swift jab! A second jab won’t be necessary!” 9 But David said to Abishai,“Don’t kill him! Who can extend his hand against the LORD’s chosen one and remain guiltless?” 10 David went on to say,“As the LORD lives, the LORD himself will strike him down. Either his day will come and he will die, or he will go down into battle and be swept away.
• 1 Pet 3:9 : 9 Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
• 1 Kgs 22:24 : 24 Zedekiah son of Kenaanah approached, hit Micaiah on the jaw, and said,“Which way did the LORD’s spirit go when he went from me to speak to you?”
• 1 Sam 24:10-15 : 10 Today your own eyes see how the LORD delivered you– this very day– into my hands in the cave. Some told me to kill you, but I had pity on you and said,‘I will not extend my hand against my lord, for he is the LORD’s chosen one.’ 11 Look, my father, and see the edge of your robe in my hand! When I cut off the edge of your robe, I didn’t kill you. So realize and understand that I am not planning evil or rebellion. Even though I have not sinned against you, you are waiting in ambush to take my life. 12 May the LORD judge between the two of us, and may the LORD vindicate me over you, but my hand will not be against you. 13 It’s like the old proverb says:‘From evil people evil proceeds.’ But my hand will not be against you. 14 Who has the king of Israel come out after? Who is it that you are pursuing? A dead dog? A single flea? 15 May the LORD be our judge and arbiter. May he see and arbitrate my case and deliver me from your hands!”
• 1 Sam 25:31-34 : 31 Your conscience will not be overwhelmed with guilt for having poured out innocent blood and for having taken matters into your own hands. When the LORD has granted my lord success, please remember your servant.” 32 Then David said to Abigail,“Praised be the LORD, the God of Israel, who has sent you this day to meet me! 33 Praised be your good judgment! May you yourself be rewarded for having prevented me this day from shedding blood and taking matters into my own hands! 34 Otherwise, as surely as the LORD, the God of Israel, lives– he who has prevented me from harming you– if you had not come so quickly to meet me, by morning’s light not even one male belonging to Nabal would have remained alive!”
• 1 Thess 5:15 : 15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.
• Jas 5:6 : 6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person, although he does not resist you.
• 1 Pet 2:20-23 : 20 For what credit is it if you sin and are mistreated and endure it? But if you do good and suffer and so endure, this finds favor with God. 21 For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was maligned, he did not answer back; when he suffered, he threatened no retaliation, but committed himself to God who judges justly.
• Job 31:29-31 : 29 If I have rejoiced over the misfortune of my enemy or exulted because calamity found him– 30 I have not even permitted my mouth to sin by asking for his life through a curse– 31 if the members of my household have never said,‘If only there were someone who has not been satisfied from Job’s meat!’–
• Prov 20:22 : 22 Do not say,“I will pay back evil!” Wait for the LORD, so that he may vindicate you.
• Luke 6:29-30 : 29 To the person who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other as well, and from the person who takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your possessions back from the person who takes them away.
• Luke 22:64 : 64 They blindfolded him and asked him repeatedly,“Prophesy! Who hit you?”
• Rom 12:17-19 : 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. 19 Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written,“Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
• Heb 12:4 : 4 You have not yet resisted to the point of bloodshed in your struggle against sin.
• Job 16:10 : 10 People have opened their mouths against me, they have struck my cheek in scorn; they unite together against me.
• Mic 5:1 : 1 (4:14) But now slash yourself, daughter surrounded by soldiers! We are besieged! With a scepter they strike Israel’s ruler on the side of his face.