Turning the Other Cheek

About this episode

Alan Conner discusses the biblical concept of 'Turning the Other Cheek' as presented in Matthew 5:38-42.

Northwest Bible Church - Feb. 8, 2026 - Matthew - Alan Conner Matthew. 5:38-42 Turning the Other Cheek Intro A. THE O.T. law of Lex Talionis (Matthew 5:38). 1. Jesus quotes from Exodus. 21:22-25; Leviticus. 24:19-20; Deuteronomy. 19:15-21. 2. The Lex Talionis laws were to be applied by the court’s judicial system. 3. The punishment must be just and fair. 4. The O.T. taught against personal revenge. Leviticus. 19:18; Proverbs. 24:29; 20:22; 25:21. B. THE RABBINIC DISTORTION. 1. Personal revenge rather than punishment by the courts. 2. Retaliation was assumed to be a personal right or duty. C. CHRIST’S CORRECTION (Matthew 5:39-42). “But I say to you” (Matthew 5:39). 1. PRINCIPLE: “Do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:39). a. What it does not mean: (1) can’t rebuke one for sin (Galatians. 2:11). (2) no self-defense (Exodus. 21). (3) no stand against evil. b. What does Jesus mean? No revenge on a personal level. 2. EXAMPLES: Do not resist a slap on the cheek, but turn the other (Matthew 5:39b). a. Christ’s example during His trial. Isaiah. 50:6 b. Don’t seek revenge when persecuted. Jam. 5:6; Hebrews. 10:34 c. Return good for evil. Romans. 12:17-21. d. Love does not take revenge…

People in this episode

Host: Matthew

Topics covered

• Turning the Other Cheek
• Lex Talionis
• Personal Revenge
• Christ's Correction

Keywords

• Matthew
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Proverbs

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Turning the Other Cheek, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, O.T., Proverbs, Galatians, Romans

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