What is the meaning of the phrase, "Turn the Other Cheek"?

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The phrase "Turn the Other Cheek" means to react humbly rather than seek revenge for the act of injury. There seems to be many views regarding the exact meaning of Lord Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:38 which reads as “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Many feel it instructs them to be passive and believes that it is not right for Christians to defend themselves.

The phrase "Turn the Other Cheek" means to react humbly rather than seek revenge for the act of injury. There seems to be many views regarding the exact meaning of Lord Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:38 which reads as “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Many feel it instructs them to be passive and believes that it is not right for Christians to defend themselves.

The phrase "Turn the Other Cheek" means to react humbly rather than seek revenge for the act of injury. There seems to be many views regarding the exact meaning of Lord Jesus’ statement in Matthew 5:38 which reads as “But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.” Many feel it instructs them to be passive and believes that it is not right for Christians to defend themselves. The Quakers believed that no act of violence could be condoned while other Christian faiths seemed to view this philosophy with disdain.

What is the Biblical Context of  "Turn the Other Cheek" ?

It is important to understand the context when Jesus Christ uttered the famous passage. It was known as the “Sermon on the Mount” spoken from the Mount of Beatitudes in Northern Israel. “Ye have heard that it hath been said, “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth”; but I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matthew 5:38:45 RSV) The verse with the   lines "turn the other cheek" signifies the coming of Jesus marked by love, sacrifice and mercy. The essence of the passage is one should be pure from within and out and accommodate sinners rather than resisting them, as a way to redeem the lost world.

Does "Turn the Other Cheek" imply Pacifism?

To “turn the other cheek” does not subscribe to the philosophy of pacifism. It does not mean one should expose himself or others to mortal danger rather it speaks of personal retaliation excluding any criminal acts or military aggression. To “turn the other cheek” means to desist from the common reaction of people to retaliate an insult with another insult. Instead by responding with love to an insult or injury one would be invoking the divine spirit

What is the modern Connotation of  "Turn the Other Cheek" ?

“Turn the Other Cheek” is an adaptation of Jesus’s instruction from the Sermon on the Mount. It means to respond meekly to insult rather than seeking revenge for the inflicted injury. But many feel that it is not always possible to act with humility and passivity to violence and aggression. Instead by retaliating in self-defense would be completely justifiable as one would be also stopping the perpetrator form further acts of aggression. In some situations like an office environment a worker would prefer “to turn the other cheek” when confronted with an unreasonable boss rather than confront him.

How Useful is the idea of  "Turn the Other Cheek" ?

To “turn the other cheek” may be metaphorically used to show the benefits of non-violence. History has numerous evidences of leaders who advocated the path pf non-aggression to achieve goals. Mahatma Gandhi’s Civil disobedience movement could be termed as using the idea of “turn the other cheek” when the resisted the unjust laws by peaceful demonstrations. Similarly Martin Luther King Jr. also advocated the idea of “turn the other cheek” when he fought for the rights of the people.

 

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