I heard a cool cultural view on Matthew 5:38-42 yesterday that I wanted to share with you all. It may take a few posts to work through it all…. but here we go. =)

Here is the verses in question:

 38"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[g] 39But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Turn the other cheek  A Cultural View

For years I have heard this passage used as an Biblical reason not to fight. Churches have said “when some is mean towards you and hits you, don’t defend yourself. Just ‘turn the other cheek’”.  

A new view: notice that Jesus said when someone strikes you on the “RIGHT” cheek. Why did he say that?  Does it matter?[@more@]

YES! For someone to slap you on the right cheek, they have to backslap you (try it). The thing is that backslapping was (and still is) reserved for those people of lower status then the one slapping.

By turning the other cheek, you are telling the person who backslapped you that you are of equal footing with them. (to strike someone on the LEFT cheek, you have to use your fist as in a punch).  

In other words, Jesus is telling folks to shame the person lording over you by informing them that you are of equal status. This verse is NOT about allowing people to walk over you nor is Jesus telling you not to defend yourself.