John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 5:39 - 5:39

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John Bengel Commentary - Matthew 5:39 - 5:39


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Mat 5:39. Μὴ ἀντιστῆναι, not to resist) The infinitive is governed by λέγω, I say, as in Rev 13:14. To resist evil is to return injury for injury.-ἀλλʼ, but) Our Lord gives examples of private, legal, and political wrong, Mat 5:39-41.-ῥαπίσει, shall smite) elsewhere ῥαπίζειν is to strike with rods, but in this passage as the cheek is mentioned, it means to smite with the open hand.-τὴν δεξιάν σου σιαγόνα, the right cheek) or the left either. See Luk 6:29. An instance of Synedoche.[223]-στρέψον, turn) It is sometimes advisable to do so literally.[224] The world says, on the other hand, Assert thy courage by a duel. Those who are able ought ere this to have made a stand against this evil, this disgrace of the Christian name, and to have given all diligence that they might do so effectually. One man who becomes a murderer by a duel involves a whole camp in his guilt. Many, so far dilute and extenuate the lessons here given by the Saviour, that they slide down to a level with the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, or even below it.

[223] See Explanation of Technical Terms in Appendix.-(I. B.)

[224] Spiritual prudence will teach the children of GOD, when they ought to do so. The words of Christ are not words belonging to the mere human and natural life, but to the eternal life. What seems folly to the world, appears in a quite different light in the eternal Life.-Vers. Germ.