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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Matthew 5:38 - 5:42
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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat_5:38-42
38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'39But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you."
Mat_5:38 "an eye for an eye" This is an allusion to Exo_21:24, Lev_24:20, and Deu_19:21. This law, like divorce certificates, was originally intended to deal with a societal problem by attempting to limit personal revenge. It did not allow individuals or families to take revenge, but was a guideline for the court. It was often reduced to monetary equivalents by the Jewish judges. However, the principle of limited personal revenge remains.
Mat_5:39-42 This was a series of five examples of Jesus' new ethics concerning our attitude toward others, both insiders and outsiders. These are historically conditioned examples. They advocate an attitude, not a hard and fast rule for every society or age. It is the spirit of the believing offended party which should issue in positive actions of love. This should not be interpreted as covering inappropriate or repeated requests from tricky or lazy people.
Mat_5:39 "an evil person" This could, in context, refer to the first century legal system in the sense that it is better to endure additional insults than take a covenant brother to an unbelieving judge. If " evil" relates to Mat_5:37, it could refer to the Evil One. The Charles B. Williams Translation, The New Testament in the Language of the People, gives a third option, "the one who injures you."
Mat_5:40 "shirt. . .coat" The first item of clothing refers to an under garment and the second to an outer garment. This is a hyperbolic statement. Jesus is not advocating nudity! This is an allusion to Exo_22:26-27; Deu_24:10-13. The central truth of this entire section is that Christians should go beyond what others expect of them. The purpose is to encourage unbelievers to be attracted to God by His people's actions (cf. Mat_5:16; 1Pe_2:12).
Mat_5:41 This is historically conditioned to a time when one nation militarily occupied another. The word "force" was of Persian derivation, originally referring to a postal carrier. It came to be the term used for forced labor of any kind by an occupying military or civil government. An example of this is Mat_27:32. Christians are to go beyond even what is demanded or expected.
Mat_5:42 This was not meant to be taken as a hard and fast rule about lending, but an attitude of love and openness toward others, especially the poor, needy, and outcast (cf. Exo_22:25; Deu_15:7-11; Pro_19:17).