2006-08-17 16:12:15 · 21 answers · asked by diane R 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Mainly we tend to interpret this passage as one of advocating passive resistance, and perhaps this is what Jesus had in mind.
However, I will give you two other approaches that other thinkers have produced:
1. In Roman culture, hitting someone with the backside of your hand was a sign of disrespect. Striking them with your open palm implied that you were confronting/challenging an equal.
When Jesus said "turn the other cheek," he didn't mean it the way we usually take it, which is "keep getting hit and be quiet about it." Remember that Jesus was killed for being a political subversive. Rome didn't care one whit about Jewish interpretations of Torah.
Jesus was suggesting that people claim at least equality with their oppressors. If someone hits you with the back of their hand and you turn your cheek, your face is facing their palm. It is a symbol of defiance, not humble servitude. It is saying "you may have more centurians right now, but we are people too, not just materiel for your profit."
2. "Why the right cheek? How does one strike another on the right cheek anyway? Try it. A blow by the right fist in that right-handed world would land on the left cheek of the opponent. To strike the right cheek with the fist would require using the left hand, but in that society the left hand was used only for unclean tasks. As the Dead Sea Scrolls specify, even to gesture with the left hand at Qumran carried the penalty of ten days penance. The only way one could strike the right cheek with the right hand would be with the back of the hand."
2006-08-17 16:55:41 · answer #1 · answered by Ponderingwisdom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
fred
You can explain, and say the people that cry and turn the other cheek are just the old fashion. That's my desire, to be able to turn the other cheek or go the second mile, to be able to forgive when the odds is all against you, hold nothing against anybody, though they're mistreating you rightfully--or wrongfully for your right doing, but still love them. You be sure that you can turn the other cheek, that it is Christ is all in all to you. May each one of them receive the baptism of the love of God in their hearts, that they could turn the other cheek, go the second mile. No matter if they pull a handful of beard from one side, you could turn the other cheek with sweetness, until those virtues, no matter what they say to you...But that's the man that's reflecting Christ in his life, a man who is humble. A man who will walk with God will act like Jesus.
2006-08-17 18:03:05 · answer #2 · answered by freddie g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mentioned about "turning the other cheek." This is a statement of Jesus that is often misunderstood. Jesus is using hyperbole to instruct us to avoid the desire to get back at other people. Jesus is not saying that we should let other people take advantage of us. We are stewards of our body and life and the same commandment that warns us not to hurt or murder others also applies us. We are to care for our body and life even as we care for the body and life of others.
2006-08-17 16:33:07 · answer #3 · answered by The Reverend 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, what the others have said is right. The reason is that when we are vengeful, it just starts a back and forth of wrongs to one another. When we forgive, or turn the other cheek, it sends a statement to the one who harmed us.
It also says something like -showing kindness to our enemy heaps coals on their heads, meaning, it burns them up more for us to return their wrong with a kindness. They expect us to retaliate. Some even hunger for it.
2006-08-17 16:22:02 · answer #4 · answered by gracefully_saved 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 5:39 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. This is real hard to understand. If somebody hits you on the right cheek turn the left cheek.
2006-08-17 16:22:06 · answer #5 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I heard a different interpretation. You turn the other cheek in defiance of the slap, as if to say, 'That didn't hurt me, YOU can't hurt me. I am empowered by the Lord God Most High. You? Your days are numbered."
2006-08-17 16:22:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps the other cheek to turn is the one behind you, when you "from such turn away", as noted in 2Timothy 3:5
2006-08-17 16:21:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what I think he actually said was if someone slaps you turn to him your other cheek and let them do the same. Meaning just because someone does something to hurt you doesnt mean you should do somethng to hurt that person.
2006-08-17 16:18:48 · answer #8 · answered by raechelblueeyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
John 10 isn't a prayer. No offense, yet how ought to a verse the place Jesus very almost gets stoned for claiming to be God help their declare that Jesus did no longer declare to be God? have you ever examine the whole financial disaster? do you like me to repeat and paste it for you?
2016-10-02 05:40:22 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When someone offends you give them the other "cheek" to offend as well. Let them do their worst, it is their issue to work out with Him and a chance for you to let Him shine through your behavior.
2006-08-17 16:18:59 · answer #10 · answered by gymfreak 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋