What is the point being made in "turn the other cheek"?

Answer 1

In order to fully understand what this meant you must apply it to the laws, customs and standards of the time.

During the time Jesus was alive there was a strict social-hierarchy. There were a number of practices which combined not only religion but cultural standards as well.
One of them was largely influenced by the Muslim population where you were not allowed to touch another person with your left hand.
The reason for this being that historically, it was ceremonially and spiritually unclean as it was the hand one used to wash the privates. Do some research and you will find that as ridiculous as it sounds it has a basis in fact.
According to the standards of the time when one admonished a person of a lower rank in the social hierarchy one did so by delivering a backhanded slap- to put them in their place so to speak. When one engaged in a dispute with an equal in the social hierarchy one delivered the standard forward-hand right punch.
When Jesus made this suggestion he was, according to nearly every account- Biblical or otherwise, speaking to slaves, the poor, etc.
What Jesus was likely saying was to turn your head where the offending party would be, for lack of a better term; between a rock and a hard place. When one's head is turned in this situation the person admonishing you is unable to deliver another backhanded slap without using the other hand. The position being however, that he is unable to. This would violate their cannon of ethics in a sense.
His only option at this point is to acknowledge you as an equal, which he probably is not about to do because he would lose face in the eyes of his peers.
Here, Jesus offers a nonviolent method to stand up to someone without violating the laws and standards of the time.

One of the other respondents made a reference to the other part of the scripture where one is conscripted to "go a mile".

During the time Jesus was alive, this area of the world was occupied by the Roman empire. It is a well-documented fact of history that the Romans marked their roads every mile for practical reasons too numerous to mention.
A less documented fact, but recorded nonetheless is that it was a practice of the Roman army to conscript civilians to share the burden of transporting military equipment. If a Roman soldier gave you his pack to carry you were expected to comply- after all, it was the least you could do for Rome's protection and a soldier's baggage could be heavy.
However, Rome, through past experience with conquering other countries understood that they could not abuse the populace. As powerful as Rome was they could ill afford to be confronted with constant riots as a result of abusing the commoners of every occupied country- the were at that time expanding and their armies were far to busy conquering other countries to be able to manage both.
It was therefore a law that while a Roman soldier could make you carry his pack he was limited to one mile. Any more and the soldier would be punished.
What Jesus suggested was to put the soldier in the same place as the person admonishing you- between a rock and a hard place.
The Jews did not want Rome's protection, they wanted them gone but were in no position to make them leave. Jesus could hardly advocate violence so he found a creative, nonviolent means with which to stand up to them.

The third part involves one's clothing: When someone sues you for your cloak, offer him your shirt as well. Even today, there are two layers of clothing in that area of the world: An overcoat and an undershirt.

According to the primary religion of the area, (Islam) to be naked is to be ashamed. There is an exception to the rule however: if it was someone else who caused you to be naked, the shame was theirs to share.
Remember that Jesus was speaking to those on the lower rungs of the ladder- those who only had the clothes on their back. The only way to fight back at an unjust creditor who is in a superior position in the social hierarchy without violating the law is by nonviolent means.
A perfect solution to this would be to offer the shirt as well and put the person in a position to be more forgiving. According to society in which Christ was reputed to have lived, such a person would be admonished himself for causing you to be naked. In this situation, if you take it into consideration, the person would likely give you more time to pay your debt.

It is my opinion that this no longer applies to today's laws and social standards but serves as an example with regards to morality and nonviolent protest to injustice.
The specific examples given are no longer valid or practical, but the idea is.

Answer 2

It's an invitation for Christians to "go the extra mile" even for enemies in order to win their hearts to the way of the Christ.

If some insults you by a word or even a slap, turn the other cheek for them to do it again, thus not retaliating, but maybe they'll feel remorse. Your restraint might impress them.

Answer 3

turn the other cheek

Respond meekly or mildly to insult or injury without retaliating. For example, There's no point in arguing with that unreasonable supervisor; just turn the other cheek.

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Do Christians really turn the other cheek? If they could, I suspect they would destroy every single atheist on this earth and all other Gods.

Answer 5

I DO NOT LIKE THAT WHOLE LIL POINT OF VIEW. TOO MANY TIMES MY MOTHER WILL TELL ME ...'ITS BETTER IF U TURN THE OTHER CHEEK'.. NEVER DID LISTEN..MAYBE THATS WHY I WAS SUCH A BAD TEENAGER BUT REGARDLESS U CAN EITHER TURN THE OTHER CHEEK AND TO yOU!! U ARE BETTER AND MORE GROWN UP FOR NOT TAKING IT OUT OF PROPORTION OR U CAN FIGHT AND ARGUE AND LOOK IGNORANT FOR NOT LETTING SOMETIHNG GO... I DO BOTH LOL

Answer 6

I dont know much about the bible but i think it refers to when you get smacked by someone and as a sign of you forgiving them, you turn your other cheek to them in a show of trust that they know they are wrong?

Answer 7

This saying from the Bible means that you should avoid conflict. Whether someone hit you or if they told a lie on you, this saying is a reminder that you should be slow to be angered just like the God is.(The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger...,Psalm103) If someone makes you upset, just pray for them to change their ways.

Answer 8

It's forgiving someone, and not slapping them back in return for slapping you. But doing good to them and loving your enemies in return. It's returning good for evil, love for hate, peace for war. If your enemy asks you for your coat, you give him your shirt too. It's being the bigger man and overcoming evil with good.

Answer 9

I guess to demonstrate to the person who is attacking you that you are the bigger person and you are not going to stoop to their level. But then can't that make one self righteous and arrogant? Who knows, but yeah. Or perhaps to show that violence doesnt necessarily beget violence.

Answer 10

The point is that you should forgive someone for their mistakes...given that it is in fact a mistake. Simply, give someone a second chance.