Matthew 5:38-48
New International Version - UK
Eye for eye
38 ‘You have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.”[a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
Love for enemies
43 ‘You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbour[b] and hate your enemy.” 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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- Matthew 5:38 Exodus 21:24; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21
- Matthew 5:43 Lev. 19:18
Matthew 5:38-48
The Message
Love Your Enemies
38-42 “Here’s another old saying that deserves a second look: ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
43-47 “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the supple moves of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48 “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
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Matthew 5:38-48
Amplified Bible
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth [punishment that fits the offense].’(A) 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person [who insults you or violates your rights]; but whoever [a]slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other toward him also [simply ignore insignificant insults or trivial losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity, your self-respect, your poise].(B) 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, [b]let him have your coat also [for the Lord repays the offender]. 41 And whoever [c]forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.(C)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor (fellow man) and hate your enemy.’(D) 44 But I say to you, [d]love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,(E) 45 so that you may [show yourselves to] be the children of your Father who is in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him]. 46 For if you love [only] those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do that? 47 And if you greet only your brothers [wishing them God’s blessing and peace], what more [than others] are you doing? Do not even the Gentiles [who do not know the Lord] do that? 48 You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.(F)
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- Matthew 5:39 In this context the “slap” is not an act of violence, but more likely an insult or violation of one’s rights.
- Matthew 5:40 Probably a prohibition against frivolous legal action.
- Matthew 5:41 Roman soldiers were allowed to force civilian bystanders to carry their gear one mile for them.
- Matthew 5:44 The key to understanding this and other statements about love is to know that this love (the Greek word agape) is not so much a matter of emotion as it is of doing things for the benefit of another person, that is, having an unselfish concern for another and a willingness to seek the best for another.
Matthieu 5:38-48
La Bible du Semeur
(Lc 6.29-30)
38 Vous avez appris qu’il a été dit : œil pour œil, dent pour dent[a]. 39 Eh bien, moi je vous dis : Ne résistez pas à celui qui vous veut du mal ; au contraire, si quelqu’un te gifle sur la joue droite, tends-lui aussi l’autre. 40 Si quelqu’un veut te faire un procès pour avoir ta chemise, ne l’empêche pas de prendre aussi ton vêtement. 41 Et si quelqu’un te réquisitionne[b] pour porter un fardeau sur un kilomètre, porte-le sur deux kilomètres avec lui. 42 Donne à celui qui te demande, ne tourne pas le dos à celui qui veut t’emprunter quelque chose.
(Lc 6.27-36)
43 Vous avez appris qu’il a été dit : Tu aimeras ton prochain[c] et tu haïras ton ennemi. 44 Eh bien, moi je vous dis : Aimez vos ennemis et priez pour ceux qui vous persécutent. 45 Ainsi vous vous comporterez vraiment comme des enfants de votre Père céleste, car lui, il fait luire son soleil sur les méchants aussi bien que sur les bons, et il accorde sa pluie aux justes comme aux injustes.
46 Si vous aimez seulement ceux qui vous aiment, allez-vous prétendre à une récompense pour cela ? Les collecteurs d’impôts eux-mêmes n’en font-ils pas autant ? 47 Si vous ne saluez que vos frères, que faites-vous d’extraordinaire ? Les païens n’agissent-ils pas de même ? 48 Votre Père céleste est parfait. Soyez donc parfaits comme lui.
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Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
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La Bible Du Semeur (The Bible of the Sower) Copyright © 1992, 1999 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.