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Some Say Avenge an Eye For an Eye. I Say Do Not Retaliate, But Do The Opposite

38 “You heard that it was said, ‘An eye for[a] an eye, and a tooth for a tooth’. 39 But I say to you not to resist[b] the evil person. But whoever slaps[c] you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 And to the one wanting to sue you and take your tunic[d], permit him also the cloak. 41 And whoever will press you into service[e] for one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one asking you, and do not turn away from the one wanting to borrow from you.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:38 That is, let your revenge be in proportion to the offense.
  2. Matthew 5:39 Or, oppose, stand against. Leave vengeance to God. Do not return evil for evil, Rom 12:17.
  3. Matthew 5:39 A slap is a personal affront.
  4. Matthew 5:40 tunic... cloak. The Law did not permit Jews to take the outer cloak, but they could sue for the tunic, the undergarment.
  5. Matthew 5:41 Soldiers would compel people to carry their things. Simon was pressed into service to carry the cross, Mt 27:32.

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