40 Mt 5.39 MacArthur commentary

Matthew 5:38–42 (ESV)

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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.

41And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.

42Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.

John MacArthur, “Many people misunderstand the intent of that passage, so it is worth a closer look.

First, it is important to understand that Christ was not teaching universal pacifism. Some have suggested that this section of the Sermon on the Mount rules out the use of force or violence in every situation. However, that cannot be, because Romans 13:4 expressly assigns civil authorities the right and duty to “bear the sword”—meaning to use force, including deadly force when necessary—in the capacity of “an avenger who brings wrath upon the one who practices evil.” So a policeman who kills a criminal in order to stop the commission of a crime, or an executioner who kills someone judged guilty of a capital offense, is acting with an explicit mandate from God.

Second, the passage does not rule out self-defense in wantonly criminal attacks. Jesus is teaching how we should respond to insults and affronts against our personal dignity (vv. 39–42), not criminal threats to life and limb. Furthermore, this passage certainly does not suggest that a husband should refuse to defend his wife, or that a father should decline to protect his children. Those who see in this passage that kind of radical pacifism have twisted Jesus’ intent.” John F. MacArthur, [The Freedom and Power of Forgiveness, electronic ed. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998), 32–33.]