"The Law and Retaliation"
Notes
Transcript
The Sermon on the Mount: (Matthew 5–7): An Expositional Commentary (The Right to Retaliation)
The black evangelist Tom Skinner was converted to Christ while he was leader of the largest, toughest, teenage gang in New York City, the Harlem Lords. His conversion was so real that he left the gang the next day, turning from a life of fighting and violence to preach the gospel. There was an immediate victory over crime and cruelty. Soon there was victory over hate and bigotry also. Several weeks after his conversion he was playing a football game in which, as his assignment on one play, he blocked the defensive end while his own halfback scored a touchdown. As he got up from the ground to head back to the huddle, the boy whom he had blocked jumped in front of him in a rage and slammed him in the stomach. As he bent over from the blow he was hacked across the back. When Skinner fell the boy kicked him, shouting, “You dirty black nigger! I’ll teach you a thing or two.”
Skinner said that under normal circumstances the old Tom Skinner would have jumped up from the ground and pulverized the white boy! But, instead, he got up from the ground and found himself looking the boy in the face and saying, “You know, because of Jesus Christ, I love you anyway.” Later Skinner said that he even surprised himself, but he knew that what the Bible had promised was true. He was a new creature in Christ, and it was no longer necessary for him to operate on the old level of tit for tat, hate for hate, or retaliation. Moreover, when the game was over and the opposing end had some time to think about it, he came to Skinner and said, “Tom, you’ve done more to knock prejudice out of me by telling me that you loved me than you would have if you’d socked my jaw in.”
The Bible Exposition Commentary (Chapter Four: The King’s Principles: True Righteousness (Matthew 5))
Psychologists tell us that violence is born of weakness, not strength. It is the strong man who can love and suffer hurt; it is the weak man who thinks only of himself and hurts others to protect himself. He hurts others then runs away to protect himself.
Jesus continues His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount by addressing one of the most natural human responses to being wronged: retaliation.
Someone hurts us, so we want to hurt them back.
Someone insults us, so we want the last word.
Someone takes something from us, and we immediately think, “They are going to pay for this.”
But Jesus calls His followers to something different, in Matthew 5:38-42.
This principle came from the Old Testament and was intended to establish justice and proportionality, not personal revenge.
Jesus is not teaching that evil should never be confronted or that governments have no responsibility to punish wrongdoing. Rather, He is dealing specifically with the believer's response to personal mistreatment.
Proposition - Christ has called believers to a higher righteousness, we must refuse personal revenge and respond to mistreatment in a way that reflects the character of God.
Interrogative question - In what situations do you find it most challenging to 'turn the other cheek'?
1. The Call to lay down an attitude of retaliation - vs. 38-39
1. The Call to lay down an attitude of retaliation - vs. 38-39
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
The religious leaders are reference the torah -
23 “But if there is any further injury, then you shall appoint as a penalty life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
19 ‘If a man injures his neighbor, just as he has done, so it shall be done to him: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him.
16 “If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing, 17 then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days. 18 “The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is a false witness and he has accused his brother falsely, 19 then you shall do to him just as he had intended to do to his brother. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you. 20 “The rest will hear and be afraid, and will never again do such an evil thing among you. 21 “Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
In its Old Testament context, this principle helped establish that punishment must fit the offense. It prevented someone from responding to a minor injury with excessive vengeance.
For example, if someone caused a limited injury, justice did not permit the offended person to take revenge far beyond the original offense.
The principle was therefore connected with justice, not uncontrolled personal vengeance.
Jesus now addresses what happens when people take a principle intended for public justice and use it as a justification for personal revenge.
Jesus says:
“Do not resist an evil person.”
The word “resist” here should not be understood as a command to approve of evil or never oppose wrongdoing.
The broader teaching of Scripture makes clear that evil sometimes must be confronted.
Romans 13:1–4 — government has authority to punish wrongdoing.
John 18:22–23 — Jesus Himself questioned an unjust blow.
Acts 22:25 — Paul appealed to his legal rights when improperly treated.
Ephesians 5:11 — believers are commanded to expose the works of darkness.
Proverbs 31:8–9 — God's people are commanded to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.
So Jesus is not saying, “Never oppose evil.”
He is saying, “Do not make personal revenge your response to being wronged.”
What does “turn the other cheek” mean?
The example Jesus gives is a slap on the cheek.
In the ancient world, a slap could communicate insult, humiliation, or contempt.
Jesus is addressing the desire to retaliate when our pride has been wounded.
Someone insults you.
Your natural response is:
“I'll show them.”
Jesus says:
Don't live that way.
22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you.
17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
Believers do not have to become the judge, jury, and executioner of every personal offense.
We can trust God with justice.
Illustration: The Argument That Never Ends
Imagine two people arguing.
One person says something insulting.
The other responds with an insult.
The first responds with something worse.
The second responds again.
Pretty soon neither person remembers what started the argument.
Each person is simply trying to win.
That is retaliation.
Jesus teaches us to break the cycle. You don't have to answer every insult.
Often times the strongest response is refusing to return insult for insult.
1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.
19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
2. The Call to Value people - vs. 40-41
2. The Call to Value people - vs. 40-41
40 “If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 “Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two.
Jesus gives two more examples.
A. The lawsuit — verse 40
The clothing imagery is significant.
The shirt refers to an inner garment, while the coat refers to the outer garment.
The outer garment had a very special importance in Jewish times. The coat would often times be used as a blanket.
Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Clothes, Clothing)
However, Mosaic law forbade the taking of the outer tunic, the himation (Exod 22:26; Deut 24:13). Jesus’ disciples must be willing to forgo their rights in their service to Christ. Peter insists that outer clothing is not nearly as important as the inner beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit (1 Pet. 3:3–4)—a message appropriate to our generation.
Under Old Testament law, there were protections concerning someone's outer garment.
26 “If you ever take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, you are to return it to him before the sun sets, 27 for that is his only covering; it is his cloak for his body. What else shall he sleep in? And it shall come about that when he cries out to Me, I will hear him, for I am gracious.
Jesus' is not saying that believers must surrender everything to every dishonest person.
His point is that our possessions ought not to become more important than our testimony for Christ.
We can possess things without allowing those things to possess us.
7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
B. The Roman requirement — verse 41
This statement would have been immediately understood by Jesus' audience.
Historical Background: Roman Compulsion
The Roman Empire had systems that allowed soldiers or officials to require the people to provide certain forms of assistance, including carrying burdens.
A famous biblical example occurs in Matthew 27:32, where Simon of Cyrene is compelled to carry Jesus' cross.
32 As they were coming out, they found a man of Cyrene named Simon, whom they pressed into service to bear His cross.
Jesus' listeners lived under Roman occupation.
They knew what it meant to be forced to do something they did not want to do.
Imagine a Jewish man being required by a Roman soldier to carry something for a mile.
His natural reaction might have been: “I hate these Romans. I'm only going because I have to.”
Notice what Jesus says - “Go with him two.”
That would have been shocking.
Jesus is teaching His followers not to allow resentment to control them.
This does not mean Christians must tolerate abuse or remain in dangerous situations.
Scripture consistently teaches the protection of the vulnerable and the responsibility of authorities to restrain evil.
Jesus' teaching concerns our attitude toward personal wrongs and personal retaliation.
There is a difference between - Forgiving someone who wronged you and allowing someone to continue harming you or another person.
Biblical forgiveness does not mean pretending nothing ever happen.
Illustration: The Extra Mile
Suppose someone asks you to help them with something you really don't want to do.
You do it, but your attitude says:
“Fine. I'll do it, but I'm going to make sure everybody knows how much I hate doing it.”
Jesus gives a different picture.
The first mile may be required.
The second mile is voluntary.
The second mile demonstrates that our attitude is controlled by Christ rather than circumstances.
3. The Call to be Generous - vs. 42
3. The Call to be Generous - vs. 42
42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.
Jesus concludes with generosity.
The Christian should not be characterized with an attitude -
“What's mine is mine, and nobody else gets it.”
On the other hand, believers should have an openhearted concern for others.
7 “If there is a poor man with you, one of your brothers, in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother; 8 but you shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.
Israel was commanded not to harden its heart toward the poor but to be generous.
17 One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the Lord, And He will repay him for his good deed.
35 “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.
16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Matthew (The Fifth Antithesis: The Commandment concerning Retaliation)
Similarly, when someone in distress asks for assistance, one must not turn a deaf ear to him. On the contrary, says Jesus, give, not grudgingly or gingerly but generously; lend, not selfishly, looking forward to usury (Exod. 22:25; Lev. 25:36, 37), but liberally, magnanimously. Not only show kindness but love kindness (Mic. 6:8; cf. Deut. 15:7, 8; Ps. 37:26; 112:5; Prov. 19:17; Acts 4:36, 37; 2 Cor. 8:8, 9).
Biblical illustrations of the spirit which Jesus here commends:
a. Abraham, rushing to rescue his “brother” Lot (Gen. 14:14 ff.), though the latter had earlier revealed himself to be a rather avaricious nephew (Gen. 13:1–13).
b. Joseph, generously forgiving his brothers (Gen. 50:19–21), who had not treated him very kindly (37:18–28).
c. David, twice sparing the life of his pursuer King Saul (1 Sam. 24 and 26).
d. Elisha, setting bread and water before the invading Syrians (2 Kings 6).
e. Stephen, interceding for those who were stoning him to death (Acts 7:60).
f. Paul, after his conversion, writing Rom. 12:21; 1 Cor. 4:12; and 1 Cor. 13; and putting it into practice!
g. Above all, Jesus himself, praying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34; cf. Isa. 53:12, last clause; Matt. 11:29; 12:19; and 1 Peter 2:23).299
Jesus does not mean we give everyone everything they ask for -
The Bible also teaches wisdom.
10 For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat, either.
15 The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps.
Christian generosity must be accompanied by both wisdom and discernment.
Jesus is attacking the attitude of selfishness—not teaching foolishness.
The question isn't simply:
“What can I get?”
The believer should also ask:
“How can I use what God has given me to bless others?”
Proverbs 3 -
The heart of this passage is ultimately about trust.
The question is how can I refuse revenge?
Because I trust God.
19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
God sees what happened.
God knows what was said.
God knows what was taken.
God knows who treated you unfairly.
God knows the truth.
Therefore, I don't have to spend my life trying to make sure everyone receives what I think they deserve.
Christ's is the greatest example -
The greatest illustration of this principle is Jesus Himself.
23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously;
Jesus was falsely accused.
He was mocked.
He was mistreated.
Yet He entrusted Himself to the Father.
And ultimately, He willingly gave Himself for sinners.
7 He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth.
The Messiah was described as one who would remain silent before His accusers.
Jesus did not retaliate because He was trusting the righteous judgment of God.
Illustration: The Two Debtors
Imagine someone owes you $100.
You remind them.
They refuse to pay.
You become angry.
Then you begin thinking about all the ways you could get even.
You spend days thinking about what they did.
They owe you money—but now they are also occupying your thoughts.
Retaliation often works that way.
The offense happened once, but our anger allows it to happen over and over again.
Forgiveness releases the desire for personal revenge and entrusts justice to God.
SO WHAT?
It is impossible to fully comprehend Matthew 5:38–42 without remembering the Gospel.
Every believer has received something that we do not deserve and that is “Grace.”
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We are sinners who need God’s mercy -
God did not compromise His justice -
Instead, Christ bore the judgment that we deserved -
Therefore, the Christian who has experienced God's grace should increasingly become someone who extends grace to others.
Three Truths to Remember -
1. Don't seek personal revenge -
19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
2. Don't allow possessions or rights to control you -
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
The Sermon on the Mount: (Matthew 5–7): An Expositional Commentary (Chapter 21: Have We No Rights? (Matthew 5:38–42))
These verses teach that a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ has no right to retaliation, no right to things, no right to his own time, and no right to his money. In other words, he holds all his possessions in trust from the Lord, and he is obliged to use them as Jesus did, to help others.
Your testimony for Christ is more valuable than winning every personal dispute.
3. Don't allow selfishness to prevent generosity -
16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Use what God has given you to do good.
How can you personally apply the principle of turning the other cheek in your daily interactions?
What does it mean to you to refuse personal revenge in light of Jesus' teachings?
How can you cultivate an attitude of generosity towards those who have wronged you?
In what ways can trusting God help you in situations where you feel wronged?
How does recognizing the grace you've received from God influence your response to others?
Can you recall a recent situation where you were tempted to retaliate? How might you respond differently now?
What practical steps can you take to value people more than your rights or possessions?
How might your relationships improve if you focus more on generosity and less on holding onto your rights?
What are some tangible ways you can practice going the extra mile for someone you feel hesitant towards?
How can you ensure that your attitude remains positive even when you are required to do something you dislike?
