matthew-5:39,-james-4:7-niv

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:38-42

The Christian type of fulfilling of the Law: Christ's fifth illustration. The precept or permission of the Law here instanced was not a precept or permission of revenge, but of equal justice. It was intended to operate, not to the encouragement, but to the discouragement, of revenge; and rather simply as the equitable admeasurer of just punishment and restraint of the more natural instinct of revenge. Christ, however, thus early forewarns his disciples of what his eye saw so clearly, his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:38-42

Retaliation. Of this we have here two sorts, viz. the retaliation of kind and that of kindness. These are not necessarily inconsistent. For Christ came not to destroy but to fulfil the Law. Properly understood, "Eye for eye and tooth for tooth" is the co-relative of "Do unto others as you would they should do unto you." We propose to view the lea talionis — I. AS A DIRECTION TO THE MAGISTRATE . 1 . The spirit of its teaching to him is to minister judgment in equity. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:38-48

The two remaining examples of the current teaching of the Law are very closely connected together, and, in fact, our Lord's corrections of them are intermingled in Luke 6:27-36 . Yet the subjects are really distinct. In the first ( Luke 6:38-42 ) our Lord speaks of the reception of injuries, in the second ( Luke 6:43-48 ) of the treatment of those who do them. Godet's remarks (in his summary of Luke 6:27-45 ) on the use made by St. Luke of these examples are especially instructive.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:39

But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee, etc. The first clause comes here only; the second is found also in Luke 6:29 (for the principle, of. 1 Corinthians 6:7 ). We may notice that, while our Lord most perfectly observed the spirit of this command, he did not slavishly follow the letter of it (cf. John 18:22 , John 18:23 ). Nor did St. Paul (cf. Acts 16:35 ; Acts 22:25 ; Acts 23:1-35 . 3; Acts 25:9 , Acts 25:10 ). We must remember... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:38-41

An eye for an eye ... - This command is found in Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. In these places it was given as a rule to regulate the decisions of judges. They were to take eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, and to inflict burning for burning. As a judicial rule it is not unjust. Christ finds no fault with the rule as applied to magistrates, and does not take upon himself to repeal it. But instead of confining it to magistrates, the Jews had extended it to private... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:38-42

Matthew 5:38-42 . Ye have heard, &c. Our Lord proceeds to enforce such meekness and love toward their enemies, on those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, as were utterly unknown to the scribes and Pharisees. And this subject he pursues to the end of the chapter. It hath been said, viz., in the law, Deuteronomy 19:21, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth Though this statute was only intended as a direction to judges, with regard to the penalties to be inflicted in... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

40. Legal obedience is not enough (Matthew 5:21-48; Luke 6:27-36; Luke 12:57-59)After his explanation concerning right and wrong attitudes to the law, Jesus gives a number of examples. He introduces these examples with statements such as ‘You have heard that it was said in the past’. This is not the same as ‘It is written’. Jesus is not quoting from the Old Testament but from the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees. He is not contradicting the law but the interpretations of the law that the... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:39

smite. Greek. rapizo. Occurs only in Matthew (here and Matthew 26:67 ). read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 5:39

But I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.The type of submissive meekness enjoined by Christ in these verses must appear very difficult to the people who have never tried it; but actually, this presents the most exciting and thrilling approach to life and its problems that can possibly be imagined. Those who have tried it unanimously affirm that it works.Illustration: Colin Byrne Smith of Australia told of a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:38-42

Matthew 5:38-42. Ye have heard, &c.— With respect to men's resisting and revenging such injuries as are done them, Jesus assured his disciples, that although, for the preservation of society, Moses had ordained the judges to give eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, if the injured party demanded it; yet the doctors were greatly in the wrong, not only when they enjoined men to insist on retaliation as their duty, but declared it lawful in many cases for the injured party to avenge himself with... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:38-42

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:38-42

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:38-48

The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 5:39

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Matthew 5:38-41

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Matthew 5:38-42

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Matthew 5:21-48

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Matthew 5:39

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Matthew 5:39

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Matthew 5:38-42

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