Turn the other cheek meaning and explanation

[John10]

I wanted to know what is the correct meaning when Christ said to “turn the other cheek”.

My understanding is that while we strive to avoid conflicts, the reality is that there will be times when we will have to do the “good fight” for things which are right.

Anger, vengeance, hatred must never be our driving force but rather standing up for what is right, even if this creates animosity with others.

After all even Christ had enemies !

 

[Anrakyr]

In the context of the time one used their left hand for dealing with poop/unclean things and right hand for interacting with people.

One of the greatest insults was to slap someone in the face. clearly only done with the right hand. If you turned your head to offer them to do it again they have two choices; back hand you which was considered going to far or use his left hand which one should not do.

Basically you force the person to shame themselves by continuing or stop.

Jesus not once in the bible asks us to be passive.
Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

He didn’t say let someone whale on you.

 

[John10]

Thanks I agree with you, we must be known to be merciful, but that does not mean we allow injustice to go unchallenged.

 

[dochawk]

When I first heard this from our priest (who is very well educated on first century jewish culture!), part of my reaction was, “Isn’t the modern term ‘passive aggressive’?”

Similarly for the bit about giving the cloak–this would have been security for a loan, which had to be returned to the debtor at night. In the culture at the time, the shame for nakedness was not on the one who was naked, but on he who caused it, thus the handing over of the last garment shamed the creditor . . .