MAT 5:39 Parallel Verse View

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Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) but I’m telling you not to resist those who want to hurt you. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn your left cheek towards them,

Key: khaki:verbs, light-green:nominative/subject, orange:accusative/object, pink:genitive/possessor, cyan:dative/indirect object.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

ULT But I tell you not to resist the evil one. Instead, whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

UST Now here is what I want to tell you: do not try to stop people who do bad things to you. Rather, suppose that someone insults you by hitting you on the right side of your face. You should turn your face so that the person can hit the left side also.

BSB But I tell you not to resist an evil [person]. [If] someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

MSB But I tell you not to resist an evil [person]. [If] someone slaps you on the[fn] right cheek, turn to him the other also;

BLB But I tell you not to resist the evil person. Instead, whoever shall strike you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

AICNT But I say to you, do not resist the evil one; but whoever {strikes}[fn] you on {the}[fn] right cheek, turn to him the other also;

5:39, strikes: 𝔓 ℵ(01) ‖ Some manuscripts read “slaps.” (D05) BYZ TR

5:39 the: SBLGNT THGNT ‖ Some manuscripts read “your.” NA28

OEB But I say to you that you must not resist those who wrong you; but, if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to them also.

WEBBE But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. But whoever strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

LSV but I say to you not to resist the evil, but whoever will slap you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other;

FBV But I tell you, don't resist someone who is evil. If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other cheek to them as well.

TCNT But I say to you, do not resist one who is evil. Rather, if anyone slaps yoʋ on [fn]the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

5:39 the ¦ yoʋr 𝔐^pt HF NA TR WH

T4T But now listen to what I say to you: Do not take revenge for evil deeds done {that other people do} to you. Instead, if someone insults you by striking you on one cheek, turn your other cheek toward that person in order that he can strike it also.

LEB But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer, but whoever strikes you on the right cheek,[fn] turn the other to him also.

5:39 Some manuscripts have “your right cheek”

BBE But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned.

Moff But I tell you, you are not to resist an injury:
⇔ whoever strikes you on the right cheek,
⇔ turn the other to him as well;

Wymth But I tell you not to resist a wicked man, but if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

ASV 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.

DRA But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:

YLT but I — I say to you, not to resist the evil, but whoever shall slap thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;

Drby But I say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other;

RV 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.
(but I say unto you, Resist not him that is evil: but whosoever smiteth/smites/strikes thee/you on thy/your right cheek, turn to him the other also. )

SLT But I say to you, not to resist evil: but whosoever shall smite thee with a rod upon thy right cheek, turn to him also the other.

Wbstr But I say to you, That ye resist not evil: but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

KJB-1769 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
( But I say unto you, That ye/you_all resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee/you on thy/your right cheek, turn to him the other also. )

KJB-1611 But I say vnto you, that yee resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation)

Bshps But, I say vnto you, that ye resist not euyll. But, whosoeuer geueth thee a blowe on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.
(But, I say unto you, that ye/you_all resist not evil. But, whosoever giveth/gives thee/you a blow on thy/your right cheek, turn to him the other also.)

Gnva But I say vnto you, Resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.
(But I say unto you, Resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee/you on thy/your right cheek, turn to him the other also. )

Cvdl But I saye vnto you: that ye resist not euell. But whosoeuer geueth the a blowe on thy right cheke, turne to him the other also.
(But I say unto you: that ye/you_all resist not evil. But whosoever giveth/gives the a blow on thy/your right cheek, turn to him the other also.)

TNT But I saye to you that ye resist not wronge. But whosoever geve the a blowe on thy right cheke tourne to him the other.
(But I say to you that ye/you_all resist not wrong. But whosoever give the a blow on thy/your right cheek turn to him the other. )

Wycl But Y seie to you, that ye ayenstonde not an yuel man; but if ony smyte thee in the riyt cheke, schewe to him also the tothir;
(But I say to you, that ye/you_all stand_against not an evil man; but if any smite/strike thee/you in the right cheek, show to him also the other;)

Luth Ich aber sage euch, daß ihr nicht widerstreben sollt dem Übel, sondern so dir jemand einen Streich gibt auf deinen rechten Backen, dem biete den andern auch dar.
(I but said you, that you(pl)/their/her not resist should to_him evil, rather so you/to_you(sg) someone a Streich gives on/in/to your(s) right bake, to_him biete the change also dar.)

ClVg Ego autem dico vobis, non resistere malo: sed si quis te percusserit in dexteram maxillam tuam, præbe illi et alteram:[fn]
(I however I_mean/say to_you(pl), not/no to_resist I_prefer: but when/but_if who/any you(sg) will_strike in/into/on right_hand cheek your(sg), beforebe them and the_other: )

5.39 Non resistere. Justitia legis rudes instruit in initio justitiæ, id est, non plus quam est illatum reddere. Justitia Evangelii (quæ ducit homines ad regnum) est non resistere malo: Non resistere: ut ipse idem: Discite a me, quia mitis sum, et humilis corde Matth. 11.. Et David: Si reddidi retribuentibus mihi mala Psal. 7.. Jerem. Et maxillam dedi percutienti Thren. 3.. Ecce idem Dominus legis et Evangelii. Præbe illi. Non tantum non repercutias, sed si vult alteram ferire, patienter feras: hoc de injuria corporis. De necessariis autem si perdideris unum, sine tolli et reliquum. Quid ergo de superfluis? Alteram. CHRYSOST. Primum indigna res est ut nomo fidelis stet in judicio ante conspectum judicis infidelis. Nam et si infidelis, etc., usque ad Si semel in judicium ingressus fueris, non jam desideras ut veritas causæ appareat, sed ut quocunque modo victor exsistas.

5.39 Not/No to_resist. Justice law rude instructs in/into/on at_first/in_the_beginning justice, that it_is, not/no plus how it_is thattum to_return. Justice of_the_Gospels (which leads people/men to kingdom) it_is not/no to_resist I_prefer: Not/No to_resist: as exactly_that/himself the_same: Discite from me, because mitis I_am, and humble heart Matth. 11.. And David: When/But_if I_returned retribuentibus to_me evil Psal. 7.. Yerem. And cheek I_gave striking Thren. 3.. Behold the_same Master law and of_the_Gospels. Præbe them. Not/No only not/no repercutias, but when/but_if wants the_other to_hit, patiently feras: this from/about injuria body. From/About necessariis however when/but_if perdideris one, without tolli and remainder. What therefore from/about superfluis? Alteram. CHRYSOST. Primum indigna thing it_is as nomo faithful stet in/into/on judgement before view judgements unfaithful. For/Surely and when/but_if unfaithful, etc., until to When/But_if once/first in/into/on judgement entering you_were, not/no already desideras as the_truth causes appear, but as wherever just/only victor exsistas.

UGNT ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν, μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ; ἀλλ’ ὅστις σε ῥαπίζει εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην;
(egō de legō humin, maʸ antistaʸnai tōi ponaʸrōi; all’ hostis se ɽapizei eis taʸn dexian siagona, strepson autōi kai taʸn allaʸn;)

SBL-GNT ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ· ἀλλʼ ὅστις σε ⸀ῥαπίζει ⸀εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν ⸀σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην·
(egō de legō humin maʸ antistaʸnai tōi ponaʸrōi; allʼ hostis se ⸀ɽapizei ⸀eis taʸn dexian ⸀siagona, strepson autōi kai taʸn allaʸn;)

RP-GNT ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ· ἀλλ' ὅστις σε ῥαπίσει ἐπὶ τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην·
(egō de legō humin maʸ antistaʸnai tōi ponaʸrōi; all' hostis se ɽapisei epi taʸn dexian siagona, strepson autōi kai taʸn allaʸn;)

TC-GNT ἐγὼ δὲ λέγω ὑμῖν μὴ ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ· ἀλλ᾽ ὅστις σε [fn]ῥαπίσει ἐπὶ τὴν δεξιὰν [fn]σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην·
(egō de legō humin maʸ antistaʸnai tōi ponaʸrōi; all hostis se ɽapisei epi taʸn dexian siagona, strepson autōi kai taʸn allaʸn; )

5:39 ραπισει επι ¦ ραπιζει εις CT

5:39 σιαγονα ¦ σου σιαγονα 𝔐^pt HF TR ¦ σιαγονα σου NA WH

Key for above GNTs: red:words differ (from our SR-GNT base).

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

For many years, English versions and Christians have commonly referred to Matthew 5–7 as “The Sermon on the Mount.” In some translations, it may be helpful to include a heading for chapters 5–7 that is on a level above the section heading for 5:1–12.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

The Sermon on the Mountain

The sermon that Jesus preached on a mountain

Jesus taught people on the side of a mountain/hill

5:39–42

As mentioned above, Jesus’ teaching went beyond forbidding retaliation. Jesus taught that a disciple must show love to a person who mistreats him by doing good to him. Verses 5:39–42 talk about four different situations in which to do this. In the first three cases, a disciple is to show love by doing even more than the unjust person demands.

5:39a

But I tell you not to resist an evil person.

But now I tell you^(plur), do not oppose someone who does evil to you.
But me, I tell you^(plur), if someone wants to do something evil to you, do not fight him.

But I tell you: The clause But I tell you also occurs in 5:22a, 5:28a, 5:32a, and 5:34a. Translate it here as you did there.

not to resist an evil person: There are two ways to interpret the Greek word that the BSB translates as resist:

It means resist or oppose. According to this interpretation, Jesus’ teaching went beyond forbidding retaliation. Jesus taught that his followers must even be willing to accept mistreatment from evil people. For example:
not to oppose an evil person (GW) (BSB, NIV, RSV, ESV, NET, NASB, REB, NLT, NCV, NJB, JBP, KJV, GW, JBP)
It means retaliate or take revenge. According to this interpretation, Jesus was saying that his followers must not retaliate or seek revenge. For example:
do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you (GNT) (GNT, CEV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1) and the majority of English versions.

5:39b–c and 5:40a–b are two examples of not to resist an evil person.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Do not resist those who wrong you (REB)

Do not fight those who do evil things to you

5:39b

If someone slaps you on your right cheek,

If someone slaps you^(sing) on your right cheek,
If someone hits you^(sing) on the right cheek with his hand,

The Greek of 5:39b begins with a word that is often translated as “but” or “and.” For example:

But if anyone slaps you (ESV)

There is a contrast between 5:39a and 5:39b–42b. The contrast is between the idea of opposing an evil person and Jesus’ commands to allow such a person to do what he wants. Most English versions like the BSB do not translate this conjunction here, possibly because we are told not to oppose an evil person. So the contrast is not obvious. In many languages, it will not be necessary to have a conjunction here either.

If someone slaps you on your right cheek: The Greek word that the BSB translates as slaps also means “hits” or “strikes.” Here it implies using the hand. Such an action was a serious insult.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

If anyone slaps you on the right cheek (GNT)

If someone insults you with a slap on the right cheek

If a person hits you on your right cheek with his hand

5:39c

turn to him the other also;

turn your^(sing) other cheek to him also.
then offer your^(sing) other/left cheek to him to hit/slap as well.

turn to him the other also: The purpose of turn to him the other also is implied here. It is also “to be slapped,” as in the previous clause. The one who has received the slap is to offer the other (left) cheek to be slapped as well. It may be more natural in your language to include the implied purpose. For example:

turn to him the other cheek to be slapped as well

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

(Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ Δέ λέγω ὑμῖν μή ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ ἀλλʼ ὅστις σέ ῥαπίζει εἰς τήν δεξιάν σιαγόνα σοῦ στρέψον αὐτῷ καί τήν ἄλλην)

Here, the word But introduces a contrast with what Jesus said in the previous verse ([5:38](../05/38.md)). Jesus is not contradicting what he said. Rather, he is adding new information. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a word or phrase that introduces this kind of contrast. Alternate translation: [However,] or [Yet]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐγὼ & λέγω ὑμῖν, μὴ ἀντιστῆναι

Jesus uses the clause I tell you to emphasize what he is about to say and to contrast it with what he quoted in the previous verse ([5:38](../05/38.md)). If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the emphatic contrast in another way. Alternate translation: [listen to this: do not resist] or [here is what you need to know: do not resist]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἀντιστῆναι

˓to˒_resist

Here, the word resist could refer to: (1) trying to stop someone from doing something. Alternate translation: [to oppose] (2) trying to fight back or get revenge. Alternate translation: [to fight back against] or [to get revenge on]

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

τῷ πονηρῷ

˱against˲_the evil

Here, the phrase the evil one could refer to: (1) any person who acts in evil ways. Alternate translation: [an evil person] or [any person who is evil] (2) any action or thing that is evil. Alternate translation: [anything evil] or [evil actions]

Note 5 topic: grammar-connect-condition-hypothetical

ὅστις σε ῥαπίζει εἰς τὴν δεξιὰν σιαγόνα, στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην

whoever (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ Δέ λέγω ὑμῖν μή ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ ἀλλʼ ὅστις σέ ῥαπίζει εἰς τήν δεξιάν σιαγόνα σοῦ στρέψον αὐτῷ καί τήν ἄλλην)

Jesus is using a hypothetical situation to teach. Use a natural method in your language for introducing a hypothetical situation. Alternate translation: [if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, you should turn to him the other also]

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / youcrowd

σε & στρέψον

Even though Jesus is speaking to many disciples, he is addressing an individual situation, so you is singular throughout this sentence. But if the singular form would not be natural in your language for someone who is speaking to a group of people, you could use the plural form of you in your translation.

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

στρέψον αὐτῷ καὶ τὴν ἄλλην

turn ˱to˲_him (Some words not found in SR-GNT: ἐγώ Δέ λέγω ὑμῖν μή ἀντιστῆναι τῷ πονηρῷ ἀλλʼ ὅστις σέ ῥαπίζει εἰς τήν δεξιάν σιαγόνα σοῦ στρέψον αὐτῷ καί τήν ἄλλην)

Here Jesus implies that turning the other cheek to him will allow the person to strike this other cheek. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: [turn to him the other so that he can strike it also]

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

αὐτῷ

˱to˲_him

Although the term him is masculine, Jesus is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: [to him or her]

Parallel MAT 5:39

Section 5:1–7:29: Jesus preached a sermon on a mountain

5:39–42

5:39a

5:39b

5:39c