His Disciples Are To Show Generosity Of Spirit, Not To Cry For Vengeance (5:38-42).
In this example Jesus is replying to a mistaken interpretation of the Law. The purpose of the law ‘an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth' (the lex talionis), was in order to put a limit on vengeance in a fierce age. The idea was that no one should be killed because he had accidentally, or in a fair fight, knocked someone's tooth out. The maximum that could be demanded was that he also lose a tooth. Very often, in fact, such a case would be resolved by the payment of compensation, depending on the circumstances. But where the injured party and his friends were insistent on vengeance, then this law limited the vengeance that they could legally exact, without leaving them feeling unfairly done by. The problem was, however, that many had seen in it an excuse for demanding such vengeance, thus misusing what had originally been, in terms of those days, a compassionate law.
Jesus informs His disciples that under the Kingly Rule of God this was not to be the attitude that they followed (compare Leviticus 19:18). Rather than demanding tit for tat His disciples should respond to unpleasantness by showing humility, kindness and generosity of spirit. The examples given should be noted, however. This is not a question of giving in to random violence and/ or a way of dealing with people who intend to do real physical harm to them (how they were to deal with that is another question not specifically being covered here), this is describing how to deal with people who for one reason or another they might be tempted to resent because of the unpleasant and humiliating behaviour that the people have shown towards them. That is then followed by a positive demand that they also show generosity to all in need, and be ready to lend to anyone who requires such help. This is the opposite of desiring vengeance. It is to give unreservedly.
By this they will be revealed as peacemakers, a concept closely connected with the idea of not seeking vengeance in Romans 12:18-21.
Analysis of Matthew 5:38-42.
a You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,
b But I say to you, do not resist him who is unpleasant to you in his behaviour (literally ‘evil' or ‘the evil person'),
c But whoever smites you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.
d And if any man would go to law with you, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.
c And whoever shall compel you to go one mile, go with him two.
b Give to him who asks you,
a And from him who would borrow of you turn not yourself away.”
Note that in ‘a' we have the cry for retaliation, demanding hurt for hurt from someone who has hurt us, and in the parallel we have the contrary spirit of the willingness to lend generously to one who wants to borrow from us but deserves nothing from us. In ‘b' comes the command not to resist unpleasant behaviour, and in the parallel the command to respond pleasantly to anyone in need who asks of us. In ‘c' and parallel we have two examples of responding pleasantly to unpleasant behaviour when what we see as our ‘rights' are being invaded, and centrally in ‘d' we have an example of generosity to someone who is being mean-minded towards us.
Thus in Matthew 5:38-42 we have three examples of generosity, firstly ‘do not resist someone with bad intentions' (Matthew 5:39-41), secondly ‘give to him who begs from you' (Matthew 5:42 a), and thirdly ‘do not refuse him who would borrow from you' (Matthew 5:42 b), with the first example then illustrated in a threefold way with a description of the response that should be made to being smitten on the right cheek (Matthew 5:39), being sued for the inner garment (Matthew 5:40), and being legally forced to carry a soldier's pack for one mile if required to do so (Matthew 5:41). In different ways all are revealing openness towards others, and have the aim of achieving harmony among people.