Retaliation (cf. Luke 6:29 f.). Like the law of divorce, the law of the ius talionis (Exodus 21:24 f.*) was more restrictive than permissive; it limited revenge by fixing an exact compensation for an injury. Jesus penetrates behind this just principle without abrogating it. His disciples, in virtue of a higher principle, are not to desire human justice for themselves. To take His words literally is to exalt the letter at the expense of the spirit, which He would surely deprecate. Paul appealed to legal justice (Acts 16:37; Acts 25:8-12), and there are occasions when to decline it would mean wronging and betraying others. RV in Matthew 5:39 a is wrong; read Resist not evil (mg.), which reveals itself in malice as well as in untruthfulness (Matthew 5:37).
Matthew 5:39 b - Matthew 5:42. The injunctions form a descending scale violent assaults, legal proceedings, official demands, simple requests. Perhaps the blow on the right cheek is more of an insult than an injury; it would naturally come from an opponent's left hand. But right may have no special significance, and the Latin and Syriac versions generally omit it, as Lk. does. Lk. omits the reference to a lawsuit (Matthew 5:40), and seems to describe a robbery with violence, the outer garment being first seized.
Matthew 5:41. compel: the word is originally a Persian one, and means impress (Matthew 27:32). Some early good authorities read, go with him two more.
Matthew 5:42 must be taken in the spirit rather than the letter. Indiscriminate almsgiving is an injury to society, and the injunction is not confined to almsgiving.