1. Matthew 5:39 (ESV)
  2. Exposition

What happened when someone struck you on the right cheek?

Matthew 5:39 (ESV)

39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

Since most people favour their right hand, to be struck on the right cheek means that someone has given you a backhanded blow. 1 This was considered to be a great insult. 2 God’s prophets sometimes suffered such treatment (1 Kings 22:24; 2 Chronicles 18:23; Isaiah 50:6) and Jesus would also suffer the same (Matthew 26:67). 3