Matthew 5:38-39 reads as follows in the KJV in the 1611 Shakespearian English: "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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."
Several verses before this statement, Yeshua (Jesus) said:
"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. “Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."
Basic biblical context and the expressions that were expressed in the Greek makes his following sermon make a lot more sense. He reiterates his Father's Law while expounding on the heart of righteousness, mercy, and good faith from a position of godly strength rather than from personal vendetta.
If the Matthew 5:38-39 passage was indeed a command NOT to resist evil... Yeshua would have been contradicting clearly articulated biblical self-defense laws as well as most of the actions of the prophets. Additionally, he would be violating Deuteronomy 4:2 "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." and would thus be a false prophet as well as a false messiah.
Enjoy!
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