Jesus' Teachings on Non-Retaliation and Love for Enemies in Matthew 5
In Matthew 5, Jesus presents radical teachings on non-retaliation and love for enemies, contrasting them with traditional interpretations of the law. This section of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38-48) is part of a larger discourse where Jesus clarifies and intensifies the demands of God's law, moving beyond mere outward observance to address the heart and intentions [10].
Jesus directly challenges the prevailing understanding of justice and interpersonal relationships. He quotes a traditional saying, "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy’" [1]. This saying reflects a common ancient world ethic of loving friends and family while hating adversaries [9]. However, Jesus introduces a "radical new ethic" [9] by declaring, "But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you" [2]. This command extends beyond mere tolerance to active benevolence, including prayer and good deeds for those who wish harm [5, 8].
Regarding retaliation, Jesus states, "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" [3]. This teaching goes against the Old Testament principle of lex talionis ("an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth"), which permitted proportionate retribution to prevent excessive punishment [11]. Jesus, however, forbids personal retaliation among his followers, advocating for a response of non-resistance and willingness to suffer further injustice [4, 11]. This approach is not about avoiding justice entirely but about finding "victory through suffering and the cross," mirroring Christ's own example [11]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that Christ himself forbore retaliation and rebuked it in others [4].
The command to love enemies and refrain from retaliation is a call to self-denial and a rejection of selfishness [6, 7]. It means overcoming evil with kindness rather than reciprocating it [4, 5]. This teaching is not necessarily a call for absolute pacifism in all aspects of life, but rather a different kind of activism focused on working for justice, righteousness, reconciliation, and mercy [13]. It emphasizes that judgment belongs to God, and followers should wait patiently for divine justice rather than seeking personal revenge [14]. The mercy Jesus calls for is a dominant theme in his teaching, though it does not negate clear opposition to sin [12].
Sources
- Matthew ““You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ -- Matthew 5:43”
- Matthew “But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, -- Matthew 5:44”
- Matthew “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. -- Matthew 5:39”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Enemies — Christ prayed for his -- Lu 23:34. The lives of, to be spared -- 1Sa 24:10; 2Sa 16:10,11. The goods of, to be taken care of -- Ex 23:4,5. Should be Loved. -- Mt 5:44. Prayed for. -- Ac 7:60. Assisted. -- Pr 25:21; Ro 12:20. Overcome by kindness. -- 1Sa 26:21. Rejoice not at the misfortunes of -- Job 31:29. Rejoice not at the failings of -- Pr 24:17. Desire not the death of -- 1Ki 3:11. Curse them not -- Job 31:30. Be affectionately concerned for -- Ps 35:13. The friendship of, deceitful -- 2Sa 20:9,10; Pr 26:26; 27:6; Mt 26:48,49. God defends against -- Ps ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
- Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 6:27: 6:27 love your enemies! People were commonly taught in the ancient world to love their family and friends and hate their enemies. Jesus announced a radical new ethic of loving even one’s enemies and overcoming evil through self-sacrificial love for others, not through violence and hatred (cp. Rom 12:14-21).”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:21: 5:21-47 You have heard. . . . But I say: Jesus contrasts his own teaching to six misinterpretations of the law. Each antithesis provides an example of the surpassing righteousness of Jesus. Jesus reveals the will of God as it contrasts with traditions. 5:21 our ancestors were told: The expression refers to the traditional interpretation of the teachers of religious law and Pharisees. Though their traditions prohibited murder, they did not prohibit hatred. The surpassing righteousness of Jesus demands reconciliation (5:23-24); merely refraining from committing mur”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:38: 5:38-42 The Old Testament permitted proportionate retribution (Exod 21:24-25; Deut 19:16-21), which was to prevent punishments from far exceeding the severity of the offense. Jesus, however, does not permit personal retaliation at all among his followers. Jesus’ way is not to insist on justice but to find victory through suffering and the cross (1 Pet 2:23). Some have taken this passage as a guide for all of life (including politics). Others understand it merely as the willingness to forgo one’s personal rights and to forgive as God has forgiven (see Matt 5:48; 1”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 7:1: 7:1 Mercy is a dominant theme in Jesus’ teaching and practice (9:9-13; 12:1-7), but not at the expense of clear opposition to sin (see 18:15-20; 23:13-33). At the same time, Jesus calls for people to stop oppressively controlling others in the name of pastoral concern. The judgment Jesus prohibits often involves rigorous scrutiny of trivial matters (see 23:23-24). God alone has the right to judge (see Jas 4:11-12). • you will not be judged: This might refer to God’s judgment at the end of history (see Matt 5:7). God measures us by our treatment of others (see 6:12”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 5:9: 5:9 This beatitude probably targeted zealots—Jewish revolutionaries who advocated the overthrow of Roman domination through violent resistance. The Messiah’s Kingdom would be established by other means. • those who work for peace: Jesus is not calling for pacifism per se, but rather a different kind of activism. • Peace is the absence of enmity and the presence of God’s salvation (Lev 26:6; 1 Sam 16:4-5; Isa 9:5-6; Zech 8:16; Eph 2:14; Col 1:20). Jesus’ disciples are to work for justice, righteousness, reconciliation, and mercy as the effects of God’s salvation th”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 13:28: 13:28-30 Just as Jesus rebuked the sons of Zebedee for wanting to destroy unbelieving villages (Luke 9:54-55), he prohibited his followers from retaliating against enemies. Judgment is God’s work (see Matt 7:1-5). Jesus urges his followers to wait patiently for God’s righteous judgment (the harvest; see Luke 13:6-9).”