MPV Commentary

And he said to them, "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you, don't resist evil. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other cheek to him as well." This is not about inviting another blow, but about being prepared to submit meekly to further indignity without retaliation.

If someone sues you in court and takes your tunic, let him have your cloak too. The inner garment was a basic necessity, while the outer one was more valuable. In ancient times, it was forbidden to keep a poor person's only garment overnight as collateral for a debt because they needed it to sleep on.

And if someone forces you to go a mile with them, go two miles. This is not about being forced into slavery, but about being willing to submit to unreasonable demands without raising a fuss or causing unnecessary conflict. What follows is an extension of this principle.

Give to anyone who asks you for something, and don't turn away from someone who wants to borrow from you. The word "lend" here doesn't necessarily mean with interest; it's more about simple borrowing. This shows that the counsel to "owe no man anything" (Romans 13:8) isn't meant to be taken absolutely.

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, do good to those who treat you badly, and pray for those who persecute you. The best commentary on these teachings is the example of Jesus himself.

That you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. This principle was not new, but the way it's expressed here is unique to Jesus.

If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Even tax collectors will do that much. And if you greet only your friends, what more are you doing than others? Even pagans will do that much.

Be perfect, therefore, as your Father in heaven is perfect. This isn't about degrees of excellence, but about the kind of completeness that characterizes God's kingdom and its citizens.