Matthew 5:39

But I say to you, do not resist the evildoer. ¹  But whoever strikes you on the ²  right cheek, turn the other to him as well.

Le 19:18; 1Sa 24:10-15; 1Sa 25:31-34; 1Sa 26:8-10; 1Ki 22:24; Job 16:10; Job 31:29-31; Pr 20:22; Pr 24:29; Isa 50:6; La 3:30; Mic 5:1; Lu 6:29; Lu 22:64; Ro 12:17-19; 1Co 6:7; 1Th 5:15; Heb 12:4; Jas 5:6; 1Pe 2:20-23; 1Pe 3:9

¹ tn The articular πονηρός (ponhro", “the evildoer”) cannot be translated simply as “evil” for then the command would be “do not resist evil.” Every instance of this construction in Matthew is most likely personified, referring either to an evildoer (13:49) or, more often, “the evil one” (as in 5:37; 6:13; 13:19, 38).

² tc ‡ Many mss (B D K L Δ Θ Ë¹³ 565 579 700 1424 pm) have σου (sou) here (“your right cheek”), but many others lack the pronoun (א W ˹ 33 892 1241 pm). The pronoun was probably added by way of clarification. NA²⁷ has σου in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.