以眼还眼，以牙还牙

Beyond Retaliation: Jesus' Radical Call to Turn the Other Cheek

Ancient wisdom, like the Chinese idiom  "以眼还眼，以牙还牙" yǐ yǎn huán yǎn, yǐ yá huán yá (an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth), often teaches proportional retribution. This principle, also found in the Old Testament, focuses on reciprocal justice – responding to harm with equivalent harm, aiming for balance and deterrence.

However, Jesus introduced a revolutionary concept that challenged this very foundation. In Matthew 5:38-39, He taught us to "turn the other cheek." This isn't about weakness, but a radical act of non-resistance, humility, and grace. It's a call to break the cycle of violence, offering peace where retaliation is expected.

Jesus's teaching shifts the focus from external justice to internal spiritual strength, prioritizing love, forgiveness, and divine sovereignty over earthly revenge. While the world often demands an "eye for an eye," Jesus invites us to a higher path—one of transforming love that disarms aggression and opens the door to reconciliation.