Slap on the cheek and take the cloak (Mt 5:38-40)

T.A.

5:38 "You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.'

• Exodus 21:22-25 indicated that like punishment be carried out on transgressions. 

5:39 "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.

• Jesus teaches against personal vengeance. The Mosaic law did not teach that the one who had lost eye could knock out the eye his enemy. Rather judges would govern the penalty against the transgressor (Deu. 16:18). Jesus and the Holy Spirt teach against personal vengeance. Judges and juries should determine guilt and punishment for transgressions (Rom 12:17-21; 13:34). 
• When Jesus said, “That Ye resist Not Evil,” He refers to we not taking personal vengeance. All evil originates with the devil; there is a sense In which we must resist him with all our might. James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
• Obviously this is not what Jesus referring, but in what sense are we to not resist? In the sense of doing evil for evil; returning violence for violence.
• Of course resisting violence with force does come when the purview (scope, activity) of the government, whether it be in controlling sedition or protecting the citizen in time of war. Romans 13:3, 4 speaks of the high power (v.1) not bearing the sword in vain. 
• But, we, as Christians, as much as lies within us must attempt to live peacefully with all men and not avenge ourselves (Rom 12:17-21). We attempt to love our neighbour as ourselves. “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour (Rom 13:8-10). We must remember the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Which one of the qualities is violated by returning evil for evil. We are told “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:21). “…but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” The Bible has examples of people slapping the face of another giving insult and injury. 
• They did so to Jesus (Mat 26:67; Jn 18:22; 19:3). Jesus tells His disciples how they are to react if they are slapped; they are not to react with like violence. The Christian Spirit follows the law of love which “endureth all things (1 Cor. 13:7). However, depending on the situation and the severity of it, we have the higher powers (Rom 13:1) who are God’s ministers “to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil” (Rom 13:4).
• I think the very point here is that God does not want people to take personal vengeance. He said “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord” (Rom 12:19). God is the judge as to what, when, how, much vengeance to repay and we have His promise that He will repay.

5:40 (ASV)  And if any man would go to law with thee, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

• In the previous verse Jesus tells His disciples how to react toward physical violence directed toward them. This verse deals with lawsuits. What is Jesus teaching when He says: “Let him have they cloak also?” Lawsuits are often messy things, and often the lawyers come out best and richer. Is it possible that Jesus is trying to help the hurt person to avoid more hurt? Would it not be better to avoid all the hurt and emotional pain that can come with a countersuit? Is Jesus elaborating on what He taught in verse 25? 
• Mt 5:25 (ASV)  Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.