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Luke 6:29-30 meaning
The parallel Gospel account for Luke 6:29-30 is Matthew 5:39-42.
Having called His disciples to a different way of living that is at odds with the world’s, Jesus continues to address the matter of personal retribution for wrongs done against you using several examples. Showing mercy to others leads to righteousness, harmony, and life.
Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also (v 29a).
The first example involves insults. To slap someone in the face is a stinging and public insult. The natural reaction is to slap back. But Jesus tells His disciples to show mercy and not retaliate. Instead, they are to, remarkably, offer him the other [cheek] also. An application of this statement might be to say, “Never react when someone does something offensive to you.” This principle is also stated by Solomon, who said:
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
For you will heap burning coals on his head,
And the LORD will reward you.”
(Proverbs 25:21-22)
This Proverbs passage is quoted by Paul in Romans 12:20. It is interesting to note that applying the Mercy Principle is actually more effective in besting evil than retaliation. When we retaliate, we focus on and are controlled by the action of the offender. Plus, we reward the offender by drawing attention to the offense. People don’t gather around to watch someone be merciful. They gather around to watch a fight.
By being merciful, we “heap burning coals” on the head of the offender. Perhaps one way we “heap burning coals” is by showing them they do not control our actions. We show them we will choose our actions based on our values, rather than be controlled by them. In doing so, we do not give them the attention they seek by attacking us. When we behave in this manner, the Lord promises He will reward us.
This kind of meekness and humility is disarming. It avoids escalating the situation with violence. By offering your other cheek you may get struck a second time, but you also are refusing to be controlled. This can be viewed as a metaphor for how to respond to the world’s system. By refusing to react, you are inviting the other person to join you in harmony along with Jesus in God’s kingdom. In so doing, you are giving the other an invitation to be your brother. You are also eliminating the motivation for the attack. What is the fun of attacking someone who is not provoked or offended?
This is at the heart of His kingdom. This is the Mercy Principle Jesus shared in the Beatitudes: “Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy” (Matthew 5:7). This is what Paul will tell the believers in Rome, “Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Do not be overcome by evil, but, overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17; 21). This is what James means when he writes, “mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13). Righteousness (social harmony) comes when people forgive and overlook offenses done to them, not when they prosecute every wrong,
and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either (v 29b).
The second example involves lawsuits. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. If someone claims something against you, let them have not only what they claim but even more. Instead of digging in and “lawyering up” and making your neighbor an adversary, make them your friend, by giving them what they demand plus something extra for good measure.
In this case, the opponent wants to sue. This implies there has been some sort of transaction in which the other party feels they have been wronged, and has a point. If they didn’t have a point, they wouldn’t have a basis to sue. We are not speaking here of being shaken down by a con artist. We are speaking of bringing harmony to relationships and engagements between neighbors.
It will cost you your shirt and your coat to settle the dispute, but it may win you a friend. A shirt and coat would both have been valuable possessions in Jesus’s time. But in neither case would losing them have threatened someone’s life or livelihood. In addition to not reacting to physical provocation, we also should seek out win-win opportunities. It seems it would be impossible to apply this kingdom principle while seeking to gain personal benefit from mere extraction. Kingdom transactions should provide benefits for both parties.
Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back (v 30).
The final example Jesus offers involves a person asking for something from you. Jesus says in that instance to not turn away from him who asks of you, but rather to be willing to give. If someone asks of you then give to him. Give it willingly, without any bitterness. He even tells His disciples to do not demand it back if someone takes away what is yours. Jesus exhorts His disciples to have a heart that seeks the best for others. To treat other people with generosity. This kingdom principle reflects the wisdom of Solomon:
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,’
When you have it with you.”
(Proverbs 3:27-28).
Jesus contrasts this heart of generosity with the attitude of legal proportionality. Jesus’ disciples are not to merely seek to follow the law and assert their legal rights, making sure everyone gets their just due. Rather, Jesus’s followers are to look for opportunities to serve, give, and share with their neighbor. In each case, Jesus focuses upon the heart attitude. The overarching goal of our actions should be social harmony (righteousness) rather than self-seeking. His disciples should love and seek true benefit for others and our communities.