Matthew 5:38-39

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;

Berean Standard Bible, public domain. Read all of Matthew 5 · Words of Christ are set in red.

3 songs meet this passage

  • “Rather be the hunter than the prey”

    Natural · Imagine Dragons

    strains against Matthew 5:38-39

    Jesus's call to turn the other cheek stands against the song's embrace of dominance as the only way to survive.

  • Bad Moon Rising · Creedence Clearwater Revival

    strains against Matthew 5:38-39

    Jesus overturns the old retaliatory logic the lyric invokes, calling his followers instead toward mercy rather than requital.

  • Bazooka · Miami XO

    strains against Matthew 5:38-39

    Jesus calls for a response to violence that breaks the cycle rather than escalating it; this line pivots straight back toward retaliation.

Each reading weighs one song’s words against Scripture. It is AI-assisted and can be wrong; open a song to see its whole reading and decide for yourself.

Elsewhere in Matthew 5