Luke 6:29
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also.
Original Language Analysis
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τύπτοντί
And unto him that smiteth
G5180
τύπτοντί
And unto him that smiteth
Strong's:
G5180
Word #:
2 of 22
to "thump", i.e., cudgel or pummel (properly, with a stick or bastinado), but in any case by repeated blows; thus differing from g3817 and g3960, whic
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σιαγόνα
the one cheek
G4600
σιαγόνα
the one cheek
Strong's:
G4600
Word #:
6 of 22
the jaw-bone, i.e., (by implication) the cheek or side of the face
πάρεχε
offer
G3930
πάρεχε
offer
Strong's:
G3930
Word #:
7 of 22
to hold near, i.e., present, afford, exhibit, furnish occasion
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
him
G575
ἀπὸ
him
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 22
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἴροντός
that taketh away
G142
αἴροντός
that taketh away
Strong's:
G142
Word #:
14 of 22
to lift up; by implication, to take up or away; figuratively, to raise (the voice), keep in suspense (the mind), specially, to sail away (i.e., weigh
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
19 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Hebrews 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.2 Corinthians 11:20For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face.1 Corinthians 6:7Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?Isaiah 50:6I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting.Matthew 26:67Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,John 18:22And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?Lamentations 3:30He giveth his cheek to him that smiteth him: he is filled full with reproach.1 Corinthians 4:11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;Luke 22:64And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
Historical Context
Roman-occupied Palestine knew both casual violence and legal exploitation. Soldiers could compel civilians to carry loads; creditors could sue for debts. Jesus taught his followers not merely to submit but to go beyond what's demanded—offering the other cheek, both garments. This shocked hearers accustomed to lex talionis (eye for eye). First-century honor-shame culture made such behavior scandalous—surrendering honor and possessions contradicted cultural values. Yet Jesus modeled this at his trial and crucifixion (Isaiah 50:6, 1 Peter 2:23).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus' call to absorb insults and surrender possessions challenge your natural desire for justice and self-protection?
- In what situation is Jesus calling you to break the cycle of retaliation by absorbing wrong rather than returning it?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other—the blow to the cheek (τύπτοντί σε ἐπὶ τὴν σιαγόνα, typtonti se epi tēn siagona) was not life-threatening violence but an insult to honor, a backhanded slap of contempt. Jesus commands pareche (πάρεχε, offer/present) the other cheek—active non-retaliation that absorbs evil without returning it. The cloak and coat (himation, ἱμάτιον and chitōn, χιτών) represent outer and inner garments—Jesus says surrender both rather than fight over possessions.
This radical ethic transcends justice for grace, refusing to match evil for evil. It's not passivity but active love that absorbs wrong to stop the cycle of retaliation. This is kingdom ethics—citizens of God's kingdom don't defend their honor or possessions but trust God's vindication while showing enemy-love.