6:29–30
In these verses, Jesus stopped using the word “you(plur)” and began to use “you(sing).” He was referring to each of his listeners individually. If this is natural in your language, you should use the singular word for “you(sing)” here. But if it is not natural, you may continue to use “you(plur)” throughout this paragraph. If you change from plural to singular, it may be helpful to introduce the change at the beginning of 6:29 by saying something like:
I say to each one of you…
The four commands that Jesus made in these verses show specific examples of love towards an enemy. The specific action of the enemy is given first. Then the disciple is told how to show love to that person.
In some languages, it may be more natural to begin with the commands. For example:
29bPresent your other cheek 29ato the person who strikes you on the cheek.
29dDo not withhold your tunic from 29cthe person who takes your cloak.
30aGive to everyone who asks you for something.
30cDo not demand your things back from 30bthe person who takes them.
Many English versions have translated these illustrations using “if” or “when.” These illustrations are not real situations. Jesus was illustrating how to show love in possible situations. Translate these illustrations in a way that is natural in your language.
6:29a
If someone strikes you on one cheek: In the Jewish culture, it was a great insult to strike/slap someone on the cheek. In some cultures, slapping someone on the cheek is not an insult. If that is true in your culture, you could make the cultural meaning clear by saying:
If someone insults/shames you by striking you on the cheek
strikes: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as strikes describes striking/slapping someone with either the open hand or the fist.
6:29b
turn to him the other also: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as turn to him the other also is literally “offer/present also the other.” This implies that you should allow that person to strike/slap your other cheek also. Jesus was saying that his followers should not retaliate or try to get revenge. Some other ways to translate this are:
Allow him to strike the other cheek also.
-or-
…don’t stop that person from slapping you on the other cheek. (Contemporary English Version)
6:29c
And if someone takes your cloak: The verb takes here refers to getting possession unjustly. It could include stealing a person’s cloak or taking it as payment after making a false accusation in court against the disciple (see Matthew 5:40).
cloak: A cloak was a long, loose outer garment such as a long coat or robe. Another way to translate this is:
coat (Good News Translation)
See the General Comment on 6:29c–d below for more suggestions.
6:29d
do not withhold your tunic as well: The phrase do not withhold your tunic as well means “allow/permit him to also take your tunic.” Some other ways to translate this are:
offer your shirt also (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
let him have your shirt as well (Revised English Bible)
tunic: A tunic was a robe-like undergarment that people wore beneath the cloak. Another way to translate this is:
shirt (Good News Translation)
General Comment on 6:29c–d
Some ways to translate “cloak” and “tunic” are:
• Use general terms. For example:
outer garment and under garment
-or-
outer robe and under robe
• Use terms for clothing worn in your culture. This would especially be a good choice if you wear robe-like garments and if you wear two layers of clothing.
Both the cloak and tunic were considered necessities. So be careful not to use a term for clothing that is considered luxurious or is not commonly worn.
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