cheek

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “cheek” in English is translated in Eastern Huasteca Nahuatl as “face” since there is no specific word in that language for “cheek.”

he who, whoever

The Greek that is typically translated with a generic expressions such as “he who,” “whoever,” or “if anyone” in English is translated with the plural form (“they”) in Daga. “A literal translation of these conveys the idea that one specific unnamed individual is being discussed. Thus, for instance, in John 5:24 ‘he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life’ meant in Daga that there was one fortunate individual to whom it applied.”

See also love your neighbor as yourself.

complete verse (Luke 6:29)

Following are a number of back-translations of Luke 6:29:

  • Noongar: “If people hit you on one cheek, you must say to them, they can hit your other cheek also. If people take your coat, you must say to them, they can also take your other coat.” (Source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang)
  • Uma: “If there is a person who slaps our cheeks on one side, don’t get revenge/pay back. Just also offer the other cheek to him. If there is someone who grabs/takes-away our sarong, just also give him our shirt.” (Source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “If someone slaps your face on one side turn the other side also to him and let him slap it. If someone takes your blouse let him even if he takes your undershirt as well.” (Source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “If there is a person who slaps your cheek, you tell him that it can be that he also slap the other. If there is a person who will take away your shirt, tell him that it can be that he also takes your undershirt.” (Source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If someone slaps one of your (sing.) cheeks, cause-to-be-slapped also the other and if someone takes your (sing.) outer garment (lit. layer of your clothes), just (lit. even-if you (sing.)) let-him-be so he will also take your (sing.) shirt.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “Supposing someone slaps you on your right cheek, just leave him alone to slap the other side also. Well if your cloak is snatched, give your shirt also.” (Source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Luke 6:29

Exegesis:

tō tuptonti se epi tēn siagona pareche kai tēn allēn ‘to him who strikes you on the cheek, present the other also.’ Note that vv. 29f are in the singular as contrasted with what precedes and what follows. tō tuptonti is dative of advantage with pareche.

tuptō ‘to strike,’ ‘to beat,’ in Luke always literally.

siagōn (only here and Mt. 5.39 in the N.T.) ‘jawbone,’ hence ‘cheek.’

parechō ‘to give,’ ‘to present,’ ‘to grant,’ ‘to bring about.’

kai apo tou airontos sou to himation ‘and from him who takes your upper-garment.’ The phrase goes with the main verb mē kōlusēs ‘do not keep back.’ kai introduces the clause as parallel to the preceding one. sou is possessive genitive with to himation. The latter refers here to the “upper and more valuable garment”.

kai ton chitōna mē kolusēs ‘do not keep back your undergarment as well.’ For chitōn cf. on 3.11. kai ‘likewise,’ ‘as well.’

kōluō ‘to hinder,’ ‘to prevent,’ ‘to refuse.’ Here with apo ‘to keep back from.’

Translation:

The construction to him who strikes…, offer … may better be rendered, ‘when someone strikes…, offer him’; similarly the constructions in vv. 29b, 30.

Who strikes you on the cheek, or, ‘on one cheek’ (Translator’s New Testament, Balinese), ‘on the cheek at one side’ (some Indonesian languages); or, where the use of a specific verb is more idiomatic, ‘who slaps-on-the-face/cheek you at one side.’ Cheek. In Sranan Tongo the term literally means ‘side-of-face,’ corresponding with ‘the other side’ in the next clause.

Offer the other, or, ‘offer (him) the other cheek, or, (the cheek at) the other side.’ Other possible renderings of the verb are, ‘turn (to him)’ (An American Translation, Nieuwe Vertaling, Sranan Tongo, Trukese), ‘make (to be) in front of him’ (Marathi), “let him hit” (Good News Translation).

Also means ‘in addition (to it),’ ‘to be treated similarly.’

Cloak and coat, referring to an outer and an inner garment. To render cloak some versions have chosen a term referring to a non-indigenous piece of dress because it resembled the type of garment referred to in the original. This is advisable only, if the dress in question has been commonly accepted in the receptor culture. The coat, or, ‘shirt’ (for which cf. also on 3.11) is mentioned here as example of the necessities of life; therefore one should avoid the use of a term referring to a garment that is considered a luxury in the receptor culture.

Do not withhold, or, ‘do not refuse,’ ‘do not oppose his taking’ (Marathi); or, positively stated, “let him have” (New English Bible, Good News Translation) ‘allow him to take’ (Tae’).

As well, or, ‘in addition to it.’

Quoted with permission from Reiling, J. and Swellengrebel, J.L. A Handbook on the Gospel of Luke. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1971. For this and other handbooks for translators see here . Make sure to also consult the Handbook on the Gospel of Mark for parallel or similar verses.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Luke 6:29

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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