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Matthew 5:39 bbe — But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of yo…

Bible in Basic English

"But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned."

— Matthew 5:39, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Matthew 5 — Context

36

You may not take an oath by your head, because you are not able to make one hair white or black.

37

But let your words be simply, Yes or No: and whatever is more than these is of the Evil One.

38

You have knowledge that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39

But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned.

40

And if any man goes to law with you and takes away your coat, do not keep back your robe from him.

41

And whoever makes you go one mile, go with him two.

42

Give to him who comes with a request, and keep not your property from him who would for a time make use of it.

Matthew 5:39 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Matthew 5:39 say?
Matthew 5:39 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned.”
Where is Matthew 5:39 in the Bible?
Matthew 5:39 is found in the New Testament, in the book of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 39.
Who wrote Matthew?
Matthew is traditionally attributed to Matthew (Levi), tax-collector turned apostle. It was written c. AD 50–70.
What is the book of Matthew about?
Matthew presents Jesus as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah — son of David, son of Abraham, fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Structured around five great teaching blocks including the Sermon on the Mount, it ends with the risen King commissioning his disciples to make disciples of all nations.
What are the major themes of Matthew?
Matthew explores themes including Kingdom of Heaven, Messiah, Fulfillment, Discipleship, Great Commission. These themes shape the meaning and context of Matthew 5:39.
What translation should I read Matthew 5:39 in?
Matthew 5:39 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Matthew 5:39?
Matthew 5:39 reads (BBE): “But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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