Offer no resistance to one who is evil" How to understand this?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season:  Eleventh Week :  Monday*

*Gospel : Mt 5:38-42*

*First Reading : 2 Cor 6:1-10*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 98:1, 2b, 3ab, 3cd-4*

*"Offer no resistance to one who is evil" How to understand this?*

*1) Understanding the Verse: "Do Not Resist an Evil Person"*

In the context of the Greek language, the word “resist” literally means to “set oneself against,” especially in terms of retaliation or violent opposition.

Jesus is not saying:

that we should allow evil to flourish unchecked,

or that we should approve or be passive toward injustice,

or that Christians should never defend themselves at all.

Rather, Jesus is teaching a radically non-retaliatory spirit:

*2) Good as the response to the Evil*

Romans 12:17-21 Says *“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”*

This emphasizes that resisting evil is not done through violence or revenge, but through goodness and love, which have the power to transform hearts.

*3) Justice by God*

Proverbs 20:22 says *“Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you.”*

A call to trust in God's justice, not in our own hands or vengeance.

*4) Response to the personal offence*

Jesus' teaching applies to personal insults or wrongs—such as being slapped. 

It's about the attitude of the heart. 

If someone wrongs us, we are to respond with humility, patience, and love, not with revenge.

*5) Nonviolent Resistance*

Saints like Martin Luther King Jr. and Gandhi (though not Christian, deeply influenced by Jesus' teachings) showed that this principle can apply in public life through peaceful resistance to evil systems—without hatred.

*6) Spiritual Message*

The world says: “Stand up for yourself at all costs.”

Jesus says: *“Let go of your pride. Let love and meekness win hearts.”*

By not resisting with evil, we:

Break the cycle of hate.

Witness to God’s peace.

Make space for grace and transformation.

*7) Final Thought*

*“Offer no resistance to one who is evil”* is a call to radical love, nonviolence, and trust in God’s justice.

It's not weakness, but a strength born from deep faith. It's how Jesus lived—and how we’re called to live as His disciples.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*