Comment: An attitude of non-retaliation, even in the midst of provocation is the hallmark of a true and spiritually mature follower of Jesus Christ. Our Saviour never retaliated even in the midst of heightened provocation.  On an occasion when soldiers were sent to arrest him, St. Peter in rage drew out his sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers named Malchus.  Jesus Christ rebuked St. Peter and told him that if he had wanted to fight back he would have prayed to his father to send more than twelve (12) legions of angels to defend him.  In the end, Jesus Christ simply picked up the ear and placed it back on the soldier and the soldier was healed. – Matthew 26:47-56;  Luke 22:47-51;  John 18:3-12.

While delivering the sermon on the mount, Jesus Christ amended the law of “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” when he stated: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also… – Matthew 5:38,39,44,45.

St. Peter noted that our Lord Jesus Christ “ …when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” – 1 Peter 2:21-23. See also Romans 12:19-21.