Luke 22:36 - Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
I wouldn't say that's a passage about an inalienable right to defend yourself. Jesus goes on to say that "two swords is enough" (for a group of 11), meaning he doesn't really mean everyone should go get a sword to protect themselves. Rather it's about preparing the group for what will happen. I'd rather interpret it as the right of a group to defend itself as a whole. Turn the other cheek is pretty blatant when it comes to what to do in individual cases.
Turn the other cheek is about insult, though. One would insult a man by striking with the back of the hand. To offer the other cheek by turning would put it in a position where to strike it, you'd need a clenched fist. It says, simultaneously, "Okay, you're a brute, so go ahead and assault me, proving me the better man," and also " You hit like a bitch, I can take a REAL hit. "
You don't turn the other cheek when someone is actually attacking you.
"You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."
Matthew 5:38–42
And
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them"
Luke 22:36 - Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take [it], and likewise [his] scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
I wouldn't say that's a passage about an inalienable right to defend yourself. Jesus goes on to say that "two swords is enough" (for a group of 11), meaning he doesn't really mean everyone should go get a sword to protect themselves. Rather it's about preparing the group for what will happen. I'd rather interpret it as the right of a group to defend itself as a whole. Turn the other cheek is pretty blatant when it comes to what to do in individual cases.
Turn the other cheek is about insult, though. One would insult a man by striking with the back of the hand. To offer the other cheek by turning would put it in a position where to strike it, you'd need a clenched fist. It says, simultaneously, "Okay, you're a brute, so go ahead and assault me, proving me the better man," and also " You hit like a bitch, I can take a REAL hit. "
You don't turn the other cheek when someone is actually attacking you.
It doesn't sound that way to me:
"You have heard that it was said, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."
Matthew 5:38–42
And
"But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them"
Luke 6:27–31