As with the other examples that Jesus has given in his sermon, he is making use of rhetorical overstatement to emphasize a particular point. In this case, he is not prohibiting God’s people from using the legal system when they are wrong. Neither is he prohibiting Christians from being involved with police or military, serving to protect people in their society. 1His focus is personal relations between people and affirming that Christians must seek to return good for evil and not be out on getting revenge when they are wronged.
39 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.