A Slap Heard ‘Round the World
On March 27, 2022, the Academy Awards were thrown into chaos when actor Will Smith walked onstage and slapped comedian Chris Rock in response to a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident was shocking. It interrupted one of the most celebrated nights in Hollywood and left viewers stunned.
But the true impact of the moment didn’t come from the slap itself and the cussing from Will Smith that followed after the slap. It came from how Chris Rock responded.
1. He Lived Out “Turn the Other Cheek” in Real Time
Jesus said in Matthew 5:39, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Chris Rock didn’t quote this verse on Oscar night, but he lived it. He didn’t retaliate. He didn’t fight back. He didn’t even curse or shame Smith on stage. He kept the show moving, composed and focused. That one moment became a living sermon—an illustration of what it looks like to truly turn the other cheek.
In the Greek, “turn the other cheek” implies not just passive endurance, but active moral strength. Chris Rock didn’t just endure humiliation—he transcended it.
2. His Restraint Magnified Will Smith’s Shame
If Chris Rock had lashed out, the moment would have become a brawl. The story would have been about “two men who lost control.” Instead, by showing restraint, Rock allowed Will Smith’s action to stand alone in the spotlight—unfiltered, unshared.
In the aftermath, public backlash against Smith was swift and widespread. He was banned from the Oscars for ten years, resigned from the Academy, and faced significant damage to his public image.
Ironically, what was meant to embarrass the comedian ended up humiliating the actor far more. And that’s the quiet power of turning the other cheek—it exposes wrong without engaging in it.
3. Silence and Delay Were the Final Blow
Perhaps the most striking part of Chris Rock’s response was what he didn’t do. He didn’t speak about the incident for months. He refused to press charges. He let time, silence, and the weight of public opinion do the talking.
This gave the incident more staying power and gave his restraint even more moral weight. If he had gone on a press tour condemning Smith, the public might have tired of the story. Instead, Rock’s silence was deafening.
It reminded the world that real power doesn’t need to shout. It simply stands firm.
Jesus’ Teaching Was Never About Weakness
When Jesus taught his followers to turn the other cheek, he wasn’t asking them to be passive. He was inviting them to practice a new kind of strength—one that rejects vengeance and chooses dignity.
Chris Rock’s response wasn’t weakness. It was power under control. It was the very heart of what Jesus was calling us to.
Final Thoughts: True Strength Is Measured in Restraint
In a world obsessed with clapping back, canceling, and getting even, turning the other cheek looks revolutionary. But as the Chris Rock-Will Smith incident revealed, it is often the person who refuses to fight back who walks away with the most respect.
Jesus’ words remain as relevant as ever. To turn the other cheek is not to lose—it’s to win in a way that changes people, systems, and stories.
Prayer for the Strength to Turn the Other Cheek
Lord, help me to turn the other cheek as You taught us. When I am wronged, help me rise above retaliation. Give me strength to choose mercy over vengeance and grace over bitterness. May I reflect Your love even when it’s hard. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For a deeper look at Jesus’ teachings, visit the Sermon on the Mount (NIV).