{Resist not him that is evil} (me antist(886e)ai t(9369) pon(8872)(9369)).
Here again it is the infinitive (second aorist active) in
indirect command. But is it "the evil man" or the "evil deed"?
The dative case is the same form for masculine and neuter.
Weymouth puts it "not to resist a (the) wicked man," Moffatt "not
to resist an injury," Goodspeed "not to resist injury." The
examples will go with either view. Jesus protested when smitten
on the cheek ( Joh 18:22 ). And Jesus denounced the Pharisees
( Mt 23 ) and fought the devil always. The language of Jesus is
bold and picturesque and is not to be pressed too literally.
Paradoxes startle and make us think. We are expected to fill in
the other side of the picture. One thing certainly is meant by
Jesus and that is that personal revenge is taken out of our
hands, and that applies to "lynch-law." Aggressive or offensive
war by nations is also condemned, but not necessarily defensive
war or defence against robbery and murder. Professional pacifism
may be mere cowardice.