I actually think Jesus was a pacifist. Simply because he didn't ever take up arms to defend himself nor anyone else. Nor did he ever admonish anyone else to do so. And in his time and place in history, there would have been ample opportunity for him to do either. Also, it is clear to me that his message was one of love, forgiveness, kindness and generosity; all attributes that do not generally support violent retaliation. And, clearly, he did specifically admonish us not to return abuse with same, as he did not return the horrific abuse he suffered, with actual or even the promise of retribution, and even to his own death. Instead, he simply asked God to forgive his tormentors.
Unfortunately, pacifism requires a level of moral faith and belief that is beyond what most of us can muster. And so we just can't envision a world in which a human being would allow themselves to be abused or harmed for the sake of an ideal. So we look for excuses and loopholes in the Bible that will allow us to excuse ourselves from the difficult challenge that Jesus lays before us.
