Wednesday: An Eye for an Eye
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 27th of August 2025
Read Matthew 5:38-48. How does Jesus interpret the meaning of the retaliation law? How should we apply it today?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ cited texts from the Old Testament, texts that people were surely familiar with. However, He was speaking against the current rabbinical interpretations, which over the centuries had moved away from the original purpose of these laws. That is, human tradition not only hid the purpose of God’s Word but in some cases (think of the Sabbath regulations and what they had done to the Sabbath commandment) had perverted their intent and meanings. By His words, Jesus was restoring the original meanings of these laws.
Image © Pacific Press from GoodSalt.com
On the Mount of Beatitudes, by pointing His hearers back to the texts’ original intent and meaning, Jesus was seeking to correct some of these false interpretations.
The text from Exodus 21:24 that talks about an “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” was quoted in Matthew 5:38 (“you have heard . . . but I say to you”) and referred to the lex talionis, the so-called retaliation law. This verse is also used in other places in the Bible (Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21).
The original intention of this law was formulated against any personal revenge. It was to stop blood feuds, or retaliation without an investigation first. Injury had to be evaluated by judges, and then a proper monetary compensation would be established and paid. This practice was done in order to stop people from “taking the law into their own hands.” Justice was to be done, but it had to be done according to God’s law.
Jesus Christ, who gave these social laws to Moses, knew the purpose of this law; therefore, He could apply it in an objective way, according to its original intention. The motive behind it was to bring justice and reconciliation, and to restore peace.
One could argue that, in a sense, justice implies a kind of vengeance. The proper application of these laws was, it seemed, an attempt to find the right balance between the ideas of justice and vengeance.
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How should the realization that one day justice will come help you deal with all the injustice that we see in the world now? |
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When I was a young and overzealous employee, I had issues with my colleagues, but more so, my boss (my employer). It was a routine that we met for a 20-minute devotion every morning at about 8:00 am, with one of us sharing a scriptural message (in praise and for encouragement). My colleagues and my boss were from different Christian denominations; the office messenger and I were the only Seventh-day Adventists in the room.
This forum became a perfect opportunity for me to express and convey my disdain for the company's governance, and I thought I had found a clever way to launch my criticisms using scripture. I remember it was a Monday morning when I opted to lead the devotion. I had the entire weekend to search through scripture and find the best passages to execute my salvo at my boss. On that Monday, I successfully executed my scripture-based verbal assault, but it was a total disaster.
My boss saw right through me, and whereas I thought I had cleverly veiled my attack, it led to me receiving a "show cause" action as well as a formal warning – luckily, not a firing. I was young, I thought I was clever, but I wasn't smart at all then.
The approach I used back then is called "proof-texting" – . This practice can even be deemed as "eisegesis," which involves . In other words, proof-texting often involves selectively using scripture to justify a predetermined viewpoint, rather than allowing the text to speak for itself, and not for its intended purpose. It is unfortunate that, even today, amongst us believers we tell scripture according to our own perception; to meet our own desires or wisdom.
However, in scripture, it's clear that God doesn't work with assumptions; He is deliberate. He works with precision. As the Psalmist writes, "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul" (Psalm 19:7). God is more concerned with function over form, that's how He looks at things. Every word, every writing, and every law from God is clearly intended and has purpose, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
His laws are not arbitrary, but rather, they intend to address purpose and promote order, not facilitate mayhem. As the apostle Paul writes, "God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (1 Corinthians 14:33).Listen to us today as we convey the message of God. Don't we, at times, portray God's goodness as mayhem, chaos, violence, vangeful, wrath, and rage through our actions and messaging? Do we see the possible good in others?, and that they too possibly need God in their lives?
Sometimes, it may seem like we're not ready to reach out to our non-Adventist neighbors due to our focus on securing ourselves in that 144,000 (sic), and as a result, we either hold back or scare them away, scattering the sheep further away from the barn (Matthew 9:36). This lesson today urges us to search for the truth, purpose, and intent of God's Word, laws, and statutes. It's time to represent God in truth and in spirit (John 4:24).
Human nature leans toward retaliation, but Jesus points us in a different direction. The Old Testament principle of “eye for eye, and tooth for tooth” (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) was given to limit vengeance, ensuring punishment matched the offense rather than escalating into endless cycles of revenge. Yet, while the law restrained excessive retaliation, it still allowed for repayment in kind. Deep within the human heart is that desire to get even, to prove strength by striking back.
But in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus overturned that natural impulse: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:38–39). Instead of lashing out, He calls His followers to respond with grace, turning the other cheek, walking the extra mile, showing mercy rather than demanding payback. True strength is not in vengeance but in the Spirit-enabled meekness that reflects the heart of God (Romans 12:17–21).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person…”( Matthew 5:38–48).
What did Jesus mean in this passage? Was Jesus abolishing the justice system? Did Jesus mean that the perpetrators were to go unpunished?
“An eye for an eye” was a judicial principle that existed before the Mosaic law was put in place. It was a principle that tried to minimise how far personal vengeance would go. This was a principle to guide the judicial system in determining fair and proportionate punishment, thereby avoiding excesses. The law of retaliation was a measured justice whereby a person could not kill someone simply because he was injured. This principle somehow promoted fairness, equality, and order in Israel. Even though this system was not ideal, it was a step towards justice in a world prone to violence.
When Jesus came to the scene, He reoriented the principle from civil justice to personal relationships. Jesus was more concerned about how His followers should respond when they are personally aggrieved. He was teaching them not to retaliate in the same manner, not to answer violence with violence. Jesus did not oppose civil justice, but He wanted to break the cycle of violence (evil) by radical love (Romans 13:3–4). Jesus was raising an ideal standard for His followers (Philippians 4:13). We, followers of Christ, are now called to a higher ethical standard in matters of personal conduct. We are called to replace an eye for an eye with forgiveness, mercy, and love. Civil justice remains, but personal vengeance is not our part (Romans 12:19). Jesus Christ is entreating us to reject retaliation and embrace forgiveness.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NKJV).