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).
Stanley, ironic you would bring up proof texting. Our pastor who spent a few years at Walla Walla before going to the seminary in Bering Springs, MI. said in his sermon last Sabbath that we need to get beyond proof texting, which was somewhat prevalent when he was a student on campus.
Rather than eye for eye, it could be interpreted as a hand for peace and a heart for justice by grace through faith in God. Let no bitterness (leading to revenge) spring up. Hebrews 12:15.
I enjoyed reading your post and also all the following posts to the end, as well as the lesson today.
How should the realization that one day justice will come, help us deal with all the injustice that we see in the world today?
Good question. Christ told a parable of the persistent widow who went to a judge to vie for justice. Luke 18:1-8. I do believe Christ is saying that if we never give up, justice is ours through Him.
Thank you and God bless you!
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).
I am a little surprised that the lesson takes issue with the rabbinical teaching of the eye-for-eye principle. The Torah is quite specific in both the lead-up and following verses that it is about compensation rather than punitive damage. Read Exodus 21 - there is much more to the chapter than:
The Talmud and Mishna are epansive. Eye-for-eye is a figure of speech. The word used in the Hebrew, translated as "for" is "tachet" and means "in place of". They develop the Exodus scripture, pointing out the inconsistency of a literal interpretation and raising five areas where compensation is appropriate:
The Talmud views the Exodus 21: 24, 25 scripture as a metaphor for a moral principle. It is what we deserve but the compassion of divine law substitutes monetary compensation.
I submit that there is nothing seriously wrong with that approach. And if we were to examine our own laws today we would find that modern law has not fallen very far from the tree.
So what was Jesus talking about when he refered to the above text in his Sermon on the Mount? Jesus knew that these laws and interpretations were being abused by avericious greed. Rather than seeking fair compensation, folk were misquoting scripture to stake their claim for more. In a nutshell, Jesus was saying, "Don't get greedy! Be generous to one another!"
And in today's litigatious world we find that the Torah, the Talmud, and Jesus all line up against the use of the law on compensation as a get-rich-quick scheme!
This makes every sense.Thank you
From Wednesday’s lesson I learned that “eye for an eye” was never about revenge but limiting it. Jesus restored its true meaning—calling us to respond with forgiveness and love, trusting God as the ultimate Judge. That assurance frees us to live as peacemakers in a world full of conflict.
Jesus demonstrated the ultimate in forgiveness when on the cross He cried out, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." When He said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you...Mt 5:44 Is this how Christ looks at us sinners today? This is assuring and empowering to me.
Jesus was contrasting the way things were with the way they should be. "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."
Jesus wasn't justifying vigilante retributive revenge, he was saying that there's a better way than the "bitter way." We choose whether the slights and miscarriages of justice in our lives, and in this world will make us bitter people, or better people. In the end God will right all wrongs. He alone reserves the right to vengeance and promises to repay the evil doer. (Deuteronomy 32:35 and Romans 12:19) When God exercises vengeance against others, it is a redemptive type of vengeance designed to lead the person or persons beyond a life long, or even generations long blood feud. The vengeance of man is destructive and extreme, wanting to one up the wrong done to them. Man says, "I'll teach you!", but Jesus says, "I'll take care of it." How much emotional and physical suffering could be avoided in our lives as well as in in our world if we would let things go and let God do the retribution? If we would forgive as we were forgiven, we would find the better way. If anyone has the right to repay it is Him, for all sin is against him. At Calvary, Jesus could have vaporized his tormentors into little tidy heaps of ash. But, He didn't do that, instead He prayed to the Father to "forgive them for they don't know what they are doing." Sin is insanity, as much as doing the same response over and over again and expecting a different outcome. It's been said that if we keep living by the axiom of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," eventually the whole world will be blind and toothless. Do we really want to make the world a bitter place, or a better place? Leave it to God to bring justice and go ahead and live a peaceful life. This is the better way.
I believe it is somewhat natural for us in our sinful condition to confuse justice and vengeance.
True justice is redemptive in nature and I believe is aimed at helping us to understand the righteousness of God’s laws that they are holy, just, and good, and that their purpose is for the well being of the social order of society and by extension of the universe.
Vengeance brings our sinful human nature into the equation with its attended attitude of bitterness. Having experienced bitterness for a perceived wrong done to me, I can attest to how difficult it can be to let it go. Self had to be crucified by the grace of Christ. I praise the Lord for freedom from the bondage of bitterness! It is so liberating.
Vengeance seems to be promoted in our culture through movies, books, and other forms of entertainment. This vengeance is promoted as being in the name of justice. And I have heard many stories of people’s lives that have been eaten up by bitterness all the way to the bitter end.
May the Lord save us from ourselves.
Amen. As someone once observed, "Vengeance is to justice as licentiousness is to love."
The Torah and Jesus were all clear—compensation laws were meant to bring fairness and restoration, not serve as a lottery ticket. Yet in today’s world, lawsuits often become just that. Those enormous settlements we hear about are driven not only by the greed of claimants but also by lawyers eager for their cut. When did justice stop being about making things right and start being about hitting the jackpot?
One could place the applications and effects of the law governing everyday living into the context of loving/embracing forgiveness. When doing so, much of the impact of having been ‘wronged’ can be forgiven through understanding and compassion for the purpose of the healing of both sides.
But what is actually working behind the scene in the unseen, spiritual realm? Yes, ‘punishment’ for wrong doing is needful in an ordered society, but what is that which is really in need of changing? Is it not the heart and mind of man; to understand the impact of the spirit man is impressed by? The spirit of this world constantly clashes with the Spirit of God who seeks to establish His Justice through Mercy and Grace.
Laws are given to expose and show man his transgressions. It is the changing of the heart and mind of the transgressor which is the true aim of the Law; bringing about an understanding that nothing is gained by ‘breaking' the law, but that everything is gained by living by faith in the spirit of the law of God’s Love expressed through His righteousness – John 18:36; John 8:23; John 17:14; John 15:19.
The eye for an eye principal was meant for a judicial context. The punishment was to match the crime. Left to themselves, people might very well take a life to compensate for an eye etc.
When Jesus talks about the law and turning the other cheek, it seems clear that he was condemning applying a judicial principle to personal relations. If a situation is worthy of going to court, by all means take it there. But if not, forgiveness and mercy is the way to approach the situation rather than fighting for our rights.
Justice can happen on this planet, for “the Earth is a circle.” But complete justice will finally occur when Jesus returns! The Universe will be thoroughly vindicated.