![]() "Eye for an eye" is certainly an instruction in Biblical law: it is from Exodus 21:24 (also Lev. He is talking about the teaching of the Pharisees, who (as usual) were applying Biblical law in the wrong situations. What is Jesus referring to, when he references the "eye for an eye" teaching? If you have ever taught anything like this, then you'd better repent now, because you've been engaging in false teaching. Jesus made the above statement less than twenty verses before his statement about "an eye for an eye." If Jesus was about to teach people to "break one of the least commandments," then he would be a pretty big hypocrite, wouldn't he? Further, if you make the claim that any part of the Sermon on the Mount somehow contradicts Biblical law, then you are saying that Jesus was a hypocrite. Whoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. For truly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one jot or one tittle shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. He stated right in the introduction to his teaching that he was upholding every jot and tittle of the law:ĭo not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, was not teaching against any part of Biblical law. These statements are both examples of the rank ignorance that you find today among Christians who have been taught falsehoods by their pastor or some other equally ignorant teacher. He showed us that this part of Biblical law is no longer relevant, because revenge is not allowed in the New Covenant. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said: an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, but I say to you, not to resist the evil." See, Jesus was quoting from Biblical law, which allowed for proportional revenge, and he was teaching against that. This doesn't mean being weak or passive in the face of blatant violence (Luke 22:36), but it does prohibit seeking to "get even" when we're insulted or abused (Romans 12:19).Recently, I heard a Christian friend say (something like): "People were allowed to avenge the deaths of their relatives under Biblical law." Is this statement true, or is it an example of Christian ignorance of Biblical law?Ī related statement that I have often heard Christians make is something like the following: So far as it goes between individual people, God's will is that we do not take revenge, at all (Matthew 5:39). God's teaching about "eye for an eye" was meant to limit violence, not encourage it.Ĭhrist's teaching on the matter, given in the next few verses, reveals the true intent God has for His people. God's rule for Israel was to limit retaliation and punishment to a fair equivalent of harm. ![]() This pattern of revenge is what turns petty insults into riots, and minor crimes into wars. Human nature is to retaliate "plus one." In other words, if you slap me, I'll punch you. ![]() The reason God gave that law was to prevent escalation, including excessive punishment for crimes. It's a testament to Christ's influence in changing mankind that modern readers often see "eye for an eye" as vicious or harsh. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." This comes from God's system of justice for the Israelites as described in Deuteronomy 19:21, "Your eye shall not pity. This time, He expects His audience has heard the "law of retaliation," often summed up as an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Jesus moves on to another "you have heard," "but I say" topic.
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