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NASB | Matthew 5:38 ¶ "You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:38 ¶ "You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH [punishment that fits the offense].' [Ex 21:24; Lev 24:20; Deut 19:21] |
Bible Question:
How is "an eye for an eye" relevant after the New Testament? I have always wondered that, since in the New Testament Jesus said to "turn the other cheek," and that the second greatest commandment is (also) love, how does "an eye for an eye" play out now? is it relevant? if not, why is it even in the Bible? As a Christian how would I apply an "an eye for an eye" in a loving way? (because as i understand it, it is supposed to be done with love, right?) Should it even apply now? how could i, if i wanted to, quote the verse to explain something that i or someone else did and be Biblically correct? why would it be correct? in what situations? A lot of people use the "eye for an eye" verse from the Old Testament to justify things which i personally feel are not motivated by love. I guess motivated is a good word. shouldn't love be the motivation? a lot of these people are very religious people. pastors, priests, anyone. How can you invoke the "eye for an eye" verse in a loving way? I've always wondered this and never thought about actually asking someone who probably knows the answer. it would help also if someone who uses this verse to justify certain things could explain also. Thanks, Brad |
Bible Answer: Greetings Brad, You ask how is an "eye for an eye" relevant after the New Testament? Exodus 21:23-25; Lev. 24:20; Deut. 19:21; Matt. 5:38-42 The Ryrie Study Bible (1) describes the law spoken of in Exodus 21:23-25 as the 'lex talionis' or law of retaliation, which simply sought to provide for the ending of feuds by limiting the punishment to fit the crime and not to exceed it. This law provided for exact justice, not revenge, and concerned public justice, not private vengeance. "An actual eye or tooth was not to be required, nor is there evidence that such a penalty was ever exacted. A similar law of retaliation is found in the Code of Hammurapi, which also seems not to have been literally applied." (2) But in Matthew 5:38, Christ is showing us 'a more excellent way' of ending feuds through the law of love (1 Cor. 12:31 and following). The Commentary of Albert Barnes states the following: “An eye for an eye ... - This command is found in Exo_21:24; Lev_24:20, and Deu_19:21. In these places it was given as a rule to regulate the decisions of judges. They were to take eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, and to inflict burning for burning. As a judicial rule it is not unjust. Christ finds no fault with the rule as applied to magistrates, and does not take upon himself to repeal it. But instead of confining it to magistrates, the Jews had extended it to private conduct, and made it the rule by which to take revenge. They considered themselves justified by this rule to inflict the same injury on others that they had received. Our Saviour remonstrates against this. He declares that the law had no reference to private revenge, that it was given only to regulate the magistrate, and that their private conduct was to be governed by different principles” Jesus is not giving us an absolute command but giving an illustration of love towards one's enemies. We should deal with others as we would desire to be dealt with. Jesus provides stark and concrete "examples that are radical and thus intended to shock the audience to consider the radical nature of Jesus' ethic; there were not intended to be applied unthinkingly..." (3) Blessings to you, Makarios (1) pg. 1521, The Ryrie Study Bible, Expanded Edition, NASB, copyright 1995, The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago (2) pg. 167, The Zondervan NASB Study Bible, copyright 1999 Zondervan Corporation (3) pg. 1524, The Apologetics Study Bible, HCSB, copyright 2007 by Holman Bible Publishers |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Matt 5:38 | Author | ||
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Makarios | ||
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Tenmakk | ||
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Makarios | ||
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DocTrinsograce |