Matthew 5:38

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Ye have heard {G191} that {G3754} it hath been said {G4483}, An eye {G3788} for {G473} an eye {G3788}, and {G2532} a tooth {G3599} for {G473} a tooth {G3599}:

"You have heard that our fathers were told, `Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.'

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’

Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Context of Matthew 5:38

Matthew 5:38 is a pivotal verse within Jesus' renowned Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), where He expounds upon the true spirit and intent of God's Law. This particular teaching, often referred to as one of the "antitheses," begins with "Ye have heard that it hath been said," indicating Jesus is addressing a common interpretation or application of the Old Testament Mosaic Law. The phrase "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" is a direct quotation from the Pentateuch, found in Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. In its original context, this principle, known as lex talionis (the law of retaliation), was intended to establish proportional justice in legal proceedings, preventing excessive punishment or unchecked revenge, ensuring that the penalty fit the crime, and was administered by authorities, not individuals. However, in Jesus' time, it may have been misapplied or understood as a justification for personal vengeance, which Jesus directly challenges in the subsequent verses, particularly Matthew 5:39.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Fulfillment of the Law: Jesus does not abolish the Law but fulfills and reinterprets it, revealing its deeper, spiritual intent. He moves the focus from mere external compliance to internal transformation and a kingdom ethic of love and grace (Matthew 5:17).
  • Beyond Retribution: While the Old Testament principle provided a framework for civil justice and limited vengeance, Jesus elevates the standard for His followers. He calls them to move beyond a strict "eye for an eye" mentality in personal interactions, advocating for a spirit of non-retaliation and forgiveness.
  • God's Standard of Justice: The verse highlights the contrast between human inclinations towards exact retribution and God's higher call to mercy and self-sacrifice. It sets the stage for understanding Jesus' teaching on turning the other cheek and loving enemies.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" is a direct translation of the Hebrew principle of lex talionis. This legal concept emphasized that the punishment should be equivalent in kind and degree to the injury inflicted. It was a groundbreaking principle in ancient law, aiming to prevent disproportionate revenge (e.g., taking a life for an eye) and ensure equity in judgment. Jesus' teaching here is not a repudiation of justice itself, but a reorientation of its application in personal conduct among His disciples, shifting from a focus on receiving what is due to giving beyond what is expected.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 5:38 serves as a profound challenge to our natural inclination for retribution. It calls us to:

  • Embrace Forgiveness: Instead of seeking personal vengeance or demanding strict reciprocity for wrongs committed against us, we are called to forgive and release the offender.
  • Practice Non-Retaliation: In our personal relationships, this verse encourages us to refrain from escalating conflicts by retaliating in kind. It promotes a spirit of peace and reconciliation, even when wronged.
  • Live by Kingdom Principles: This teaching reflects the radical ethics of God's kingdom, where love, mercy, and grace supersede strict legalistic demands in interpersonal dealings. It prepares us for the further teachings on loving our enemies.
  • Distinguish Personal from Civil Justice: While individuals are called to non-retaliation, the principle of justice for society (through governing authorities) remains. The Bible affirms the role of civil government in administering justice and punishing wrongdoing (Romans 13:4). Jesus' teaching here applies primarily to individual responses to personal injury, not to the function of law and order in society.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Leviticus 24:19

    And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;

  • Leviticus 24:20

    Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him [again].

  • Deuteronomy 19:21

    And thine eye shall not pity; [but] life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

  • Exodus 21:22

    ¶ If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart [from her], and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges [determine].

  • Exodus 21:27

    And if he smite out his manservant's tooth, or his maidservant's tooth; he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

  • Deuteronomy 19:19

    Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

  • Matthew 5:27

    Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

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