Meaning of Matthew 5:38

Jesus here quotes a principle from the Old Testament Law, specifically from Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. This "lex talionis," or law of retaliation, was not a license for unchecked vengeance but a legal principle designed to limit retribution. It established a standard of proportionality in justice, ensuring that punishment did not exceed the harm inflicted. In ancient Israelite society, this law served as a judicial guideline to prevent blood feuds and excessive penalties, ensuring that justice was rendered with a measured and equivalent response. Jesus, by bringing this up, is setting the stage to contrast the Old Testament legal framework with the radical ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven he is inaugurating.

Context and Background

The phrase "eye for eye, and tooth for tooth" originates from the Mosaic Law. It was a foundational element of the legal system established for ancient Israel. The purpose was to provide a framework for justice that was equitable and prevented a cycle of escalating violence. Judges were to apply this principle to ensure that penalties were commensurate with the offense. It was a legal and judicial measure, not a personal directive for individuals to exact revenge.

Key Themes and Messages

The central theme Jesus addresses is the limitation of legal retribution versus the radical call for non-retaliation and forgiveness. He is not abolishing the Old Testament Law but is revealing its deeper intent and calling his followers to a higher standard that surpasses mere legal compliance. The message is about a transformative ethic that prioritizes love, mercy, and reconciliation over the principle of exact vengeance. It challenges the natural human inclination to respond to injury with equal or greater harm.

Spiritual Significance and Application

The spiritual significance lies in the transformation of the inner disposition. Jesus calls his followers to move beyond the external demands of justice to an internal ethic of grace. This means actively choosing not to retaliate when wronged, but instead to absorb the injury and, if possible, to respond with kindness. The application involves cultivating a spirit of forgiveness, patience, and generosity, even when faced with injustice or personal offense. It requires a conscious effort to resist the urge for retribution and to seek peace.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This teaching is a crucial part of Jesus' redefinition of righteousness and the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven. It contrasts the outward-focused justice of the Old Covenant with the inward-focused, grace-driven ethic of the New Covenant. It foreshadows the ultimate act of non-retaliation and self-sacrifice in Jesus' own crucifixion, where he absorbed the sin of the world without seeking vengeance. It aligns with the overarching biblical narrative of God's persistent mercy and call for humanity to reflect that mercy.

Analogies

One analogy to understand "eye for eye" as a limit is a balanced scale. If one side of the scale is tipped by an offense, the other side is tipped back only to the same degree, restoring balance, not to overcompensate. In contrast, Jesus' teaching is like choosing to remove the scale altogether and, instead, offering to help lift the burden that caused the imbalance. Another analogy is a rule in a game that prevents escalation. "Eye for eye" prevents a minor foul from leading to a brawl. Jesus' teaching then proposes a different game entirely, one where players are encouraged to help their opponents up rather than to win by defeating them.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse is directly linked to the subsequent verses in Matthew 5, where Jesus elaborates on this principle by saying, "But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also" (Matthew 5:39). It also resonates with Jesus' teachings on loving your enemies (Matthew 5:44) and the importance of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15). Furthermore, it echoes the spirit of prophetic calls for justice that also emphasized mercy and righteousness, such as in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."