What is the meaning of Matthew 5:38? You have heard - Jesus addresses listeners who have been taught Scripture since childhood (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) and regularly hear it read in synagogue (Luke 4:16-17). - As in the earlier “You have heard” statements (Matthew 5:21, 27, 31, 33), He signals that a familiar teaching is about to be examined in light of the heart-standard God always intended (Matthew 5:20). - The phrase reminds us that merely hearing the Law cannot produce righteousness; it must shape motives and actions (James 1:22; Romans 2:13). that it was said - Jesus cites what was publicly taught from the Law of Moses—civil legislation given through God’s inspired Word (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:19-21; Deuteronomy 19:21). - Those statutes were: • Judicial, meant for courts and elders, not private vendettas (Deuteronomy 17:8-12). • Restrictive, limiting retaliation so punishment matched the offense (Genesis 4:23-24 shows the opposite spirit). • Protective, upholding the value of every life and discouraging further violence (Numbers 35:31-33). - By saying “it was said,” Jesus affirms the original command’s authority while preparing to correct its misuse by individuals seeking personal revenge (Proverbs 20:22). ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ - The exact quotation, “Eye for eye and tooth for tooth” (Matthew 5:38), summarizes the lex talionis—“law of equal retribution.” - Intended purposes: • Justice: ensuring equity when harm occurred (Exodus 21:24). • Deterrence: making evil costly for the offender (Deuteronomy 19:21). • Mercy: preventing excessive payback by limiting punishment (Leviticus 24:20). - Common misuse in Jesus’ day turned this courtroom guideline into personal license to strike back. He will counter in the next verse, “But I tell you, do not resist an evil person” (Matthew 5:39), inviting disciples to forego retaliation and trust God’s ultimate justice (Romans 12:19; 1 Peter 2:23). - Living out the spirit of the command today means: • Leaving vengeance to lawful authorities when wronged (Romans 13:4). • Choosing forgiveness and proactive kindness (Luke 6:27-28; 1 Thessalonians 5:15). • Remembering that Christ Himself bore injustice to save us, setting the model for patient endurance (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:21-23). summary Matthew 5:38 recalls a God-given statute designed for equitable, courtroom justice. Jesus affirms its truth yet exposes how it was twisted into personal retaliation. Properly understood, “Eye for eye and tooth for tooth” restrains vengeance, upholds human worth, and points believers to entrust judgment to God while responding to wrongs with grace—an ethic fully revealed in the Savior who bore our sins without striking back. |
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