EXPLORE IT - Matthew 5:38-42

Matthew 5:38-42  "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. ³⁹ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.  ⁴⁰ And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.  ⁴¹ If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.  ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

The prescription found in our passage today, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth,’ is an example of lex talionis.  Lex talionis is translated “the law of retaliation.”  This principle establishes that the punishment for a crime should correspond in degree and kind to the offense committed.  ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth’ lays the foundation for justice in the Old Testament and the Israelite Nation (Exodus 21, Leviticus 24, and Deuteronomy 19).  Lex talionis serves two purposes.  First, it limits the harshness of punishment to an exact equivalent to the crime, and no more.  Second, it specifies the kind of punishment the wrong-doers deserved.  The punishment could be retracted at the request of the original victim. 

Lex talionis was prescribed for the judicial system only, not for individual, personal relationships.  The law never allowed individuals to take these matters into their own hands, (“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.” Leviticus 19:18).  We are called to not seek revenge when we are wronged and not resist an evil person.

Now, this does not mean if someone hurts us in such a way as it is against the law that we should not press charges and work our way through the legal system.  Scripture tells us that we are to obey the “governing authorities” (Romans 13).  This passage is calling us to love one another, even when we are wronged, and not seek revenge, it is not calling us to put up with abusive behavior.  We are called to be light in a dark world, we are not called to be doormats.

Overall, this passage encourages us to love those who intend us harm and not to seek revenge.  Loving them unconditionally reveals to them the love of Jesus.  Maybe our unexpected response of love will lead them towards salvation!

Blessings,
Pastor Amy