

The New Testament teaching instructs us to love our enemies, not to seek revenge against them. In the Old Testament, it was God’s way of making sure justice was served in the manner that He wanted it served.
DOES THE BIBLE SAY EYE FOR AN EYE LICENSE
But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also (Matt 5:38-39). The biblical phrase an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is not a license for us to take revenge on someone who has wronged us. ’ This is the greatest and first commandment. Jesus quoted an eye for an eye, saying, You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. He said: “‘You must love Jehovah your God. In contrast, Jesus emphasized that love is the dominant spirit of God’s Law.

a ground for authorizing private resentments, and all the excesses committed by a vindictive spirit.” By encouraging vindictiveness, those religious leaders distorted the intent of God’s Law.- Mark 7:13.

In Roman civilization, the law of retaliation ( Latin: lex talionis) 1 bears the same principle that a. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. Bible scholar Adam Clarke noted: “It seems that the Jews had made this law. ' An eye for an eye ' ( Biblical Hebrew:, Ain takhat ain) a is a commandment found in the Book of Exodus 21:2327 expressing the principle of reciprocal justice measure for measure. The often quoted Bible verse you occasionally see in the old westerns is typically, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth, so where did this come from It comes from Exodus 21 but also Deuteronomy 19:21 which says, Your eye shall not pity. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’. Note Jesus’ expression “you heard that it was said.” He was apparently referring to some Jewish religious leaders who taught retaliation. Matthew 5:38-39 ESV / 2 helpful votesNot Helpful. Jesus knew that some had misinterpreted the rule of “an eye for an eye.” He corrected them when he said: “You heard that it was said: ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ However, I say to you: Do not resist the one who is wicked, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other also to him.”- Matthew 5:38, 39.
