An Eye for an Eye

Stasia St. James said…

“Jesus would NOT favor capital punishment: an eye for an eye went out when Jesus came in.”

Matthew 5:38 says, (Jesus speaking) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Just because Jesus said, “You have heard it said, … but I tell you …”, that does not mean that he is abolishing the “You have heard it said, …” part. Read Matthew 5:27. Matthew 5:17 says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.”

Jesus is not saying that if someone rapes your daughter, then you should offer your other daughter to the rapist as well. The “strike” on the cheek that he has mentioned refers to something that doesn’t cause a serious injury, but is only insulting. The word “resist” is thought by some to mean in the context of a court of law.

Exodus 21:23 says, “If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, …”. Note that in the previous verse it talks about in what situation this applies. “If men are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely…”. Note also in this verse that the woman’s husband can demand compensation in court if the injury is less than serious. Exodus 21:23 is not talking about premeditated acts. An issue of contention among the Jews during the time of Christ was whether this “law of retaliation” was also optional in cases of serious injury, depending on the demands of victim (or victim’s family). This law was designed by God to prevent people from escalating violence against each other (there were no police or jails at the time this law was given). This law is generalized in Leviticus 24:17-22.

There are many cases in the Law of Moses where the killing of law breakers (including murderers) was not optional because the sin was not just against another person, but against God. God warns that the curses upon the land which result from murder will not be atoned for if these sentences are not carried out. (Numbers 35:30-33) These laws have nothing to with the “law of retaliation” and I don’t see how Jesus was putting end to any these with his statement in Matthew 5:38. But Jesus did take the curses of sin upon his body on the cross (thus fulfilling the law), so believers in Him do not have to be afraid of them. But for those who don’t believe, the curse of the Law still applies and they should be afraid.

In conclusion, Jesus is not saying that we should let people walk all over us. He is saying that we should not make a big deal over trivial matters. Jesus did not teach that people should not seek justice for themselves and others who have been wronged. God hates lawlessness and injustice. These terms describe the modern liberalism of today. I’ll respond to the rest of the comment in a later post.