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Verse Takeaways
1
A Law to Limit Revenge
Commentators unanimously explain that "an eye for an eye" was originally a legal principle for judges, not a rule for personal conduct. Its purpose was to restrict unlimited vengeance by ensuring punishment was proportional to the crime. It was a system of justice, not a license for personal payback.
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Book Overview
Matthew
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Commentaries
8
AT Robertson
On Matthew 5:38
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (οφθαλμον αντ οφθαλμου κα οδοντα αντ οδοντος). Note αντ with the notion of exchange or …
Charles Spurgeon
On Matthew 5:38–43
19th Century
Preacher
You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say to you, that you resist not evil: but whoever shall…
John Calvin
On Matthew 5:38
16th Century
Theologian
An eye for an eye. Here another error is corrected. God had commanded, by His law (Leviticus 24:20), that judges and magistrat…
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John Gill
On Matthew 5:38
17th Century
Pastor
You have heard that it has been said
That is, to, or by them of old time, as is expressed in some of the foregoing instances,<…
Matthew Henry
On Matthew 5:38–42
17th Century
Minister
The plain instruction is: Suffer any injury that can be endured for the sake of peace, committing your concerns to the Lord's keeping. And the sum …
Thomas Aquinas
On Matthew 5:38–42
13th Century
Philosopher
You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye. Above, the Lord fulfilled the Law concerning permissive precept…