Matthew 5 38

Matthew 5:38 kjv

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Matthew 5:38 nkjv

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

Matthew 5:38 niv

"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'

Matthew 5:38 esv

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'

Matthew 5:38 nlt

"You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 38 Meaning

Matthew 5:38 presents Jesus referencing a foundational principle from the Old Testament Law known as lex talionis, which translates to "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." This phrase, which His audience had long heard and understood, originated as a rule for civil justice, ensuring that punishment was proportionate to the offense and preventing excessive, unrestrained vengeance. However, in Jesus' day, it had often come to be misapplied by individuals as a justification for personal retaliation. Jesus quotes this widely accepted interpretation before proceeding to introduce a new, higher standard for His disciples concerning personal grievances.

Matthew 5 38 Context

Matthew 5:38 is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5-7), specifically within the section known as the "Six Antitheses" (Mt 5:21-48). In this section, Jesus directly confronts common interpretations of the Mosaic Law, beginning with "You have heard that it was said..." followed by "But I say to you...". This structure indicates that Jesus is not abrogating the Law, but rather reinterpreting it, deepening its meaning, and revealing its ultimate spiritual intent for those who follow Him. His teaching on "an eye for an eye" clarifies that while the lex talionis served a specific, judicial purpose in the Old Covenant by setting boundaries on penalties, it was being misapplied to justify personal retaliation. Jesus then elevates the standard of personal conduct to one of non-resistance to evil and radical love, transcending mere proportionate retribution. This new standard reflects the righteousness that must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (Mt 5:20) for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 5 38 Word analysis

• You have heard (Greek: ἠκούσατε, ēkousate): A plural verb, directly addressing Jesus' audience. It signifies a widely familiar, commonly accepted teaching, indicating that the interpretation of this law was part of their cultural and religious understanding, likely taught by the religious leaders of their day.
• that it was said (Greek: ἐρρέθη, errethē): This is an aorist passive verb, indicating that something "was spoken" or "had been said" by someone else, implying divine authority (referring back to the Mosaic Law from God) or established tradition. It points to a respected and acknowledged source.
• ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ (Greek: ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος, ophthalmon anti ophthalmo kai odonta anti odontos): This is a direct quotation of the lex talionis.
  • Original Source and Purpose: Found in the Law of Moses (Ex 21:24, Lev 24:20, Dt 19:21). It served primarily as a principle for the judiciary system of Israel.
  • Limitation of Retaliation: Crucially, it was a limiting principle. It ensured that punishment did not exceed the crime, thereby preventing uncontrolled cycles of escalating vengeance within the community (e.g., not an entire family or life for an eye).
  • Proportionate Justice: Its aim was to establish proportional justice, ensuring that legal restitution or penalty precisely matched the damage inflicted, promoting fairness in judicial settings.
  • Civil, Not Personal: The command was given to judges in the courts, not to individuals for personal application. It primarily dictated what level of restitution or punishment could be lawfully meted out, often involving financial compensation rather than literal physical maiming.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "You have heard that it was said...": This phrase acts as a significant bridge in Jesus' teaching. It acknowledges a familiar, traditionally taught aspect of the Law before Jesus contrasts it with a deeper, often more demanding spiritual truth, introduced by "But I say to you." This structure underscores His unique authority to interpret and reveal the ultimate intent of God's commands.
  • "‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth’": While deeply rooted in Mosaic Law, Jesus highlights how this judicial principle, designed for a legal framework, was being culturally misappropriated by some for justifying individual, personal revenge. This set the stage for His call to a transformed heart that expresses love, even to those who cause harm.

Matthew 5 38 Bonus section

The teaching in Matthew 5:38 and subsequent verses highlights a critical distinction between the roles of personal discipleship and state governance. While Jesus' instruction to His followers (as individuals in personal conduct) moves beyond the "eye for an eye" principle to mercy and love, it does not nullify the state's responsibility to administer justice proportionally for civil wrongs, as indicated in passages like Romans 13:4 which affirms that governing authorities bear the sword to execute wrath on the wrongdoer. Jesus' teaching, therefore, speaks to the higher ethical standard of the Kingdom of God that believers are called to live by personally, which prioritizes non-resistance to evil on a personal level and radical love, transcending merely seeking deserved recompense. It shows that true righteousness extends to the deepest attitudes of the heart towards those who cause harm, shifting from a mindset of demand and recompense to one of gracious endurance and spiritual triumph through love.

Matthew 5 38 Commentary

In Matthew 5:38, Jesus addresses a widely recognized principle from the Law that was largely misunderstood or misapplied by the people of His time. The lex talionis was fundamentally a civil judicial principle given to Moses, meant to limit the severity of punishment and ensure proportionate justice within the legal system, thereby preventing endless cycles of vendetta. It was a rule for magistrates, not individuals, and often resulted in monetary compensation rather than literal bodily harm. However, it had devolved in common understanding to justify personal retaliation, encouraging a tit-for-tat mentality. Jesus, as He does throughout the Sermon on the Mount, elevates the spirit of the Law over its strict letter when applied to personal conduct. He challenges His disciples to move beyond this transactional understanding of justice to embrace a radical ethic of non-retaliation and love. This does not abolish the need for justice administered by civil authorities, but it profoundly reshapes the believer's personal response to wrong, calling them to mercy and forgiveness. For instance, instead of demanding retribution when slighted, believers are called to endure wrong for the sake of peace and reconciliation, reflecting God’s own boundless grace.