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Eye for Eye. 38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’[ a] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go ...
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
This verse is part of the biblical law of personal injury, which requires equal retribution for equal harm. It is often cited as a source of the principle of justice and fairness, but also as a basis for violence and revenge.
The idiomatic biblical phrase "an eye for an eye" in Exodus and Leviticus (Hebrew: עין תחת עין, romanized: ayin tachat ayin) literally means 'an eye under/(in place of) an eye' while a slightly different phrase (עַיִן בְּעַיִן שֵׁן בְּשֵׁן, literally 'eye for an eye; tooth for a tooth') is used in another ...
Jesus quotes the law of retaliation (eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth) and challenges its application by his followers. He teaches them to love their enemies and not resist evil.
It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot." It's a testament to Christ's influence in changing mankind that modern readers often see "eye for an eye" as vicious or harsh.
Matthew 5:38 is the thirty-eighth verse of the fifth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament and is part of the Sermon on the Mount. This verse begins the antithesis on the commandment: "Eye for an eye".
