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In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared: “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.” (Matt. 5:17) Yet a few verses later, He seems to do exactly that. He says, “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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” (Matt. 5:38-42) This law Jesus is referring to is part of the Mosaic Law[1] and is often referred to by scholars as the “Law of the Tooth” or in Latin, the lex talionis. According to this law, if you cause injury to someone then you are required to repay him accordingly: “life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Ex 21:23-25 NKJV) But now Jesus is calling for no repayment. So wasn’t Jesus abolishing this law? No. And to help us see why not let’s consider three points.
1. Jesus did not deny the practice of this principle in the courtroom only in personal relationships.
In its original context, this “law of the tooth,” was intended as a guide for the government not personal vendettas. And “Jesus did not deny the validity of this principle for the courtroom, but He denied its usage in personal relationships (Matt. 5:38-42). There should be no personal retaliation or revenge.”[2]
2. Jesus wasn’t correcting a flaw in the Old Testament text but rather was correcting flawed interpretations of it.
As one Bible scholar notes, “The words You have heard that it was said…But I tell you appear repeatedly throughout Matthew 5, contrasting the Pharisaical interpretation of the Law with Jesus’ fulfilment of the Law’s true intent (v. 17).”[3] Indeed, “Many Jews sought to retaliate against Roman rule through violent resistance movements, but Jesus commanded his disciples to reverse the situation from taking to giving.”[4]
“Jesus expands this law to include not only physical acts but also the thoughts of our hearts”
3. Context, context, context!
Any Biblical passage taken in isolation is at risk of being misinterpreted. Pay attention to the larger context of these verses. What’s Jesus doing with each of these laws? He’s not abolishing them but, in fact, is taking them a step further showing “that the lifestyle of the kingdom of God is more demanding than what the law of Moses laid down.” , For example, the Mosaic Law says that we are not to murder or commit adultery. But Jesus expands this law to include not only physical acts but also the thoughts of our hearts. Similarly, when it comes to “eye for eye and tooth for tooth,” Jesus is again upping the ante. When God first gave this command to Moses it was already a huge leap forward from the surrounding cultures who often inflicted brutal punishments far beyond the crime. So God mercifully put limits in place.[5] [6]“But now Jesus takes a further step. ‘Don’t retaliate at all,’ he says to his disciples. ‘Don’t harbor a spirit of resentment; if someone does you an injury or puts you to inconvenience, show yourself master of the situation by doing something to his advantage…This way of reacting to violence and compulsion is the way of Christ” [7] who Himself “stood silent before his accusers, allowing himself to be crucified, thereby winning the ultimate battle over the enemy (Col 2:15)… Jesus came to defeat the work of Satan. He gave his followers authority…to overcome the power of the enemy (Lk 10:19) and the forces of evil in society (Eph. 6:13). James and Peter tells us to resist the devil (Jas 4:7; 1 Pe 5:9), yet Jesus also wants to conquer our desire to retaliate and avenge. God’s people must work for justice but not take personal revenge.”[8]
So, what Jesus said was true. He didn’t come and abolish the law. He did, however, come to fulfill it and to teach us what the true intent of the Law was from the beginning.
Ryan Hembree is a daily co-host, speaker, and writer of Bible Discovery. He also hosts a YouTube channel that shows the unity of the Bible and how science and Scripture fit together. Ryan also has an honorary Masters of Ministry in Creation Science from Phoenix University of Theology.
[1] It is first introduced in Exodus 21:23-25 and then restated in shortened forms in Leviticus 24:19-20 and Deuteronomy 19:21.
[2] Jack S. Deere, The Bible Knowledge Commentary, Old Testament, Deuteronomy 19:21, P.298, General Editors John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck.
[3] NIV Quest Study Bible, Aren’t there Times when we should Resist an Evil Person?, Matthew 5:39, P.1429.
[4] NIV Grace and Truth Study Bible, Matthew 5:38-42, R. Albert Mohler, Jr.
[5] F.F. Bruce, Hard Sayings of the Bible, Matthew 5:39 Turn the Other Cheek, P.362-363, General Editors Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Peter H. Davids, F.F. Bruce, Manfred T. Brauch.
[6] Though Jesus is taking these laws a step further in the eyes of the people, really, He’s just showing what the true intent of the Law always was.
[7] F.F. Bruce, Hard Sayings of the Bible, Matthew 5:39 Turn the Other Cheek, P.362-363, General Editors Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Peter H. Davids, F.F. Bruce, Manfred T. Brauch.
[8] NIV Quest Study Bible, Aren’t there Times when we should Resist an Evil Person?, Matthew 5:39, P.1429.
