![]() Instead, He is delegating the responsibility of the civil authority (to penalize criminals rightfully) from the responsibility we all have in a personal context to love our neighbors and enemies. Jesus is not revoking the Old Testament decree of "Eye for an eye" ( Matthew 5:17). Photo Credit: Carl Bloch/Wikimedia Commons Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” ( Matthew 5:38-42). If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. “An eye for an eye” was thus intended to be a guiding ethic for legislators and judges it was not meant to advocate personal vengeance.įurthermore, Jesus condemns the practice of personal retaliation in the Sermon on the Mount saying, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you do not resist an evil person. ![]() The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury."įor both passages, the phrase is used in the circumstance of a court case before a civil authority such as a judge. From scripture, Exodus 21:23-25 states, "But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe." Leviticus 24:19-21 echoes this assertion, "Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |