Eye for an Eye: No Justification for Vengeance

Dear Friend,

When I was with you recently, I heard several references to
the phrase “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” We didn’t talk about it
at the time, but I thought it merited a few special comments. That is reason
for this letter.

The first time the sentence occurs is in Exodus 21:23-25: “If
any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for
tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for
stripe.”

The actual context is in reference to men who are fighting
and, in the process, a pregnant woman is hurt, and she has a miscarriage. This
is in the law that God gave to the people of Israel the same time He gave the Ten
Commandments.

This is not teaching vengeance; it is a law given for
judges. It is putting upper limits on what a judge can do in sentencing.
It seems very harsh, but in reality it was humane. If a man lost an eye in a
fight, vengeance would say, “I will kill him.” Even an unjust judge might allow
for the death penalty for losing an eye. But God said the most a man can
be punished is the same as he inflicted; that is, an eye for an eye, not death
for an eye.

In the middle of the 1700s in England, there were over 200
crimes for which you could be hanged. God was saying in Exodus that the
punishment should fit the crime. God was not teaching vengeance. He was setting
an upper limit for punishment for crimes. It should not be greater than the
crime itself. Most of us would not vote for “eye for eye” laws. Some of our
laws are easier; some are harsher. In either case, it is not an authorization
for personal vengeance.

“When a man causes disfigurement in his neighbor, as he has
done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for
tooth, as he has disfigured a man, he shall be disfigured” (Leviticus 24:19-20).

Deuteronomy 19:15-21 tells us very clearly the determination
of this “eye for eye” is the responsibility of the judges, not the
responsibility of the injured person.

Jesus really made it clear when He said, “You have heard
that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say do not
resist one who is evil. But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to
him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take your coat, let him
have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him
two miles” (Matt. 5:38-41).

There are related paragraphs in the Bible, like Romans
12:14-21.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony
with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be
careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far
as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear
friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is
hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this,
you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.”

Some of you are in prison because you took vengeance into
your own hands, or you returned evil for evil. At the time, you felt justified
in doing it. If you thoroughly reject the false view of “an eye for eye,”
you will find it easier to confess to God your own sin and so be forgiven. If
you confess your sin with a belief that you had God’s endorsement for it, of
course you will not be forgiven, and you will stay unhappy.

Neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament teaches
revenge. Don’t ever quote “an eye for an eye” as an excuse for revenge. That is
misquoting Scripture. That is trying to get God to endorse your actions.

Your friend in Christ,

Jim Wilson

This post coordinates with today’s reading in the To
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