Matthew 5:38
What does Matthew 5:38 mean?
A plain-English look at Matthew 5:38 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Matthew 5:38 means
Jesus introduces His next reinterpretation by referring to the well-known Old Testament principle of "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth" (Lex Talionis). This law, found in Exodus 21:24, was given to limit vengeance and ensure justice in ancient Israel, prescribing proportional retribution in legal contexts. This traditional understanding of proportional justice serves as the backdrop for Jesus' radical call to non-resistance and sacrificial love.
Matthew 5:38 in context
Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes
Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.
- Kingdom ethics
- Inner righteousness
- True blessedness
- Light and salt
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You have knowledge that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Ye heard that it was said: Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye have heard that it has been said, Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.
Context
This verse introduces another of Jesus' "You have heard... but I say unto you" contrasts, this time addressing the Old Testament law concerning retaliation. It presents the traditional understanding of proportional justice, setting the stage for Jesus' revolutionary command to not resist evil, which is explicated in the subsequent verses.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 21:22
And if men strive together, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart, and yet no harm follow; he shall be surely fined, according as the woman’s husband shall lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
- Deuteronomy 19:21
And thine eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
- Deuteronomy 19:19
then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to do unto his brother: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.
- Leviticus 24:19
And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbor; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him:
Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:38
Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.
What Matthew 5:38 teaches us about kingdom ethics
What Matthew 5:38 teaches us about inner righteousness
What Matthew 5:38 teaches us about true blessedness
What Matthew 5:38 teaches us about light and salt
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