Matthew 5: Teaching about Revenge
38 “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
At this point, Jesus’ listeners are getting restless. Sure, everybody knows about the concept of “an eye for an eye;” however, this phrase means different things to different members of the crowd. The concept here is known as Lex talionis, and it has been described in both the Code of Hammurabi and the Ten Commandments. AI tells us about the Code of Hammurabi.
The Code of Hammurabi predates the Ten Commandments. The Code of Hammurabi, which dates back to around 1754 BCE, is one of the oldest deciphered writings of significant length in the world. In contrast, the Ten Commandments are believed to have been given to Moses around the 13th century BCE, during the Exodus from Egypt, as described in the Bible. While both sets of laws share some similarities, they emerged from different cultural and historical contexts. The Code of Hammurabi established the principle of “an eye for an eye” as a form of justice. This concept, known as Lex Talionis, was intended to ensure that punishments were proportional to the offenses committed. Specifically, it stated that if a person caused harm to another, the punishment should mirror the injury inflicted. For instance, if a free man gouged out the eye of another free man, he would face the same consequence.
The code also included distinctions based on social status, meaning that the penalties could vary depending on whether the individuals involved were nobles, commoners, or slaves. This complexity indicates that the principle was not merely about revenge but aimed at maintaining social order and fairness.
By comparison, the Mosaic Law was intended to LIMIT retribution, rather than mirroring it. While the Code of Hammurabi was intended to make sure the perpetrator suffered to the same degree as the victim, the Mosaic Law evolved into a different interpretation. (According to Chabad.org, in later centuries, Jewish practices would evolve to allow monetary compensation along with an apology.) “OK,” Jesus,” the people on the hillside think. “So what?” But what Jesus says next turns everything these people think they know on its head.
39 “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” In Jesus’ day, there were different kinds of slaps. A slap given with an open palm was a minor affair; however, a slap given by the back of the hand was considered an “insult slap” and punishable by a very heavy find according to the Mishnah BK 8.6. Here Jesus is advising his followers to forgive insults rather than seeking retribution. But Jesus is not ordering anyone to ignore evil. Laws are there for a reason and one of the functions of government is to protect the innocent while punishing those guilty of crimes.
40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. Now Jesus’ listeners are REALLY shocked! Court cases are notorious, for if the judge is corrupt, you can lose everything down to the garment you wear under your coat. Now Jesus is advising those who are already smarting from injustice to compound the injustice. Does Jesus mean everybody who gets sued should leave the court naked? No.
41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles.
There is a regulation allowing a Roman soldier to demand any passer-by to carry his gear for one mile. Now Jesus is advising that passer-by should do twice as much, carrying the gear two miles instead. In all of these examples, Jesus is teaching us to make free choices in love rather than clutching to everything we have while we mentally calculate the minimal amount we must give in any situation. That premise becomes evident in Jesus’ next pronouncement.
42 Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow. We are to give out of love; however, this does not mean we must yield to manipulation. My husband was once on the streets of Memphis when a man came up to him, asking for $10 with a story about a broken-down vehicle. My husband prayed quickly and then gave the man the money; however, he also told the man that he did not believe that story but that God had told him to give the man the money in the Name of Jesus. On the other hand, we have also refused to donate when we have felt the request only stemmed from calculated manipulation.
Living in an area where most of our neighbors are impoverished brings all kinds of challenges. We don’t have unlimited funds and must pray before donating. We do assist indigent patients with medical bills and feeding and we also help students in health-related courses with school fees. But again, we must pray before committing ourselves. Even though we have tried to be prudent through the years, we have occasionally found ourselves being used. For example, we belatedly learned that one man for whom we were paying seminary fees was also sourcing money from two other missionary couples! Needless to say, this man was a smooth talker who could have charmed the birds right off the trees. We only learned of the deception when one of the other missionaries mentioned his support for this man in passing. And that brings up another challenge.
Sooner or later, you are likely to find that you have been manipulated and ripped off. What can you do then? Our response is to release the money to Jesus, for it was in his Name that we gave it in the first place. That way, we don’t have to succumb to bitterness and we leave Jesus to sort out the manipulator. One of the laws of the Kingdom of Heaven is that the measure you give out is the measure you will receive. When you are generous and have been manipulated through no fault of your own, God still sees your generosity and knows that your heart was pure when you gave the money. But once you have identified someone as a manipulator, you aren’t obligated to give them anything else. Don’t confuse acting in love with acting in stupidity. May God help each one of us so that we continue to act lovingly but wisely!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, help us to trust You to show us when to give and when not to give. Help us to always act on the side of love, even if we find ourselves used and abused. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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