Sermon on the Mount Eye for an Eye

Matthew 5:38-42

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 someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If
someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and
do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. (5:38-42)
The law given to Moses contained practical principles for the nation of Israel, and punishment
in relationship to offense was part of that legal code
An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth (found in Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and
Deuteronomy 19:21) was not given to encourage revenge, but given for the use of the judges
to control and limit the response to an offense
If one with malicious intent hurts another and causes him to lose an eye or a tooth, the
punishment was the exact loss of what he took from his victim
This law served as a prescription for justice, as a deterrent to wrongdoing, and as a means of
restricting retaliation that could be taken for an offense
Martin Lloyd Jones: If any harm is done to us, the immediate natural instinct is to hit back,
and not only that, but do more than hit back. . . A slight injury, and the man injured will have
his vengeance, including bodily injury to the other; he might even kill him. . . The punishment
must fit the crime and not be in excess of it. . . That is the purpose of this Mosaic legislation.
The principle of justice must come in, and justice is never excessive in its demands. (Studies
in the Sermon on the Mount, pp. 239-240)
Just as Jesus reinterpreted the passages about murder, adultery, divorce and oaths by
emphasizing the condition of the heart, here He provides insight into life in the kingdom of
God by introducing a higher principle than justified retaliation
Though the law allows us to obtain punishment when offended (but clearly limited to that
offense), Jesus teaches what the Apostle Paul called a more excellent way (I Cor 12:31)
The Sermon on the Mount was taught to convey the spirit of the law rather than the letter (to
confront Pharisaic legalism), and here Jesus is not introducing a new brand of legalism
Martin Lloyd Jones: We must not think of it as being a new kind of law to replace old Mosaic
law; it is rather a matter of emphasizing the spirit of the law. . . . Is it not rather tragic that
those of us who are under grace always seem to want to be under law? (p. 241)
So we apply this truth not in a mechanical way, but as a matter of prayer in which we seek
God for direction in dealing with others (in all your ways acknowledge Him Proverbs 3:6)
Jesus explains that following Him means denying ourselves daily and taking His cross (16:24)
The Apostle Paul teaches that life according to the Spirit (Romans 8:4) means we are not to
be overcome by evil, but instead we are to overpower evil with good (Romans 12:21)
This instruction is given to Jesus disciples to those who follow Him and to whom the
beautiful attitudes were shared not for nations or for the world. . . . For the world and for
a nation, and for non-Christians the law still applies (Jones, p. 243) compare Rom 13, I Pet 2
But this more excellent way was demonstrated by Jesus who did not consider equality with
God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing and went to the cross (Phil 2:6-8)
This truth is directed to the individual who is poor in spirit and hungry and thirsty for
righteousness God will direct his steps and He will be conformed to the image of His Son