The concept of “an eye for an eye” is one of the most well-known phrases from the Bible, often invoked to illustrate the idea of retribution and justice. It’s found in various forms throughout the Old Testament and has been the subject of extensive debate and interpretation over the centuries. While the phrase itself appears straightforward, its meaning and implications within the broader context of biblical teachings are far from simple.
In this article, we embark on a journey through the pages of the Bible to explore the origins, interpretations, and evolution of the “eye for an eye” principle. We will delve into relevant Bible verses, examining how this concept intersects with ideas of justice, revenge, forgiveness, and the transformative teachings of Jesus Christ. Join us as we uncover the layers of meaning behind this ancient maxim and seek to understand its profound relevance in today’s world.
60 Helpful Bible Verses About An Eye For An Eye
1. Exodus 21:24
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
2. Leviticus 24:19-20
“If anyone injures their neighbor, whatever they have done is to be done to them: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.”
3. Deuteronomy 19:21
“Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
4. Matthew 5:38-39
“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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
5. Romans 12:19
“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.”
6. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.”
7. Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
8. 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
9. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
10. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Understanding the “Eye for an Eye” Concept
11. Exodus 21:24
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
12. Leviticus 24:19-20
“If anyone injures their neighbor, whatever they have done is to be done to them: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury.”
13. Deuteronomy 19:21
“Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
14. Matthew 5:38-39
“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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
15. Romans 12:19
“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.”
16. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.”
17. Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
18. 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
19. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
20. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Revenge vs. Retribution in Scripture:**
21. Romans 12:17-19
“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.”
22. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you.”
23. Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
24. Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
25. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.'”
26. Luke 6:35-36
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
27. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
28. Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
29. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
30. Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”
Forgiveness and Mercy in the Bible
31. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
32. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
33. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
34. Psalm 103:10-12
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
35. Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
36. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
37. Psalm 32:1-2
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.”
38. Micah 7:18
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.”
39. 2 Corinthians 2:10
“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake.”
40. Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Jesus’ Teachings on Love and Forgiveness
41. Matthew 5:38-39
“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 anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
42. Matthew 5:43-45
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.”
43. Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
44. Luke 6:35-36
“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”
45. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
46. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
47. John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
48. Romans 13:10
“Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”
49. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
50. 1 John 4:7
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
Modern Interpretations of Biblical Justice
51. Micah 6:8
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
52. Galatians 6:2
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
53. James 1:27
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
54. Matthew 25:35-36
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
55. Proverbs 31:8-9
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
56. Isaiah 1:17
“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”
57. Romans 2:11
“For God does not show favoritism.”
58. Proverbs 31:20
“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”
59. Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.”
60. Luke 10:25-37
(The Parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrates the importance of showing compassion and mercy to those in need.)
Conclusion
It’s clear that the Bible’s message on justice extends beyond mere retaliation. It calls us to seek a higher form of justice, one rooted in compassion and reconciliation. “An eye for an eye” reminds us of the need for accountability, but it also challenges us to transcend the cycle of vengeance in favor of forgiveness and healing.
One thing is clear, the Bible’s wisdom endures, offering us guidance in our pursuit of a more just and harmonious world. Whether we find inspiration in the Old Testament’s call for proportionate justice or in the New Testament’s message of love and reconciliation, the scriptures remind us of the transformative power of mercy and forgiveness. Ultimately, they challenge us to embody the very principles we seek in our quest for justice, compassion, and lasting peace.
