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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.'</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/matthew/5-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/40_Mat_05_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Matthew 5:38 - Love Your Enemies" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.'" /><script type="application/javascript" 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id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/5-37.htm" title="Matthew 5:37">◄</a> Matthew 5:38 <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm" title="Matthew 5:39">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/matthew/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220You have heard that it was said, &#8216Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘EYE FOR EYE, and TOOTH FOR TOOTH.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You have heard that it was said, &#8216AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.&#8217<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH [punishment that fits the offense].’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />&#8220You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You know you have been taught, "An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You heard that it was said: Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Ye heard that it was said: Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Ye have heard, that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />You have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You have heard that it is said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said, “An eye in exchange for an eye, and a tooth in exchange for a tooth.”<div class="vheading2"><b>NT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a></span><br />You have heard that it was said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a></span><br />Ye have heard that it was said, “Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth:”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a></span><br />Ye have heard that it hath been said, "An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a></span><br />"You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>"Ye heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth,'<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a></span><br /><FR>Ye have heard, that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:<Fr><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/matthew/5-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1137" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Love Your Enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">37</span>Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/greek/191.htm" title="191: Ēkousate (V-AIA-2P) -- To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.">You have heard</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/2046.htm" title="2046: errethē (V-AIP-3S) -- Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.">it was said,</a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: Ophthalmon (N-AMS) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">‘Eye</a> <a href="/greek/473.htm" title="473: anti (Prep) -- A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3788.htm" title="3788: ophthalmou (N-GMS) -- The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.">eye</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3599.htm" title="3599: odonta (N-AMS) -- A tooth. Perhaps from the base of esthio; a tooth.">tooth</a> <a href="/greek/473.htm" title="473: anti (Prep) -- A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.">for</a> <a href="/greek/3599.htm" title="3599: odontos (N-GMS) -- A tooth. Perhaps from the base of esthio; a tooth.">tooth.’</a> </span> <span class="reftext">39</span>But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a></span><br />eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-19.htm">Leviticus 24:19-20</a></span><br />If anyone injures his neighbor, whatever he has done must be done to him: / fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. Just as he injured the other person, the same must be inflicted on him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a></span><br />You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-17.htm">Romans 12:17-19</a></span><br />Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. / If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. / Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-9.htm">1 Peter 3:9</a></span><br />Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/20-22.htm">Proverbs 20:22</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will avenge this evil!” Wait on the LORD, and He will save you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-29.htm">Proverbs 24:29</a></span><br />Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will repay the man according to his work.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-29.htm">Luke 6:29-30</a></span><br />If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone takes your cloak, do not withhold your tunic as well. / Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what is yours, do not demand it back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/5-15.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:15</a></span><br />Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-7.htm">1 Corinthians 6:7</a></span><br />The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means that you are thoroughly defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/50-6.htm">Isaiah 50:6</a></span><br />I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-30.htm">Lamentations 3:30</a></span><br />Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/5-6.htm">James 5:6</a></span><br />You have condemned and murdered the righteous, who did not resist you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-23.htm">1 Peter 2:23</a></span><br />When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-21.htm">Proverbs 25:21-22</a></span><br />If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. / For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You have heard that it has been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:</p><p class="hdg">An eye.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/21-22.htm">Exodus 21:22-27</a></b></br> If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart <i>from her</i>, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges <i>determine</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/24-19.htm">Leviticus 24:19,20</a></b></br> And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/19-19.htm">Deuteronomy 19:19</a></b></br> Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/89-1.htm">An</a> <a href="/matthew/5-29.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-19.htm">Tooth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/13-28.htm">An</a> <a href="/matthew/6-22.htm">Eye</a> <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">Heard</a> <a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Tooth</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">17. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">38. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a></span><br><span class="reftext">48. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>You have heard that it was said</b><br />This phrase introduces a common teaching method used by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. The Greek word for "heard" (ἀκούω, akouō) implies not just hearing with the ears but understanding and internalizing a teaching. Jesus is addressing His audience's familiarity with the Mosaic Law, which they have been taught from a young age. This phrase sets the stage for Jesus to contrast the traditional interpretation of the law with His deeper, more spiritual understanding.<p><b>Eye for eye and tooth for tooth</b><br />This phrase is a direct reference to the Old Testament law, specifically found in <a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a>, <a href="/leviticus/24-20.htm">Leviticus 24:20</a>, and <a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a>. The principle of "lex talionis" (law of retaliation) was intended to limit retribution and ensure justice was proportionate. In Hebrew, the phrase is "עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן" (ayin tachat ayin), emphasizing equivalence in justice. Historically, this law was revolutionary in its time, as it sought to prevent excessive punishment and personal vendettas, promoting a fair and balanced legal system. However, Jesus is about to reveal a higher standard of righteousness that transcends mere legalistic adherence, pointing towards mercy and forgiveness as the ultimate fulfillment of the law.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) <span class= "bld">An eye for an eye.</span>--Here again the scribes first took their stand on the letter, regardless of the aim and purpose, of the Law, and then expanded it in a wrong direction. As originally given, it was a check on the "wild justice" of revenge. It said, where the equilibrium of right had been disturbed by outrage, that the work of the judge was not to do more than restore the equilibrium, unless, as in the case of theft, some further penalty was necessary for the prevention of crime. It was, in its essence, a limit in both directions. Not less than the "eye for an eye," for that might lead to connivance in guilt; not more, for that would open a fresh score of wrong. The scribes in their popular casuistry made the rule one not of judicial action only, but of private retaliation; and it was thus made the sanction of the vindictive temper that forgives nothing.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 38-48.</span> - The two remaining examples of the current teaching of the Law are very closely connected together, and, in fact, our Lord's corrections of them are intermingled in <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-36</a>. Yet the subjects are really distinct. In the first (vers. 38-42) our Lord speaks of the reception of injuries, in the second (vers. 43-48) of the treatment of those who do them. Godet's remarks (in his summary of <a href="/luke/6-27.htm">Luke 6:27-45</a>) on the use made by St. Luke of these examples are especially instructive. "These last two antitheses, which terminate in Matthew in the lofty thought (ver. 48) of man being elevated by love to the perfection of God, furnish Luke with the leading idea of the discourse as he presents it, namely, charity as the law of the new life." <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 38-42.</span> - <span class="accented">The reception of injuries. </span> The Law inculcated that the injured should obtain from those who did the wrong exact compensation (on this being properly a command, not merely a permission, <span class="accented">vide</span> Mozley, 'Ruling Ideas,' etc., pp. 182, sqq.). Our Lord inculcates giving up of all in-sistance upon one's rights as an injured person, and entire submission to injuries, even as far as proffering the opportunity for fresh wrongs. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 38.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth</span>. No short phrase could more accurately describe the spirit of the Mosaic legislation. Offences against individuals were to be punished by the injured individual receiving back, as it were, the exact compensation from him who had injured him. While this was originally observed literally, it was in Mishnic times (and probably in the time of our Lord) softened to payment of money (<span class="accented">vide</span> Lightfoot, 'Hor. Hebr.'). The phrase comes three times in the Pentateuch (<a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a>; <a href="/leviticus/24-20.htm">Leviticus 24:20</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a>). Notice: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> The LXX. has the accusative in each case, although only in the first does a verb precede. Probably the expression had already become proverbial in Greek even before the translation of the LXX. <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> The Hebrew of <a href="/deuteronomy/19-21.htm">Deuteronomy 19:21</a> is slightly different from that of the other two passages, and as the preposition there used (<span class="hebrew">ב</span>) is not so necessarily rendered by <span class="greek">ἀντί</span>, that passage is perhaps the least likely of the three to have been in our Lord's mind now. It seems likely, however, that he was not thinking of any one of the three passages in particular. The words served him as a summary of the Law in this respect. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div><span class="word">You have heard</span><br /><span class="grk">Ἠκούσατε</span> <span class="translit">(Ēkousate)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_191.htm">Strong's 191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that</span><br /><span class="grk">ὅτι</span> <span class="translit">(hoti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> </span><span class="str2">Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">it was said,</span><br /><span class="grk">ἐρρέθη</span> <span class="translit">(errethē)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Aorist Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2046.htm">Strong's 2046: </a> </span><span class="str2">Probably a fuller form of rheo; an alternate for epo in certain tenses; to utter, i.e. Speak or say.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Eye</span><br /><span class="grk">Ὀφθαλμὸν</span> <span class="translit">(Ophthalmon)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> </span><span class="str2">The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀντὶ</span> <span class="translit">(anti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_473.htm">Strong's 473: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eye</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀφθαλμοῦ</span> <span class="translit">(ophthalmou)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3788.htm">Strong's 3788: </a> </span><span class="str2">The eye; fig: the mind's eye. From optanomai; the eye; by implication, vision; figuratively, envy.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and</span><br /><span class="grk">καὶ</span> <span class="translit">(kai)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> </span><span class="str2">And, even, also, namely. </span><br /><br /><span class="word">tooth</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀδόντα</span> <span class="translit">(odonta)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3599.htm">Strong's 3599: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tooth. Perhaps from the base of esthio; a 'tooth'.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for</span><br /><span class="grk">ἀντὶ</span> <span class="translit">(anti)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_473.htm">Strong's 473: </a> </span><span class="str2">A primary particle; opposite, i.e. Instead or because of.</span><br /><br /><span class="word">tooth.’</span><br /><span class="grk">ὀδόντος</span> <span class="translit">(odontos)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/greek/strongs_3599.htm">Strong's 3599: </a> </span><span class="str2">A tooth. Perhaps from the base of esthio; a 'tooth'.</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/matthew/5-38.htm">Matthew 5:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:38 You have heard that it was said (Matt. 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