Eye for an Eye

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When Jesus spoke against the principle “eye for an eye”, was He speaking against making the punishment fit the crime?
 
When Jesus spoke against the principle “eye for an eye”, was He speaking against making the punishment fit the crime?
The contrast that is often made is “eye for an eye” v. “turn the other cheek”. I believe Jesus was encouraging us, in our personal relationships with others, to forgive those who sin against us (as the Father forgives us) and to be as charitable as possible with others. This does not mean that as a matter of civil law, we as a society can’t impose obligations of restitution for crimes, etc.

Blessings,

Brian
 
When Jesus spoke against the principle “eye for an eye”, was He speaking against making the punishment fit the crime?
Yes, and revenge against your enemies in general.

Also note that eye for eye was not always taken literally, it most often meant various punishments or fines could fit a given offense not necessarily taking out the eye of the guilty party.
 
When Jesus spoke against the principle “eye for an eye”, was He speaking against making the punishment fit the crime?
My understanding is that the OT “eye for an eye” was a commandment of moderation.

Without moderation, things could quickly escalate into “a life for an eye”.
 
My understanding is that the OT “eye for an eye” was a commandment of moderation.

Without moderation, things could quickly escalate into “a life for an eye”.
I wouldn’t call it “moderation”. I call it a deterrent. Think about it. If you knew that causing someone injury would resort in incurring the same injury, wouldn’t you think twice?!?
 
When Jesus spoke against the principle “eye for an eye”, was He speaking against making the punishment fit the crime?
Hah! I can’t remember where I just read this, but the gist was “an eye for an eye” was meant to NOT overly-severely punish someone for a crime, for instance, not to execute someone for stealing a loaf of bread, so your response was in line with what I just read (I tend to read pretty orthodox “stuff”).

Glad
 
As I see it, like the poster above mentioned, it is not to overpunish the other person.

It is meant for one to give just what a person has been given, not more, not less, a fair exchange. (At least thats what I feel it was meant to be).

When Christ came to this earth, it was no longer necessary, because sins had or were soon to be redeemed unto Him.

The new covenant made us all family, between brothers, the Father should be the one dishing out punishment, lets just try we make amends before He gets back from work, shall we?

Jesus knew that God is the only one who has the right to judge.

Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.
 
I wouldn’t call it “moderation”. I call it a deterrent. Think about it. If you knew that causing someone injury would resort in incurring the same injury, wouldn’t you think twice?!?
That’s an interesting view from the other side of the fence. And it seems like it should work well.
 
The lex talionis (“eye for eye”) was intended to LIMIT revenge, not allow judicial dismemberment. In other words, if you chopped off my hand, I couldn’t kill you in return.

It was always understood among Jews as compensatory damages for suffering, pain, medical costs, and loss of earning ability as a result of the injury.

When Jesus quoted this, He continued, “But I say unto you…” and continued to say we should not seek redress.

It’s on this basis that suffering wrongs gladly is considered a spiritual work of mercy.
 
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