Eye for Eye—Matthew 5:38–42 (Bible Study with Hank Hanegraaff)

Hank Hanegraaff, the host of the Bible Answer Man Broadcast and the Hank Unplugged Podcast, briefly summarizes the earlier portion of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1–37), which he covered in previous videos, and then he reads Matthew 5:38–42: The Lord Jesus says, “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. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (NIV). There is a note in The Orthodox Study Bible (Thomas Nelson, 2008) that amplifies the point. The story is of a desert saint who found his home in process of being looted. As the looting took place, he prayed for the looters. When the bandits left, the saint realized that they had taken everything except his walking cane. The saint pursued the bandits for many days until he found them and gave them the cane that they had neglected to steal. Witnessing the utter humility of the saint, the thieves were undone. They not only returned his possessions (meager as they were) but, by his Christlike act, converted to the Savior of the saint (note at Matt. 5: 39–42). Thus, on the one hand, courts are to execute just penalties (eye for eye; tooth for tooth; life for life, etc.). But on the other, as Moses makes plain, there is a higher law—the law of love. A law by which we don’t retaliate; avenge or demand our rights. But rather by which we love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Leviticus 19: 18).

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