Matthew 5:38"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.'
The setting
Galilee, ~28 AD. Jesus quotes the ancient law that His listeners know by heart, setting up a radical contrast. Modern-day Israel.
The emotion here: building tension toward radical revelation
The original word
ophthalmón (ὀφθαλμὸν) — eye, but representing measured justice, not personal revenge
Why it matters
Eye for an eye was actually progressive law, limiting revenge to proportional response rather than escalating violence
Read with care
What most readers miss in Matthew 5:38
Jesus isn't condemning the Old Testament law but showing how His kingdom operates by different principles
Common misconceptionPeople think Jesus is criticizing Old Testament justice as wrong, but 'eye for an eye' was actually mercy that prevented excessive revenge. Jesus is introducing kingdom principles that go beyond even merciful justice.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Matthew 5:38
Bible Genome reading
Matthew 5:38 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Matthew 5:38 comes from the book of Matthew, written during the gospel period. These words are attributed to Jesus. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 15% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the letter genre of biblical literature. Key themes include justice, retaliation. Notable phrases: eye for an eye; tooth for a tooth.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Matthew 5:38 mean to you, today?
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