Questions and Answers

Question: The God of the Old Testament seems harsh, demanding “an eye for an eye” and “a tooth for a tooth.” Is it not true that Jesus came to do away with His Father’s law of cruel bondage?

Answer: Many Bible students have been shocked by God’s “eye for an eye” command in Exodus 21:23–25. They imagine that during Old Testament times, anyone causing the loss of an eye, hand or foot would automatically suffer the identical loss. Many wonder: “How could such a cruel command come from a loving Father?”

We read: “But if any lasting harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, and hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exodus 21:23–25). God is describing the principle of just recompense. Yet “an eye for an eye” was not to be applied in every case. Notice the very next verse: “And if a man strikes the eye of his servant, or the eye of his maidservant, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for the sake of his eye” (v. 26).  God prescribed a just recompense—freedom for the injured servant—rather than a retributive maiming.

A few verses earlier, God decreed that one who injures another must provide a just payment for “loss of his time, and shall provide for him to be thoroughly healed” (vv. 18–19). This law was a type of workman’s compensation ensuring that the injured would receive just compensation for their injuries and lost productivity. Rather than showing God’s cruelty, His laws and judgments taught the Israelites how to love their neighbors by applying the principle of just recompense for a loss.

Did Jesus Christ do away with God’s laws? No! He stated emphatically that He came to magnify God’s laws (Isaiah 42:21; Matthew 5:17–19). When asked which of God’s laws was the greatest, Jesus replied: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37–40).

Was Jesus abolishing Old Testament law with these words? No! He was quoting Scripture (Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)! Rather than introducing something new, He was magnifying the existing law, and teaching how Christians ought properly to apply it.

The “eye for an eye” principle concerned love of neighbor. Jesus magnified it by emphasizing forgiveness. Notice His explanation: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But, I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:38–39).

Jesus showed here that a Christian should be willing to suffer wrong. But the law remained the measure of right and wrong. The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians that they should suffer wrong and be defrauded rather than take a fellow Christian before a public court (1 Corinthians 6:1–8). Paul also taught that we should submit to governmental authority, even when it is unfair or unjust (Romans 13:1–7)—as long as it does not violate the law of God. Suffering patiently for righteousness’ sake is the example Christ set for all Christians to follow (1 Peter 2:19–20).

The truth is that the yoke of bondage is upon those who commit sin (John 8:34)—not upon those who keep God’s commandments. God’s laws are holy, just and good (Romans 7:12). Christ came to magnify the full intent of the law, which is love toward one another (Romans 13:10). Peter stated it this way: “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, not rendering evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:8–9). God’s law is always the measure of justice, but Christians must always apply that law with compassion.