Revenge is often considered one of the strongest human emotions. When we are hurt or betrayed, our hearts can quickly become overwhelmed by anger, resentment, and a strong sense of injustice. Seeking revenge may feel like a way to regain control and restore balance, but it’s not! Sampson is good Biblical example of what happens when we let emotions drive retaliation (Judges 15-16). Spoiler: it ends badly!
Sadly, in our dark and fallen world, many believe they have the right to take justice into their own hands whenever there has been an offense or trespass. In their anger, they will even cite, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” as justification for carrying out their form of “law.” In fact, the phrase itself is known as lex talionis, which means, the law of retaliation. The same wording is also found in the Bible. However, God never endorses personal revenge for wrongdoing. Instead, His will is found in a divine system of justice.
“An eye for eye, tooth for a tooth” is found in three places in the Old Testament: Exodus 21:22-25; Leviticus 24:19-20; and Deuteronomy 19:16-21. In every scenario, the context is about legal decisions – that is, an outcome to be decided by “the courts of law.” Under God’s judicial framework, only a rightfully appointed judge had the authority to exact punishment upon an offender, not some wronged individual. In other words, it had nothing to do with revenge.
In fact, one online resource stated, “There is no indication that the law of ‘an eye for an eye’ was followed literally; there is never a biblical account of an Israelite being maimed as a result of this law.” We also need to recognize that God established His judicial system within the nation of Israel, designed specifically to hear such cases and determine appropriate penalties (Exodus 18:13–26). Why would the Almighty have done that if He intended a literal “eye for an eye” penalty for a crime? It certainly is not divine justice, nor does it harmonize with His nature.
Consider how some Muslim nations use lex talionis literally and deal with a thief – they cut off his hand! What if the man was stealing bread to feed his family? This then raises a crucial question: where is the justice or fairness in such a system? Surely, the value of his hand far exceeds that of the bread he took. Taking the law literally results in a man now unable to work and left in a worse situation, with an even greater temptation to steal again to support his family! That is certainly not justice. True justice, as intended by God, is meant to correct the wrongdoing, not to create a more desperate offender!
The Pharisees and scribes in the New Testament had distorted the “eye for an eye” principle, using it to justify seeking personal revenge in everyday interactions. They taught that it was acceptable to retaliate in kind for any offense, whether it was physical or verbal. This exactly why Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” (Matt 5:38-39) He is teaching them that their interpretation disregarded the original intent of the law and overlooked its judicial context.
In the end, a Christian has no right to seek revenge on another. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
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