An Eye for an Eye!

This past week Donald Trump revealed what his favorite Bible verse is: “An eye for an eye!”  In so many words Mr. Trump also went on to say that this verse would serve as the basis for his method of dealing with any and all aggressors who have bad intentions towards the United States of America.

This is perhaps one of the most misunderstood Biblical sayings even among Christians. The larger text is located in the Book of Exodus 21:23-25 and reads as follows: 

“If any harm follows, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

Now this text is located in a section appropriately entitled, “Law Concerning Violence” (21:12-27). It is situated in a larger text prescribing the penalties for specific acts of violence. You will notice that they all demand capital punishment as the penalty for violating these laws against violence.

Historically these laws concerning violence were enacted to help curb the violence that existed in what was a very violent world. The need for retribution or revenge seemed to have no limits. 

If a man killed another man’s son what would stop the victim from killing two or more of the other man’s sons as an act of revenge? 

In other words, “an eye of an eye” ethic was not intended to justify the act of unfettered revenge or retribution but rather to prevent acts of vengeance or retribution from getting disproportionately out of hand. 

But wait a minute. There is another crucially important text that we must consider and one I am afraid Mr. Trump either chooses to ignore or knows nothing of its existence. The text is located in what is known as Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). The text is appropriately entitled, “Concerning Retaliation” and reads as follows:

“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 an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.”

You have heard it said . . . but I say to you!

Here Jesus expands the “eye for an eye” ethic of the Old Testament. In other words Jesus adds further meaning to the Old Testament Law concerning retaliation or revenge. 

But this text requires even more of a larger context if we are to better understand the meaning of the “eye for an eye” ethic. Jesus goes on to say:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters,[o] what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:43-48).

You know I am glad that an “eye for an eye” is Mr. trumps favorite Bible verse, now if he would only read it in its larger context. 

Cherry picking verses of Scripture out of their natural context is dangerous and risky business. So much bad theology is created from such a careless mishandling of the Biblical texts.

Remember this truth whenever you yourself are compelled to quote Bible verses:

A text out of context becomes a pretext!

When a text such as this is taken out of context unforeseen consequences are often the result. In the words of Gandhi:

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

Indeed it does sir! Indeed it does!