A common misinterpretation of Matthew 5:38 is viewing it as Jesus endorsing or merely restating the Old Testament rule of retaliation as a license for personal revenge, ignoring the immediate contrast He draws in subsequent verses by commanding to 'turn the other cheek' and love enemies. Another error is assuming this passage abolishes all forms of justice, leading some to reject legal accountability or self-defense entirely, whereas the law targeted communal equity, not individual vendettas, and Jesus elevates personal conduct without negating civil authority.
Matthew 5:38
King James Version (1769)
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
In Matthew 5:38, Jesus references the Old Testament principle of 'an eye for an eye,' which established proportional justice under Mosaic law to prevent excessive retaliation and promote fairness in legal judgments. He uses this as a foundation to introduce a higher ethic in the Sermon on the Mount, teaching followers not to seek personal vengeance but to respond to evil with radical love, forgiveness, and non-resistance, thereby breaking cycles of violence and reflecting God's mercy.