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PER093
The Sermon on the Mount (9): Vengeance
PER093 examines Jesus' teaching on vengeance in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:38–42). Jesus reinterprets the law of retaliation (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) by calling his disciples to non-violence, forgiveness and love of enemies. This teaching, unique to Matthew, advocates a peaceful response transcending the logic of vengeance rather than total passivity, in keeping with Romans 12:17 and 1 Peter 3:9.
Matthew 5.38-42 (King James Version) :Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org