“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
The magistrate may lawfully exact this penalty; but the Old Testament never commanded private revenge as necessary. Jewish teachers corrupted it into a demand for retaliation by common men. Christ sweeps away that abuse entirely and calls His followers to something higher: forgiveness and patience even under fresh injury.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:38-42
God ordained eye for eye for the magistrate punishing wrongs. The Pharisees taught private persons could exact the same satisfaction from those who injured them. Christ replies: resist not evil, leave vengeance to God and rulers. Christians must endure double injury rather than seek private revenge.
AI summary
I came not to sweep away the foundation of the Old Testament but to fulfill it, establish it, unfold it, embody it in living form. Fear not that I will subvert God's living oracles; rather, enshrine them in reverence, affection, and character.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 5:17-48