Bible Verses About An Eye For An Eye. Exodus 21:24 contains the phrase “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” (lex talionis), which is one of the most often cited but deeply misinterpreted ideas in biblical law. In the ancient Israelite legal system, this commandment was essentially a principle of fairness and restraint rather than an order for personal retribution.
Lex Talionis brought revolutionary restraint to societies where retaliation frequently turned into blood feuds—a tooth stolen for a life taken. Its main goal was to limit damages and penalties to the precise extent of the harm caused, guaranteeing that the punishment was appropriate and never disproportionate. Under the Mosaic Law, this idea helped to establish judicial justice and prevent rash, disproportionate retaliation.
The phrase “an eye for an eye” only applies to courts and magistrates, not to people looking for personal retribution. But the meaning of this law had changed during the centuries preceding the New Testament. Some people mistakenly used it as an excuse for taking personal revenge, turning a legal restriction into a personal license to exact revenge.
Jesus specifically addresses the statement in the Sermon on the Mount in opposition to this perverted meaning. His teachings were a radical elevation of the personal ethical standard, shifting believers from the external boundaries of the civil court to the internal disposition of the heart, rather than a rejection of the Mosaic Law’s original aim of impartial justice.
Jesus clearly contrasts the old legal maxim with a new, better morality in Matthew 5:38-39: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'” However, I advise you not to oppose someone evil. The foundation of the Christian reaction to harm is this command. Jesus urges his disciples to choose a path of non-resistance, humility, and selfless love by voluntarily giving up the right to personal vengeance. These teachings show a supernatural love that surpasses the requirements of rigid, measure-for-measure justice, compelling believers to cease the cycle of violence and retaliation.
40 Powerful Bible Verses About An Eye For An Eye (18th December 2025
1. Exodus 21:24
“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot,”
This foundational verse introduces the principle of lex talionis—the law of retaliation or proportionate justice. In its original context, this command was given to the civil courts of Israel, not to individuals. It functioned as a crucial limitation on vengeance, ensuring that the punishment inflicted was strictly proportional to the injury suffered, preventing blood feuds and excessive retribution.
2. Leviticus 24:19-20
“Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The foreigner residing among you must be treated the same as the native-born.”
This restatement reinforces the original intent of lex talionis as a judicial principle of equality. It confirms that the law of exact retribution applied impartially to everyone in the community, including foreigners, establishing a consistent, fixed standard of civil justice and preventing judges from assigning arbitrary or excessive penalties.
3. Deuteronomy 19:21
“Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
This third iteration of the law emphasizes the severity and firmness of the judicial application. The phrase “Show no pity” instructs the judges to administer the law strictly and without personal bias or favoritism, underscoring that the purpose of the law was objective, impartial justice, not emotional revenge.
4. Matthew 5:38
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ ”
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus quotes the well-known Old Testament law. By quoting it, He sets up a deliberate contrast between the standard of the civil court and the standard for personal conduct among His followers. This marks the transition from the external requirements of the law to the internal disposition of the heart.
5. Matthew 5:39
“But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Jesus here delivers His radical rejection of personal retaliation. He commands His followers to forgo the right to insist on measure-for-measure repayment, even when personally insulted or injured. Turning the other cheek is an act of non-resistance that breaks the cycle of violence and vengeance.
6. Romans 12:17
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.”
This New Testament instruction explicitly prohibits personal retribution. It commands believers not to mirror the offense done to them but to actively choose a course of action that is morally upright and recognized as such by the community. Repaying evil with good is a core Christian ethic that succeeds the “eye for an eye” standard for individual behavior.
7. Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
This command directly forbids Christians from seeking personal revenge, asserting that vengeance belongs solely to God. By yielding this right, the believer trusts God’s perfect justice to be administered in His own timing and way. This allows the believer to focus on forgiveness rather than settling scores.
8. 1 Peter 3:9
“Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.”
This verse reinforces the radical Christian response to mistreatment—blessing instead of retaliation. It emphasizes that this counter-intuitive response is not an option but the very calling of a Christian life, which ultimately leads to spiritual reward (“inherit a blessing”).
9. Proverbs 20:22
“Do not say, ‘I’ll pay you back for this wrong!’ Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.”
This proverb offers Old Testament wisdom that aligns with the New Testament ethic, cautioning against the impulse for payback. It teaches patience and reliance on God as the ultimate avenger, demonstrating that trusting God’s justice is wiser and safer than seeking personal retribution.
10. Luke 6:27-28
“But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Jesus defines the positive command of Christian ethics that transcends lex talionis. It is not enough to simply refrain from retaliation; believers must actively engage their enemies with love, blessing, and prayer. This supernatural response is the true fulfillment of the law’s spirit.
11. 1 Corinthians 6:7
“The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?”
This verse highlights the Christian’s call to willingly absorb injustice, which is the practical result of moving beyond the “eye for an eye” standard. Paul suggests that the willingness to be wronged or cheated for the sake of peace and spiritual integrity is a greater victory than winning a legal battle based on seeking exact restitution.
12. Matthew 5:40
“And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.”
This specific example provided by Jesus illustrates the radical renunciation of material defense in the face of legal or financial wrong. It pushes the believer past the simple non-retaliation of lex talionis and demands an over-giving, selfless response that challenges the unjust motives of the aggressor.
13. Proverbs 24:29
“Do not say, ‘I’ll do to them as they have done to me; I’ll pay them back for what they did.’ ”
This Old Testament proverb functions as a clear ethical prohibition against tit-for-tat retaliation in personal relationships. It reinforces that even under the Old Covenant, the spirit of personal vengeance was condemned, favoring trust in the Lord’s timing over immediate, measure-for-measure payback.
14. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
The Christian response to injury is rooted in divine forgiveness. This verse establishes the ultimate reason for rejecting the “eye for an eye” mindset: because we have been forgiven an infinite debt by God, we are obligated to show kindness, compassion, and forgiveness to those who have offended us.
15. Galatians 6:7
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”
While lex talionis focuses on human enforcement of exact measure, this verse reminds believers of the unfailing principle of divine recompense. It assures that while the believer may choose not to seek personal vengeance, the moral universe is ultimately governed by God, who guarantees that every person will face the consequences of their actions.
16. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds… We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
This passage contrasts worldly methods of retaliation (the “weapons of the world”) with the spiritual tools available to the believer. It instructs us to use divine power to control the internal thoughts of anger and vengeance, making the fight against retaliation an internal battle won through spiritual discipline.
17. Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
The rejection of lex talionis requires the removal of internal motivations for revenge. This verse commands believers to discard the root attitudes—anger, rage, and malice—that fuel the desire for “an eye for an eye,” ensuring that the ethical standard is maintained internally before it is expressed externally.
18. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Jesus establishes a direct and serious link between receiving divine forgiveness and granting human forgiveness. This passage warns that holding onto the right to exact an “eye for an eye” repayment from others (unforgiveness) jeopardizes one’s own standing with God.
19. Proverbs 25:21-22
“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.”
This powerful proverb offers the ultimate counter-strategy to vengeance: active kindness toward an enemy. “Heaping burning coals” is interpreted as either a metaphor for shame and conviction in the aggressor or a practical custom of providing necessary fire (coals), highlighting that the Christian response should be redemptive, not destructive.
20. Luke 9:55-56
“But Jesus turned and rebuked them. He said, ‘You do not know what kind of spirit you are of, for the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s lives, but to save them.’ ”
After James and John suggested calling down fire on an unwelcoming Samaritan village, Jesus issued this sharp rebuke. It serves as a clear warning against using one’s position or power to enact destructive vengeance. Jesus explicitly contrasts the vengeful spirit with the redemptive mission of Christ, which should define the actions of His followers.
21. Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”
This teaching is the ultimate counter-ethic to the “eye for an eye” mentality, demanding active love for those who do harm. It directs the believer’s energy away from seeking justice or revenge and toward intercession. Praying for persecutors is the highest form of non-retaliation, as it seeks the good and transformation of the aggressor.
22. Proverbs 16:6
“Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord a person avoids evil.”
This proverb offers an alternative mechanism to lex talionis for addressing wrongdoing. Instead of punishment (retaliation), love and faithfulness are presented as the spiritual tools that achieve atonement and reconciliation. This emphasizes a redemptive approach to conflict over a punitive one.
23. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ”
This exchange demonstrates the limitless nature of Christian forgiveness, completely dissolving any measure-for-measure accounting demanded by lex talionis. Jesus uses “seventy-seven” (or “seventy times seven”) to signify that forgiveness must be practiced without tallying offenses, making endless mercy the standard.
24. James 4:12
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”
This verse addresses the arrogance of taking on the role of the judge and enforcer inherent in the “eye for an eye” mindset. It firmly places the authority for ultimate judgment and retribution solely in the hands of God, reminding the believer of their limited and unqualified role in matters of eternal justice.
25. Psalm 37:8
“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”
The internal desire for lex talionis often originates in anger and wrath. This verse counsels believers to actively restrain these emotions, as indulging them only precipitates further wrong action (“leads only to evil”). True spiritual freedom comes from releasing the need for immediate, self-administered retribution.
26. Titus 3:2
“to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
This command emphasizes the importance of gentleness and peaceableness as the default Christian attitude, which directly opposes the harshness and severity implied by personal retaliation. Success in overcoming the impulse for “an eye for an eye” is measured by the consistent kindness shown to others.
27. Exodus 23:4-5
“If you come across your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it. If you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load, do not leave it there; be sure to help them with it.”
This Old Testament law provides a practical example of showing kindness to an enemy, even under the Mosaic Law. It illustrates that even within the legal system that contained lex talionis, God’s intent was always to promote compassionate actions that benefit the one who has harmed you.
28. Romans 13:4
“For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.”
This passage clarifies the distinction between personal vengeance and God-ordained civil authority. The government, represented by the “sword,” is entrusted by God to administer the principle of justice (which historically included lex talionis concepts), thereby removing the need for individuals to seek personal retribution.
29. Hebrews 10:30
“For we know him who said, ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ and again, ‘The Lord will judge his people.’ ”
Quoting the Old Testament, this verse reaffirms the New Testament principle that vengeance belongs exclusively to God. Knowing that God is a righteous judge who will ultimately repay all wrongdoing frees the believer from the burden and temptation of enacting personal justice, allowing for peace and forgiveness.
30. 1 Thessalonians 5:15
“Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
This direct instruction to the church summarizes the Christian ethical stance. The command is not just negative (“nobody pays back wrong for wrong”), but also positive: to actively pursue good toward both fellow believers and the wider world, replacing the punitive cycle of retaliation with a redemptive one.
31. Matthew 7:12
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Known as the Golden Rule, this command provides the ultimate positive ethical replacement for lex talionis. Instead of reacting to injury with equal retaliation, the believer is commanded to proactively treat all people with the kindness, fairness, and respect that they desire for themselves.
32. Proverbs 17:13
“Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good.”
This proverb addresses the severity of unjust retaliation, particularly paying back good deeds with evil. It warns that such a spirit of vengeance creates lasting spiritual darkness and turmoil in the life of the person who refuses to forgive and chooses to punish kindness.
33. Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ ”
Spoken by Christ from the cross, this is the ultimate example of sacrificial non-retaliation in the face of maximum injustice, pain, and death. It demonstrates that the highest form of Christian response is not only to forgive enemies but also to intercede for them, even when they have inflicted irreparable harm.
34. 1 John 2:9
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness.”
The desire for “an eye for an eye” is rooted in anger and hatred, which this verse declares to be a sign of spiritual darkness. It highlights that a true life of faith is incompatible with holding malice or seeking retribution against others, even those who have wronged us.
35. Proverbs 19:11
“A person’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.”
This verse counsels that wisdom and insight lead to patience, which is the necessary virtue to conquer the impulse for immediate retribution. The capacity to “overlook an offense” is presented as a moral strength far superior to the weakness of demanding exact repayment.
36. 1 Peter 2:23
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.”
This verse holds up Christ’s example under suffering as the perfect model for the believer’s response to injury. Jesus explicitly refused to threaten or retaliate, choosing instead to trust God’s perfect justice. This is the model for surrendering the right of lex talionis to God.
37. James 1:20
“because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
This statement is a direct theological reason to reject the “eye for an eye” mentality: human anger—the emotion that fuels private vengeance—is incapable of achieving the moral and restorative justice (righteousness) that God demands.
38. Romans 12:20
“On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ ”
This reiterates the powerful command for active kindness towards one’s enemy. By meeting the physical needs of an aggressor, the believer applies a spiritual pressure that compels the wrongdoer to confront their own actions, achieving a moral victory without physical harm.
39. 2 Thessalonians 1:6
“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you”
This verse provides assurance that while believers must not seek personal vengeance, God’s perfect justice will ensure that those who inflict trouble will ultimately be repaid. This theological truth allows the Christian to practice non-retaliation with confidence, knowing the Judge of all the earth will act righteously.
40. Proverbs 29:11
“Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise quietly hold it back.”
This final verse counsels self-control and wisdom as the ultimate counter to the retaliatory spirit. Giving “full vent” to the rage fueled by injury is the mark of folly, whereas the wise person chooses to restrain their impulse for revenge, thereby protecting peace and spiritual integrity.
Conclusion
Studying “an eye for an eye” demonstrates a significant shift in biblical ethics from the Old Covenant’s required judicial moderation to the New Covenant’s demanding, transformative standard. By restricting punishment to the precise extent of the harm, the Mosaic Law guaranteed justice and shielded the accused from disproportionate punishments. However, Jesus’ teachings elevate this norm from the courtroom to the heart, forcing believers to voluntarily give up their right to take legal action. This is the central paradox of Christian ethics: genuine justice is attained when the harmed party decides to show selfless love rather than demand equal punishment, ending the destructive cycle of increasing retaliation.
In the end, Christ’s command is powerful because it provides a supernatural resolution to human conflict. Jesus encourages radical, active non-retaliation that highlights the insufficiency of vengeance rather than passivity in the face of wrongdoing by telling followers to turn the other cheek. The Christian is expected to show mercy that goes beyond the traditional requirement of measure-for-measure repayment by reflecting the forgiving grace that they have received from God. This biblical concept leads to the conclusion that, although lex talionis set the limit on punishment under ancient Israel’s civil code, Christ’s morality requires a complete surrender of the right to personal retribution, meaning strength as the ability to forgive without conditions.
