Definition: Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this famous verse from Matthew 5:38. It’s often misunderstood, so we'll go through it carefully. The Basic Idea: This verse is about justice and retaliation . It’s saying that when people hurt you, you should respond with a similar response – a little bit of payback. Let’s unpack it word by word: “An eye for an eye…” - This refers to the idea of equal suffering. It means that if someone takes something from you, you should take something back in proportion. Think of it like a balanced scale – one side gets taken away, and another side is added. “…and a tooth for a tooth:” - This is where it gets more complex. It’s saying that if someone hurts you physically, you should respond with the same level of harm. Just like an eye for an eye, this means inflicting a similar injury on the other person. What's the point? Jesus is teaching us about righteous anger and the importance of holding onto our principles. He’s not saying we should always retaliate with violence. Instead, he’s emphasizing that God expects us to be just and fair. Responding with a little bit of payback isn't a good way to build a relationship or to live a righteous life. Important Context: Jesus is using this example to illustrate the idea of loving your neighbor as yourself. It's about showing compassion, not escalating conflict. He’s saying that when we hurt someone, we should also be willing to be hurt ourselves. It's a call to extend kindness and justice. In short: Jesus is teaching us to respond to wrongdoing with a measure of justice, but always striving for fairness and love towards others. --- Do you want me to explain this verse in more detail? For example, would you like to know: Why it’s considered a difficult passage? How it relates to other parts of the Bible? What Jesus is really trying to say with this teaching?