Matthew 5:38
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
KJV
Ἠκούσατε ὅτι ἐρρέθη, ὀφθαλμὸν ἀντὶ ὀφθαλμοῦ καὶ ὀδόντα ἀντὶ ὀδόντος.
Greek NT
Audistis quia dictum est : Oculum pro oculo, et dentem pro dente.
Vulgate
Ye have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
ASV
You have heard that it hath been said: An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
Douay-Rheims
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In the original Greek
7 distinct Greek words appear in this verse.
καί
kai
conjunction · 8973×
ἀκούω
akouo
verb · 427×
ἀντί
anti
preposition · 22×
ἐρέω
ereo
verb · 96×
ὀδούς
odous
noun · 12×
ὀφθαλμός
ophthalmos
noun · 100×
ὅτι
oti
conjunction · 1299×
Intertextual echoes
This verse quotes or alludes to 1 earlier text.
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Lev 24:20 · exact_quote"Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again."Leviticus: eye for eye, tooth for tooth — Jesus quotes before reinterpreting
Historic Christian voices
6 passages from patristic writers, Reformers, and church catechisms citing this verse.
§2262In the Sermon on the Mount, the Lord recalls the commandment, "You shall not kill,"62 and adds to it the proscription of anger, hatred, and vengeance. Going further, Christ asks his disciples to turn the other cheek, to love their enemies.63 He did not defend himself and told Peter to leave his sword in its sheath.64 Legitimate defense
2. And if any man will sue you at the law, and take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Matthew 5:40 For not in the matter of blows only, but of our goods also, He would have such forbearance exhibited. Wherefore He again employs the same strong figure. That is, as in the other case He commands to overcome in suffering, so here again, by allowing ourselves to be depri…
Source. Translated by J. Walker, J. Sheppard and H. Browne, and revised by George B. Stevens. From Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series, Vol. 11. Edited by Philip Schaff. (Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1889.) Revised and edited for New Advent by Kevin Knight. <https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/210213.htm>. Contact information. The editor of New Adven…
Cross-references
- Deut 19:19 — Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
- Deut 19:21 — And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
- Deut 19:21 — And thine eye shall not pity; but life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
- Exod 21:22 — If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman’s husband will lay upon him; and he shall
- Exod 21:24 — Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
- Lev 24:19 — And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
- Lev 24:19 — And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
- Lev 24:20 — Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again.
- Matt 5:21 — Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: