What Does "an Eye for an Eye" Mean?

The rule of "an eye for an eye" was part of God's Law given by Moses to ancient Israel and was quoted by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount.  (Matthew 5:38, King James Version; Exodus 21:24, 25; Deuteronomy 19:21) It means when dealing  out of justice to wrongdoers, the punishment should fit the crime. 

The rule applied to deliberate people injurious acts against another person. Regarding a willful offender the Mosaic Law stated: "Fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, the same sort of injury he inflicted should be inflicted on him." - LEVITICUS 24:20.

What Was the Purpose of the "Eye for an Eye" Rule?

The "eye for an eye" rule did not authorize or sanction vigilante justice. Rather, it helped anointed judges to impose punishments that were appropriate, being neither too harsh nor too lenient. 

The rule served as a deterrent to any who would intentionally harm others or scheme to do so. "Those who remained [those who observed God's justice being carried out] will hear and be afraid," explained the Law, "and they will never again do anything bad like this among you." - Deuteronomy 19:20. 

 What Does "an Eye for an Eye" Mean? Does the "Eye for an Eye" Rule Apply to Christians?

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