Is it just me, or does this conflict with Jesus' instruction to "Turn the other cheek"? Someone please help me with this, it seems these two instructions are contradictory.
2007-08-08 01:53:32 · 11 answers · asked by David H 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Jesus quoted the OT in the sermon on the mount saying, "You have heard that it was said, 'an eye for an eye'......but I say to you......turn the other cheek"
Jesus Christ was commanding a new way of thinking and acting. He came to fulfill the Law. The OT "eye for an eye" system was a system of retribution for something done wrong to a person. The Pharisees abused the Law to their own liking.....and Jesus turned it on it's ear....and exposed the heresy of the Pharisitical way of life.
2007-08-08 01:56:42 · answer #1 · answered by primoa1970 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It is only contradictory if you think that man can take that eye for an eye. Once you realize that it is God who takes an eye for an eye, then you can understand why Jesus recommended "turn the other cheek."
So in fact, the two sayings support each other.
2007-08-08 09:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not contradictory at all. Moses said in the old testament eye for an eye, but then Jesus did away with that and said turn the other cheek. That's not hard to understand at all.
2007-08-08 08:57:44 · answer #3 · answered by kittykat 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The reference to an "eye for an eye" in Exodus 21:24 and Leviticus 24:20 places a limitation on civil and criminal justice. People are not to be punished or compensated disproportionately. Jesus says in Matthew 5:38-39 that those who follow him must go beyond this in their personal ethics, not seeking to be compensated when wronged. In fact, he says, his followers should do good to those who wrong them.
2007-08-08 09:24:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly the "eye for an eye" is in the Old Testament and it does not mean it literally with one exception. It means monetary payments in compensation. The exception is life, if you INTENTIONALLY kill someone the sentence is death.
2007-08-08 08:59:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Old Law, and that law eye for an eye was for a man's wife who lost her baby cause of someone else. We are under New Covenant.
2007-08-08 09:03:46 · answer #6 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes and most people don't read the rest of the verses around it. It is basically saying that you should expect EQUAL COMPENSATION for a wrong doing. It is not inciting harm or murder as most people think.
2007-08-08 09:11:53 · answer #7 · answered by Keltasia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That was under the law of Moses, Jesus ended that law with the two greatest commandments of them all is to love your god with all your heart and to love one another, you are no longer the law.
2007-08-08 09:02:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
it doesnt matter they are contradictory, the Quran also says that we have to kill and cut hands and feet, thats the only law said by Allah
2007-08-08 09:03:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It does, in the old testament. But it is actually a proscription of excessive punishment.
2007-08-08 09:00:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋