The law of An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth is mentioned in Exodus 21.24; Leviticus 24.20; and Deuteronomy 19.21; its original intent was humanitarian, to prevent unrestrained blood vengeance (Gen 4.23 is an example). However, its purpose was later reversed, and people began to appeal to it primarily as the means of making their own claims prevail.

For a discussion of You have heard that it was said, see verse 27.

It is important in translations that the phrase An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth be understood in the context of vengeance or retaliation. It is not a matter of “you can give an eye to get an eye,” that is, an exchange, but rather the idea is that “If you cause someone to lose an eye, your eye should be taken out also, and if you cause someone to lose a tooth, your tooth can be taken out.” This can also be “If a person destroys someone’s eye (or tooth), then he should have his eye (or tooth) destroyed.” Whether to use “you” or “someone” depends on what will be best understood by readers of a particular language.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .