The Church Fathers on this verse
THEOSIS
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Exodus 21:25Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.

Douay-Rheims

כְּוִיָּה֙ תַּ֣חַת כְּוִיָּ֔ה פֶּ֖צַע תַּ֣חַת פָּ֑צַע חַבּוּרָ֕ה תַּ֖חַת חַבּוּרָֽה׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Roshdestwenski W.G.

Teacher of the Church

In the Mosaic Law, Moses established that punishment for physical offenses should be equal in measure: one should pay back an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a sore for a sore, an injury for an injury (Ex. 21:24-25). In contrast to this directive, Jesus Christ teaches in Matthew 5:38-39, "If anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

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Moses also documents the public actions taken by the authorities and the legal statutes in Exodus. However, due to the distorted interpretations of the Pharisees, who misapplied the law, Christ corrects this misunderstanding by advising those under the rule of others not to retaliate with evil, in order to prevent further violence. Instead, He instructs them to strive to conquer evil through good, adhering to the principles of gentle humility found in the Gospel.

Wlastow G.K.

19th centuryCommentator

When considered alongside Leviticus 24:19-20, it becomes evident that the principles outlined here, specifically the law of retaliation acknowledged in ancient cultures, are not limited solely to the instance of a pregnant woman being harmed, but rather encompass all forms of bodily harm, including the current situation. The Angl. Comm. Bible points to the acknowledgment of this right of retaliation, which was ascribed by ancient civilizations to figures like Radamanthys, associated with the Phoenicians or their relatives, the Kaftorim of Crete. This principle can be found within nearly all ancient legal codes, as seen in the practices of Solon, the Twelve Tables, and various other laws documented by historians.

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Among the Hebrews, however, as noted by Philo, the practice of retaliation was often tempered by the option for judges to impose fines that both parties could agree upon. According to Flavius Josephus, the plaintiff had the choice to either accept the fine or insist on the strict application of the law. Our Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew 5:38, highlighted the essence and spirit of the law rather than its literal application, calling attention to the necessity of mercy for the children of God, reflecting the compassion of their heavenly Father. Through this interpretation, He expanded and enlightened humanity’s understanding, offering a broader vision of joy for the soul as opposed to the limited perspective of mere retribution that merely caters to base instincts.