The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 227

the father of lies. He is the father of liars-of perjurers-of profane swearers of every order.-J. A. M. Vere. 38--4:2.-Retaliation. OI this we have here two sorts, viz. the retaliation of ·kind, and that of kirtdness. These are not necessarily inconsistent. For Christ came not to destroy but to fulfil the Law. Properly understood, "Eye for eye and tooth for tooth" is the co-relative of" Do unto others as you would they should do unto you." We propose to view the lea; talionis- I. As A DIRECTION TO THE MAGISTRATE. 1. The rpirit of its tea.ching to him is to minister judgment·in equity. (1) The law of retaliation was a question for the magis- trate. Private vengeance has no sacred approbation (see Deut. xii:. 16-21; Rom. xiii. 4). The scribes conceded to private revenge what the Law permitted to the magistrate as a civil penalty; but this was an evil perversion. (2) It would be an outrage upon equity were a magistrate to give the sentence of death for the destruction of an eye. Or, on the contrary, were he to assign a trifling exaction for a serious crime. The magistrate must not refuse justice to the poor; or favonr the strong against the weak (cf. Luke xviii. 3). 2. The doctrine of Christ strengthens hu hands. (1) The prohibitions of our Lord have reference to private resentments. They do not interfere with magisterial functions. The sermon on the mount was addressed to the disciples (see ver. 1). (2) The scribes, however, bad interfered with them in sanctioning private revenges. And these revenges were often carried far beyond the limits of equity. (3) In absolutely forbidding private revenges Jesus restored the ma,,uistrate to the Law. In this he fulfilled the Law, II. As A PERMISSION TO THE INJtrnll:D. 1. The Law did not impose retaliation. (1) It simply made it competent to one who had suffered to exact rrom the person who caused his injury a corresponding or equivalent suffering. Except in ca.ses of life and death, he might commute the eXBction of "an eye for an eye" for & money satisfaction (Exod. xxi. 23-25). Or the sufferer might decline to prosecute. The Law was strictly permissive. (2) Hence it is evident that the precepts of Jesus do not destroy the Law. The spirit of the Law is not in favour of revenge. It is rather intended to limit and check it. 2. The rule of (Jhrist is against the spirit of revenge. (1) "That ye resist not evil." In this Christ does not say that we may not avoid evil. He him- self went from Judrea into Galilee to avoid the resentment of the Pharisees (John iv. 1-3). He instructed his disciples when persecution should arise against them in one city to pass on to another (eh. x. 23). (2) He does not say that we may not even resist it simply for our own security or for the security of others, within certain limita- tions (cf.John xviii. 23; Acts xvi. 37; xxii. 25; uiii.2,3,17; xxv, 10,11). (3) The law of retnliation must be made consistent with the law of love. This is best secured by forgiveness. '1.'o prosecute a knave or a rowdy for his moral benefit might consist with love; but the motive might be misunderstood (cf. eh. x..xvi. 52; Rom. xii. 17; 1 Cor. vi. 7; Gal. v. 22). (4) This is the gospel method. It embodies the spirit of the Law (cf. Prov. xx. 22; xxix. 25). III. As A MORAL TO TIIE WORLD. 1. The end qf Law is the public good. (1) Licentiousness must be restrained or society must dissolve. Retaliation is sanctioned to restrain it. So for public reasons, without nny feeling of resentment, a Christian might prosecute a knave or a rowrly. (2) Retaliation is sanctioned, moreover, to convey moral lessons to the conscience of the transgressor. In this view a. Christian might prosecute an offender with benevolent intention. 2. The public good is also tlie design qf the gospel. (1) It wins victory by patience. Conquering the resistance of a foe by the restraint of a stronger arm does not vanquish his spirit of resistance. The peaceful victory turns the foe into a friend. (2) It wins victory in patience. The patient sufferer bas vanquished all the devils of pride, selfishness, and cruelty in his soul IV. As AN INBTBUOTION TO THE CHRISTIAN. 1. When ha IJUjftrs bodily injury. (1) This class of injury is represented in the case of the blow· upon the cheek. Here is affront as well as injury (cf. 2 Cor. xi. 20). (2) It must be taken patiently. Jesus, though the Judge of Israel, when smitten, did not smite again (cf. Micah v. 1; John xviii. 23). (3) Submission, in rare cases of excessive brutality, may expose us to a. repetition of the injury. If so, still bear it. "'1.'um the other cheek." (4) Generally the first forgiveness will prevent the second blow (Prov. xiv. 22). Note: It iB thti  ~o :THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [ou. 1', 1-4&