Mahatma Gandhi was the civil rights activist who led the successful campaign to achieve India’s independence from British rule in the 1940s. He taught the principle of ‘nonviolent resistance’. He rejected calls for hatred and revenge. When someone hurts you, it’s natural to want to get your own back, but we know this simply leads to an escalation of anger and hurt. Gandhi advocated the way of peace.
It’s said that someone once reminded him of the Bible’s instruction, ‘Eye for eye, tooth for tooth’ (Leviticus 24:20). He replied, “An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.”
When you think about it, this is a wise saying. But it’s often quoted by people who want to demonstrate that the Bible is barbaric and outdated and the world has moved on. Actually, they’re taking the Bible’s words out of context.
The Law of Moses
This is what the Bible says:
‘Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal’s life shall make it good, life for life. If anyone injures his neighbour, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him’ (Leviticus 24:17–20).
This command is part of the Law which God gave to Israel to govern their nation, which is known as the Law of Moses. The Law laid down a simple system of consequences for crimes.
If you know you can do wrong and you’re likely to get away with it, you’re more likely to do it. ‘Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil’ (Ecclesiastes 8:11). Parents, teachers and the police know this. So the Law specified a straightforward system of justice—’eye for eye’ ensured that the punishment was proportionate and limited. Justice was to be dispensed fairly, consistently and promptly (Exodus 23:1–3, Leviticus 19:15).
The point is, that command ‘eye for eye’ is an instruction for the judiciary. It’s not permission to get your own back on people who hurt you. The Law insisted that matters of judgement were to be brought before judges (Exodus 22:9). It forbade taking judgement into your own hands: ‘You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself: I am the LORD’ (Leviticus 19:18).
The New Testament
In the Bible’s New Testament, we see the principles that were laid down in the Law of Moses opened up and widened out. The Law, it turns out, was a ‘shadow’ of Jesus Christ who fulfilled it (Hebrews 10:1). Christians are not obliged to follow the rules of the Law of Moses (Acts 15:19–20)—but its timeless principles still apply.
The Apostle Paul explores the Law’s commandment not to seek revenge: ‘Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honourable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:17–19).
The Law of Christ
Gandhi is admired as a man of peace. He advocated civil disobedience rather than violence as a means of achieving your aims, and many have sought to learn from his example.
Jesus Christ set an altogether higher standard. He laid down his life for the sins of the world (John 1:29), and he calls his followers to lives of service and self-sacrifice:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you” (Matthew 5:38–42).
Chris Parkin