6. AN EYE FOR AN EYE, EXPLAINED
Is it the obligation of our justice system to forgive and pardon society’s perpetrators?
In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus condemns the practice of personal retaliation: “You have heard
that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person.
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
Matthew 5:17 states: “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of
Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” This verse explains
that the Lord Jesus did not intend to change any law that was given by His father. Throughout the
bible the Lord explicitly gives men the authority, and commands that should anyone kill another
person, that person’s life must also be taken.
Exodus 21:12 states: “Anyone who assaults and kills another person must be put to death.”
Exodus 21:23-25 states: “But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life
for a life, eye for eye,” Leviticus 24:17 states: “Anyone who takes another person’s life must be
put to death.” Malachi 3:6 states: “I am the Lord, and I do not change.”
7. GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY
Jeremiah 48:10 states: “Cursed are those who refuse to do the Lord’s work, who hold back their
swords from shedding blood (in executing the judgment of the Lord).” God bestowed on
government the responsibility of punishing crime and keeping order in society – the reason for the
existence of the police, judiciary, and correctional services. How would society behave if these
departments did not exist or failed to carry out their work effectively? We cannot just assume that
our justice system is flawed and does not have the ability to surely state whether or not someone is
guilty. We need to upgrade our systems and put more mechanisms in place to assure society of
government’s accurate and true verdicts every time. The punishment should ‘fit the crime’.
Romans 13:1-5 states: “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes
from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. Would you like to
live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honour you. They are God’s
servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do wrong. Therefore, you must submit
to them, not only to avoid punishment, but to keep a clear conscience.”
THE CONCLUSION we make is that the bible can be used to support the death penalty.