In trying to get a handle on this hard-to-grasp teaching of Jesus – the two seem opposing in nature – it helps to know the intent of the original law: “eye for an eye” (Deuteronomy 19:21). The spirit of the law was to limit vengeance. Unfortunately, many people had come to use the law Jesus is referencing with the attitude of vengeance. There was legitimate space for retribution in the OT law, but at its heart, it was a desire to limit rather than escalate vengeful actions. Jesus steers us away from a revenge-orientation that focuses on a slight or offense. Instead he orients us toward a generous love-and-serve mentality (give an extra tunic, go the extra mile, etc.) with an “enemy” – thus calling for us to act out of love rather than revenge.

This is not to say that there is no place for retribution. Application of “eye for an eye” acknowledges equal value of all people before God. It is in applying such a law with the right spirit – love included – that we learn that these teachings can co-exist. Often people just want revenge for being wronged – real or perceived. Jesus takes us out of revenge mode and into love-and-serve mode.