An Eye for an Eye: Should you take Revenge?
What does the Bible Say?
The scriptures in Leviticus and Exodus about taking an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth are often used to justify taking revenge. These scriptures are part of the law given to Moses, and just like the laws we follow in modern day, the judgments and punishments of that day were not handed out by individuals in the form of revenge, but by the authorities and community. In modern society taking legal justice without authority is called being a vigilante. In ancient Israel there was a system of justice just like there is today and they handed out justice and punishment, it was not the individuals job to do that. One of the requirements of the system was to have 2 reliable witnesses.
Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV)
15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
We can see an example of this in the book of Mark when Jesus was being tried.
Mark 14:56
For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
So what does the bible actually say about taking revenge for yourself?
Deuteronomy 32:35
To me belongs vengeance and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
In the book of Samuel, David thanks Abigail for keeping him from avenging himself.
1 Samuel 25
32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me:
33 And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.
Here are some more scriptures about revenge in the Old and New Testament.
Old Testament
Proverbs 24:29 Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Leviticus 19:18- Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I [am] the LORD.
New Testament
Romans 12:19- Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but [rather] give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Romans 12:17-21- Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Matthew 5:38-39- 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
1 Peter 3:9- Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Thessalonians 5:15- See that none render evil for evil unto any [man]; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all [men].
Romans 12:17- Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Matthew 26:52-54- Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Mark 11:25- And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
Romans 13:4- For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil.
James 1:19-20- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
1 Peter 2:23- Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to him that judges righteously:
Romans 12:18- If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
So when we see all that is said, it is not our job to take vengeance, God Himself will do that in His own time and in His own way.