Matthew 5:38

An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (opqalmon anti opqalmou kai odonta anti odonto). Note anti with the notion of exchange or substitution. The quotation is from Exodus 21:24 ; Deuteronomy 19:21 ; Leviticus 24:20 . Like divorce this jus talionis is a restriction upon unrestrained vengeance. "It limited revenge by fixing an exact compensation for an injury" (McNeile). A money payment is allowed in the Mishna. The law of retaliation exists in Arabia today.