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Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An
eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, offer no
resistance to one who is evil… Should anyone press you into service
for one mile, go with him for two miles.” Matthew 5:38–39, 41
The phrase “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” refers to
the Mosaic Law of Retaliation (cf. Exodus 21:23–25). When Moses
instituted this law, vengeance often escalated in response to an
injury, leading to cycles of increasing violence. The law served as
a form of natural justice, ensuring that retribution was
proportional to the offense, preventing conflicts from spiraling
out of control.
Though the purpose of the Law of Retaliation was to curb excessive
vengeance and restore order, Jesus revealed that true
reconciliation is achieved only through radical mercy. He taught
that unlimited mercy is a far greater remedy for discord, breaking
the cycle of retaliation at its root. Before His coming and the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, humanity lacked the grace necessary
to live out this higher calling. However, in Christ, His followers
were empowered by divine grace to overcome cycles of vengeance—not
with retribution, but with mercy.
To illustrate this higher form of reconciliation, Jesus references
a Roman law that allowed soldiers to compel Jews to carry their
military equipment for one Roman mile—approximately 4,855 feet,
slightly shorter than the modern mile. This law was a source of
humiliation for Jews, who were often forced to drop what they were
doing to serve their oppressors. They had little recourse against
this injustice, making it a painful reminder of their
subjugation.
Jesus does not justify this injustice; rather, He transforms it by
calling His followers to freely exceed the demands of the law.
Instead of begrudgingly fulfilling the imposed burden, they were to
willingly double it—going two miles instead of one. This radical
response would have astonished the Roman soldiers, turning an act
of forced servitude into an unexpected display of generosity.
The wisdom in this command lies in the freedom it offers. Carrying
another’s burden was not inherently evil; the pain came not from
the injustice but from the humiliation. By embracing the burden
voluntarily—walking the second mile willingly—Jesus’ followers
would rise above the sting of pride and resentment. Instead of
being victims, they became witnesses to God’s unmerited mercy,
showing that true strength lies not in retaliation, but in
generosity.
The principle behind this elevated teaching on justice has
countless applications in our lives. Whenever we experience
injustice or unfair treatment, we face a choice: We can insist on
strict natural justice, or we can choose supernatural charity.
Those who cling to mere justice often find themselves trapped in
cycles of outrage, condemnation, and resentment. But those who
choose to lavish unmerited charity upon others—freely forgiving
offenses and going beyond what is required—discover a profound
interior freedom.
Charity does not contradict natural reason; rather, it surpasses
and elevates it, transforming mere human justice into something
divine. To understand and live this truth, we need the Gift of
Wisdom, which enables us to see life from God’s perspective rather
than our own limited view. This divine wisdom allows us to respond
not as the world expects, but as Christ commands—breaking the cycle
of retaliation with the transformative power of mercy.
Reflect today on the ways you have been wronged. At times, the pain
of injustice is real and the offense against us undeniable. Yet the
true question is not whether we have been mistreated, but how we
will respond. Jesus calls us to rise above our wounded pride and
respond with acts of kindness and unmerited generosity. By
embracing this higher way, we break free from the bondage of
resentment and enter into the freedom of divine Wisdom.
Most generous God, Your mercy far surpasses the strict justice I
often seek. Grant me the Gift of Wisdom, so that I may grasp the
infinite value of mercy and extend it freely in the face of every
injustice I endure. Help me to trust not in my own sense of
fairness, but in Your divine will, which brings true justice
through love. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: Sermon on the mount windows at Herzogenbuchsee Reformed
church near Berne. Picture by Eugène Burnand 1910, glass by Emil
Gerster of Basel 1911
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