What does the Bible say about retaliation?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible forbids personal vengeance, calls believers to love even their enemies, and entrusts righteous judgment to God and lawful authority. Exodus 21:23-25 and Leviticus 24:17-22 gave Israel courts a measured standard of justice, restraining revenge rather than licensing private retaliation. Leviticus 19:18 commands love for one’s neighbor, while Proverbs 20:22 and 24:29 warn against repaying evil ourselves. Jesus fulfills and deepens this ethic in Matthew 5:38-44, teaching His disciples to resist hatred, endure wrongs with grace, and pray for persecutors. God sees oppression and will judge evildoers justly, so Christians may pursue lawful justice while leaving vengeance in His hands.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Nave's Topical Bible
- General scriptures concerning Exodus 21:23-25; Leviticus 19:18; Leviticus 24:17-22; Deuteronomy 19:19-21; Psalms 10:2; Proverbs 20:22; Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 26:27; Isaiah 33:1; Matthew 5:38-44; Matthew 7:1; Matthew 7:2
- See AVENGER
- See HATRED
- See MALICE
- See REVENGE
- INSTANCES OF
- The Israelites on the Amalekites Deuteronomy 25:17-19; 1 Samuel 15:1-9
- Gideon on the princes of Succoth Judges 8:7; Judges 8:13-16
- The kings of Midian Judges 8:18-21
- Penuel Judges 8:8; Judges 8:17
- Joab on Abner 2 Samuel 3:27; 2 Samuel 3:30
- David on Michal 2 Samuel 6:21-23
- David on Joab 1 Kings 2:5; 1 Kings 2:6
- David on Shimei 1 Kings 2:8; 1 Kings 2:9
- Jews on the Chaldeans Esther 9
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