# Is “An eye for an eye” in the Bible?

> Yes. “An eye for an eye” is in the Bible, at Exodus 21:24.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/an-eye-for-an-eye
By Andrew Kittridge · November 9, 2026

It is part of the law God gave Israel through Moses, in the rules for judges.

## The verse

> But if there is serious injury, you are to give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.
>
> — [Exodus 21:23-25](https://www.lumin.faith/read/exodus/21#23) (Lumin Translation)

Word for word, the saying is in Matthew 5:38 in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible.

## What it means there

It set a limit: the penalty could match the harm and go no further. Jesus quotes it in Matthew 5:38-39 and tells his followers not to pay back a wrong at all.

## Also in the Bible

> fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The injury they have inflicted on another person must be inflicted on them.
>
> — [Leviticus 24:20](https://www.lumin.faith/read/leviticus/24#20) (Lumin Translation)

> Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
>
> — [Deuteronomy 19:21](https://www.lumin.faith/read/deuteronomy/19#21) (Lumin Translation)

> You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
>
> — [Matthew 5:38](https://www.lumin.faith/read/matthew/5#38) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “An eye for an eye” in the Bible?

Yes. “An eye for an eye” is in the Bible, at Exodus 21:24. Word for word, the saying is in Matthew 5:38 in the Lumin Translation, a modern English Bible. It is part of the law God gave Israel through Moses, in the rules for judges.

### Where in the Bible is “An eye for an eye”?

In Exodus 21:24, and also Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21 and Matthew 5:38. In the Lumin Translation, Exodus 21:23-25 reads: “But if there is serious injury, you are to give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.”

### Who said “An eye for an eye”?

It is part of the law God gave Israel through Moses, in the rules for judges.

### What does “An eye for an eye” mean in the Bible?

It set a limit: the penalty could match the harm and go no further. Jesus quotes it in Matthew 5:38-39 and tells his followers not to pay back a wrong at all.

## More

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