Human Tendency to Retaliation and Revenge in Scripture
The human tendency toward retaliation and revenge is a recurring theme in Scripture, often presented in contrast to divine justice and the ethical demands of God's covenant people. While the Old Testament records instances of God's own vengeance and retribution, it also lays foundational principles against personal revenge, which are further developed in the New Testament [1, 2, 5].
The concept of revenge is explicitly forbidden for individuals in the Law, as seen in Leviticus 19:18, which states, "You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself" [5]. Proverbs also warns against seeking personal retribution, advising, "Do not say, 'I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done'" (Proverbs 24:29) [5]. Instead, individuals are encouraged to trust in God for justice, as Proverbs 20:22 suggests: "Do not say, 'I will repay evil'; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you" [5].
Despite these prohibitions, the Bible acknowledges humanity's inclination towards revenge. This tendency is understood as a consequence of the Fall, which resulted in humanity being "evil in heart" and "corrupt and perverse in his ways" [4]. Such a disposition can lead to strife and contention [3]. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, expresses a desire for vengeance against his enemies, though this is interpreted by some as a ministerial rather than personal wish, aligned with God's purposes against those who oppose Him and His servant [8]. The idea of "retribution in kind" appears in various prophetic texts, where the punishment for wrongdoing mirrors the offense itself, as seen in Jeremiah 11:22 regarding those who plot murder [7, 9].
However, the New Testament intensifies the call to forgo personal revenge. Jesus directly addresses the issue in the Sermon on the Mount, instructing his followers to "not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also" (Matthew 5:39) [5]. He further commands love for enemies and prayer for persecutors (Matthew 5:44). The apostle Paul echoes this teaching in Romans 12:17-21, urging believers, "Repay no one evil for evil... Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord'" [5]. This passage directly quotes Deuteronomy 32:35, attributing vengeance to God alone [1]. Paul further advises overcoming evil with good and blessing those who persecute [5]. Similarly, 1 Peter 3:9 instructs believers not to repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but to bless instead [5].
This Christian perspective stands in contrast to ancient Roman thought, where figures like Seneca considered revenge legitimate for restoring social honor [6]. The biblical emphasis, particularly in the New Testament, is on forbearance and love, even towards those who inflict harm [5, 6]. The example of Christ, who did not retaliate when he suffered, serves as the ultimate model for believers (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23) [5]. The rejection of personal revenge is presented as inconsistent with a Christian spirit [5].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Vengeance is mine, and recompense, at the time when their foot slides; for the day of their calamity is at hand. Their doom rushes at them.” -- Deuteronomy 32:35”
- Nahum “Nahum 1:2 (KJV) — God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ambition — God condemns -- Ge 11:7; Isa 5:8. Christ condemns -- Mt 18:1,3,4; 20:25,26; 23:11,12. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1,2. Vanity of -- Job 20:5-9; 24:24; Ps 49:11-20. Leads to strife and contention -- Jas 4:1,2. Punishment of -- Pr 17:19; Isa 14:12-15; Eze 31:10,11; Ob 1:3,4. Connected with Pride. -- Hab 2:5. Covetousness. -- Hab 2:8,9. Cruelty. -- Hab 2:12. Exemplified Adam and Eve. -- Ge 3:5,6. Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11:4. Miriam and Aaron. -- Nu 12:2. Korah, &c. -- Nu 16:3. Absalom. -- 2Sa 15:4; 18:18. Adonijah. -- 1Ki 1:5. Sennacherib. -- 2Ki 19:23. Shebna. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fall of Man, The — By the disobedience of Adam -- Ge 3:6,11,12; Ro 5:12,15,19. Through temptation of the devil -- Ge 3:1-5; 2Co 11:3; 1Ti 2:14. Man in consequence of Made in the image of Adam. -- Ge 5:3; 1Co 15:48,49. Born in sin. -- Job 15:14; 25:4; Ps 51:5; Isa 48:8; Joh 3:6. A child of wrath. -- Eph 2:3. Evil in heart. -- Ge 6:5; 8:21; Jer 16:12; Mt 15:19. Blinded in heart. -- Eph 4:18. Corrupt and perverse in his ways. -- Ge 6:12; Ps 10:5; Ro 3:12-16. Depraved in mind. -- Ro 8:5-7; Eph 4:17; Col 1:21; Tit 1:15. Without understanding. -- Ps 14:2,3; Ro 3:11; 1:31. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 5:15: 5:15 Jesus and the apostles warned against retaliation (Matt 5:38-48; Luke 6:27-36; Rom 12:17-21; 1 Pet 3:9). The Roman author Seneca, by contrast, considered revenge legitimate and necessary as a way of restoring social honor lost because of ill treatment from others. Paul calls Christians to do good—both to members of the church (each other) and to those outside the Christian community (to all people), including their persecutors (1 Thes 2:14; see 3:12; Gal 6:10).”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 11:22: The retribution of their intended murder shall be in kind; just as in Messiah's case (Psa. 69:8-28).”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 11:20: triest . . . heart-- (Rev 2:23). revealed--committed my cause. Jeremiah's wish for vengeance was not personal but ministerial, and accorded with God's purpose revealed to him against the enemies alike of God and of His servant (Psa 37:34; Psa 54:7; Psa 112:8; Psa 118:7).”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 11:5: will hurt--Greek, "wishes," or "desires to hurt them." fire . . . devoureth--(Compare Jer 5:14; Jer 23:29). out of their mouth--not literally, but God makes their inspired denunciations of judgment to come to pass and devour their enemies. if any man will hurt them--twice repeated, to mark the immediate certainty of the accomplishment. in this manner--so in like manner as he tries to hurt them (compare Rev 13:10). Retribution in kind.”