Lex talionis in early Judaism and the exhortation of Jesus in Matthew 5:38--42

The problem addressed can be synthesized into three questions: (1) how do Jesus' statements in Matthew 5:38--42 relate to the OT talionic commands; (2) how does Jesus' statement relate to NT era Judaism; and (3) what did Jesus require for his disciples and the church?;The OT text of Leviticus 24 provides the strongest case that a literal application of the talion, and not financial compensation, for intentional maiming incidents toward persons was intended for Israel. In Exodus 22 and Deuteronomy 19 focus on the first element of the formula, "life for life" to be applied literally and judicially with the trailing formulas put in place as a principle of proportional justice.;In the second century A.D. and later, Jewish rabbinic leadership was essentially unified that the OT did not require a literal talion, but that financial penalties could be substituted in court matters. However, in the first century A.D. evidence as was seen espoused by Philo and Rabbi Eliezer, as well as Josephus, supports the position that application of literal talion in judicial matters was a major and viable Jewish viewpoint. These competing views must have been debated in Jewish circles. Jesus addresses the disciples regarding offending situations from the perspective of the offended, while the Law addresses it from the offender's perspective. Jesus' ethic surpasses the ethic of the Jewish leadership and goes beyond the teaching of what was required in the OT Law. His instruction represents a new perspective from the OT lex talionis texts or NT era Judaism, as well as a higher standard of righteousness.;Jesus commands the general principle of not retaliating against the evil person, followed by four examples. The evil person from the perspective of the offended party is: (1) whoever slaps you, (2) whoever sues for your cloak, (3) whoever compels you to go one mile, and (4) whoever asks to borrow. The prohibition against retaliation turns to imperatival action: (1) turning the other cheek, (2) giving up your garment, (3) going an extra mile, and (4) not denying a financial request. Jesus intended these to be concretely applied as borne out by the teaching itself, the example Jesus exhibited when offended, the NT and early church fathers.