Ungodly people are often vengeful, and even Christians are not always exemplary in this respect. However, each case should be considered on its merits, and the claims of justice taken into account.
Revenge among the ungodly
Luke 6:11 parallels Matthew 12:14, Mark 3:6 See also Genesis 4:24 Compare Lamech's words with those of Jesus Christ in Matthew 18:21–22; 1 Kings 19:2 Jezebel; 1 Kings 22:27 Ahab; Esther 3:6 Haman; Ezekiel 25:15 the PhilistinesMark 6:19, Mark 6:24 Acts 5:33 the Sanhedrin; Acts 23:12 unbelieving Jews
But the scribes and Pharisees were filled with rage and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.
Revenge among God's people
Judges 8:4–9; Esther 9:1, Esther 9:5 See also Genesis 16:5–6; Galatians 4:30; Judges 16:28–30 Samson; 1 Samuel 25:10–13; 2 Samuel 10:4–7 David did not retaliate at once, but only when a military threat appeared; 2 Samuel 3:27 Joab; Luke 9:51–56 James and John; John 18:10–11 Peter; Acts 23:2–5 Paul
Then Gideon and his three hundred men came to the Jordan and crossed it, exhausted yet still in pursuit. So Gideon said to the men of Succoth, “Please give my troops some bread, for they are exhausted, and I am still pursuing Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.” But the leaders of Succoth asked, “Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna already in your possession, that we should give bread to your army?” “Very well,” Gideon replied, “when the LORD has delivered Zebah and Zalmunna into my hand, I will tear your flesh with the thorns and briers of the wilderness!” From there he went up to Penuel and asked the same from them, but the men of Penuel gave the same response as the men of Succoth. So Gideon told the men of Penuel, “When I return in triumph, I will tear down this tower!”
On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar, the king’s command and edict were to be executed. On this day the enemies of the Jews had hoped to overpower them, but their plan was overturned and the Jews overpowered those who hated them.
The Jews put all their enemies to the sword, killing and destroying them, and they did as they pleased to those who hated them.
Examples of non-retaliation
By Jesus Christ
1 Peter 2:23 See also Isaiah 50:6–7, Isaiah 53:7; Luke 23:34
When they heaped abuse on Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats, but entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
By David
1 Samuel 24:1–12; Psalm 35:11–14, Psalm 35:17, Psalm 38:12–15
By others
Genesis 50:15–21 Joseph; 1 Samuel 12:23 Samuel; 1 Kings 22:24–25 Micaiah; Job 31:29 Job; Acts 7:59–60 Stephen
Expressions of desire for revenge
Psalm 28:4, Psalm 109:8–14, Psalm 137:8–9; Jeremiah 15:15, Jeremiah 18:21; Galatians 1:8–9, Galatians 5:12; Revelation 6:10, Revelation 16:5–7, Revelation 18:6, Revelation 18:20
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.