Jesus is referring to the law that was given by God through Moses to the people of Israel as they gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19—Numbers 10).1 This law was the subject of much study and reflection. At the time when Jesus ministered, an oral tradition had developed to complement the law, expanding and explaining details in an attempt to help God’s people obey it.
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’