The Bible has a lot to say about revenge and how believers should respond when wronged. Overall, the Scriptures strongly discourage taking personal revenge and instead point us to trust God to resolve injustices in His timing. However, the Bible also prescribes appropriate God-honoring behavior for confronting harm and sins committed against us. Here is an in-depth look at 9000 words on what the Bible teaches about revenge:
One of the most direct teachings on revenge comes from Romans 12:17-21 which says, “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This passage contains several key principles:
1. We should not repay evil for evil when wronged but instead do what is honorable.
2. As much as it depends on us, we should live at peace with all people.
3. We should never avenge ourselves – meaning we do not take justice into our own hands.
4. Vengeance belongs to God alone and He will repay each person as He sees fit.
5. We should respond to enemies and persecutors with love and kindness, not evil.
The command to refrain from taking personal revenge is rooted in God’s desire for us to trust that He will make all wrongs right in His perfect timing and according to His standards of true righteousness (Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19). As fallen humans, our hearts are deceitful and our sense of justice is flawed by sin, so God calls us to refrain from vengeance and trust His sovereign purposes. He alone sees all facts and motives perfectly to execute justice – we do not.
Proverbs 20:22 warns about anger and vengeance by stating, “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” And 1 Peter 3:9 reminds us to not “repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” So Scripture consistently directs us to avoid retaliation and trust God.
However, the Bible does not call us to remain passive or quiet when we suffer harm. We have God-given rights that should be protected. There are appropriate, godly ways to confront abuse and evil actions that do not constitute sinful revenge.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 18:15-17 to privately confront brothers who sin against us and graciously call them to repentance. Only if they refuse to listen do we bring others along to continue urging repentance, and even take it before the church if needed. The goal is always restoration – not punishment or getting even.
In Acts 25:16, the Apostle Paul advocated for his legal rights as a Roman citizen to avoid flogging and being handed over to his accusers without trial. He appealed to the governing authorities to be treated justly.
Exodus 21:22-25 established the judicial “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” system – establishing proportional justice and penalties for crimes. So enacting a just legal penalty upon an evildoer through proper authorities is not the same as personal revenge.
When oppression is widespread, the prophets boldly rebuked kings and nations and called them to repent and change their ways (e.g. Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah).
So properly advocating for protection from harm and just legal penalties against wrongdoing is right and good. The key is that our heart motivation should flow from a desire for proper justice – not personal vengeance against someone who hurt or offended us. We must guard our hearts against self-centered anger and bitterness that seeks to hurt others back.
Jesus provides a powerful example of avoiding revenge when He was mocked, beaten and crucified. 1 Peter 2:21-23 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.”
Overall, the Bible clearly teaches us to trust God to deal justly with those who harm us rather than taking up the sword for personal revenge. Our part is to faithfully obey Him, do good to our enemies, and leave room for His justice and wrath – not our own. However, we have every right to seek godly protection under the law and advocate for just punishment against crime. The key is our motivation – taking up God’s cause to uphold justice versus selfishly wanting to inflict harm back on someone who hurt us. As Romans 12:19 reminds us, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God.”
Here is a more detailed look at some of the key Bible passages on revenge and wrong responses when we feel wronged:
1. Exodus 21:22-25 – Eye for Eye, Tooth for Tooth Principle
“When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman’s husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” (Exodus 21:22–25)
This Old Testament passage first establishes proportional justice – the punishment shall fit the crime. The “eye for eye, tooth for tooth” principle ensured the penalty exactly fit the offense – no more, no less. This curbed excessive vengeance. While using this principle to guide a lawful penalty for a crime is just, taking it into our own hands to personally enact revenge is not. Rather, we should trust God and work through proper authorities.
2. Leviticus 19:17-18 – Do Not Hate or Take Revenge
“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:17-18)
This Old Testament command makes clear we should not harbor hatred or seek revenge against others, even when wronged. Instead we should reason with our neighbor, lovingly speak the truth, and freely forgive – just as God forgives us.
3. Psalm 94:1-2 – God Alone Avenges
“O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve!” (Psalm 94:1–2)
This Psalm affirms that ultimate vengeance belongs to the Lord who sees all and judges rightly. We should call out to Him who promises to deal justly with all evil, rather than trying to repay others ourselves.
4. Proverbs 20:22 – Wait for the Lord
“Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” (Proverbs 20:22)
Rather than rushing to vengeance when we feel wronged, this proverb reminds us to wait patiently for the Lord who sees all and will deliver us in His perfect timing.
5. Proverbs 24:29 – Do Not Repay Evil for Evil
“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)
Again, taking personal revenge is strongly discouraged. Repaying evil for evil fails to trust God and often escalates hostilities.
6. Matthew 5:38-42 – Turn the Other Cheek
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38–42)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus referenced the eye for eye legal principle but called His followers to go beyond strict justice to generously love enemies and break cycles of revenge by turning the other cheek. He modeled this on the cross by forgiving His executioners.
7. Luke 6:27-31 – Love Your Enemies
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:27-31)
Jesus again preaches radical love for enemies – doing good, blessing, praying for and serving those who harm us. This love goes beyond the requirements of basic justice and entrusts justice to God rather than taking matters into our own hands.
8. Romans 12:14-21 – Leave Room for God’s Wrath
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 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.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:14-21)
Paul summarizes it well here – we should live at peace with all, do not retaliate when harmed but overcome evil with good, and refrain from vengeance but trust God’s wrath to deal justly.
9. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Always Do Good
“See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” (1 Thessalonians 5:15)
No matter what others may do, we are to keep doing good and entrust justice to the Lord. This prevents revenge and bitterness from taking root.
10. Hebrews 10:30 – God Will Judge
“For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.”” (Hebrews 10:30)
Quoting the Old Testament, the author reminds us God alone has the right to take vengeance. He will judge each person – so we can leave justice with Him.
11. 1 Peter 3:8-9 – Do Not Repay Evil
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9)
Peter exhorts believers to live in humility, unity and compassion with one another, not repaying wrong with more wrong. Just as Jesus absorbed evil on the cross without retaliating, so should we.
In summary, the consistent witness of Scripture is that vengeance belongs to God alone. While God has established lawful governing authorities to enforce justice (Romans 13:1-5), individuals are warned strongly against taking personal revenge when we feel wronged. We are to love our enemies, do good, entrust justice to God, and break cycles of revenge with forgiveness. Our motivation should be love and grace – not bitterness, punishment or getting even. When injustices cannot be resolved one-on-one, we can advocate for protection and lawful penalties against wrongdoing through proper channels. But revenge should be left to the Lord who alone sees all facts and motives perfectly. He will repay evil and ultimately right every wrong justly and completely.