The works of the Reverend and learned John Lightfoot D. D., late Master of Katherine Hall in Cambridge such as were, and such as never before were printed : in two volumes : with the authors life and large and useful tables to each volume : also three maps : one of the temple drawn by the author himself, the others of Jervsalem and the Holy Land drawn according to the author's chorography, with a description collected out of his writings.

VERS. XXXIX.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek.

THAT the Doctrine of Christ may here more clearly shine out, let the Jewish Do∣ctrine be set against it; to which he opposeth his.

z 1.1 Does any one give his neighbour a box on the ear? let him give him a shilling. R. Judah in the name of R. Josi of Galilee saith, Let him give him a pound.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Does he give him a blow upon the cheek? Let him give him two hun∣dred Zuzees: if with the other hand, let him give four hundred. Compare with this passage ver. 39. If any shall strike thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Does he twitch him by the ear, or does he pull off his hair; or does he spit, so that his spittle falls upon him; or does he take away his coat, (Note this also, and com∣pare ver. 40. with it, He that will take away thy coat, &c.) or does he uncover a womans head in publick? Let him give four hundred Zuzees.

They fetch the reason of so severe a mulct chiefly, from the shame done him, that is thus injured, and from the disgrace of the thing it self, and moreover from the dignity of an Israelite: which is declared at large by the Gemarists upon the words cited, and by a 1.2 Maimonides.

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Those mulcts (say they) are established and inflicted according to the dignity of the person injured. But R. Akibah said, Even the poorest Israelites are to be esteemed, as though they were persons of quality, divested of their estates; because they are the Sons of Abra∣ham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Hence the entrance to our Saviours Doctrine lyes easie. 1. He cites the Law of reta∣liation, that by laying one against the other, Christian charity and forgiveness might

shine the clearer. 2. He mentions these particulars, which seemed to be the most unwor∣thy, and not to be born by the high quality of a Jew, that he might the more preach up Evangelical humility, and patience, and self-denial. But why was the law of retalia∣tion given, if at last it is melted down into this? On the same reason, as the Law of death was given concerning Adultery. Namely, for terror, and to demonstrate what the sin was. Both were to be softned by charity; this by forgiveness, that by a bill of divorce, or, if the husband so pleased, by forgiveness also.

Notes

• z 1.1

  Bava Kama, cap. 8. hal. 6.
• a 1.2

  In 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 cap. 1, 2, 3, &c.