Cross-Testament Parallels¶
EXO 21:24 (Eye for Eye) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT 5:38 | 0.384 | 0.64 | 0.20 | 0.00 | eye, tooth |
| MAT 7:3 | 0.265 | 0.48 | 0.10 | 0.00 | eye |
| LUK 6:41 | 0.263 | 0.47 | 0.10 | 0.00 | eye |
| Note: Strong match. Jesus directly quotes Exodus 21:24 in Matthew 5:38. |
LEV 24:20 (Lex Talionis) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAT 5:38 | 0.323 | 0.52 | 0.20 | 0.00 | eye, tooth |
| Note: Confirms the EXO 21:24 parallel. Both lex talionis passages point to MAT 5:38. |
MAT 5:38 (Eye for Eye) -> OT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEU 19:21 | 0.398 | 0.63 | 0.20 | 0.00 | eye, tooth |
| EXO 21:24 | 0.384 | 0.64 | 0.20 | 0.00 | eye, tooth |
| LEV 24:20 | 0.323 | 0.52 | 0.20 | 0.00 | eye, tooth |
| Note: Matthew 5:38 maps back to all three OT lex talionis passages: Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, and Deuteronomy 19:21. This is the clearest NT-to-civil-law connection. |
EXO 21:12 (Murder Law) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEB 9:27 | 0.312 | 0.56 | 0.10 | 0.00 | die |
| ROM 5:7 | 0.288 | 0.51 | 0.10 | 0.00 | die |
| Note: Weak thematic connections only -- keyword "die" without specific legal parallel. |
EXO 22:1 (Theft Restitution) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JHN 10:10 | 0.329 | 0.59 | 0.10 | 0.00 | thief |
| JHN 10:1 | 0.304 | 0.54 | 0.10 | 0.00 | thief |
| REV 16:15 | 0.283 | 0.50 | 0.10 | 0.00 | thief |
| Note: NT "thief" references are metaphorical, not legal. No NT passage directly cites EXO 22:1 restitution formulas. |
EXO 21:1 (Judgments Formula) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAS 4:12 | 0.302 | 0.60 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| ACT 22:4 | 0.300 | 0.60 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| MAT 12:20 | 0.284 | 0.51 | 0.10 | 0.00 | justice |
| Note: MAT 12:20 (justice) has a thematic link. JAS 4:12 (one lawgiver) is conceptually related. |
EXO 23:1 (False Report/Witness) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JHN 5:31 | 0.319 | 0.58 | 0.10 | 0.00 | witness |
| MAT 19:18 | 0.268 | 0.48 | 0.10 | 0.00 | witness |
| 1TI 5:19 | 0.267 | 0.53 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Note: "Witness" theme continues in NT but within different judicial context. |
DEU 4:13 (Covenant = Ten Commandments) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2CO 3:3 | 0.262 | 0.39 | 0.20 | 0.00 | stone, tablet |
| HEB 10:16 | 0.196 | 0.32 | 0.10 | 0.00 | covenant |
| Note: 2 Corinthians 3:3 ("tables of stone") is the clearest NT parallel -- Paul contrasts the stone tablets with the Spirit writing on hearts. HEB 10:16 echoes the covenant concept. |
DEU 17:8 (Judicial Appeal System) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEB 9:12 | 0.298 | 0.48 | 0.20 | 0.00 | blood, place |
| HEB 13:12 | 0.284 | 0.45 | 0.20 | 0.00 | blood, gate |
| Note: Keyword overlap ("blood," "gate") rather than structural parallel. No NT passage directly mirrors the Deuteronomic appellate system. |
GEN 9:6 (Blood for Blood) -> NT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JHN 1:13 | 0.341 | 0.61 | 0.10 | 0.00 | blood |
| 1CO 11:7 | 0.337 | 0.60 | 0.10 | 0.00 | image |
| COL 1:15 | 0.319 | 0.56 | 0.10 | 0.00 | image |
| MAT 23:35 | 0.321 | 0.58 | 0.10 | 0.00 | blood |
| Note: 1CO 11:7 and COL 1:15 ("image of God") connect to the theological basis of Gen 9:6 (man made in God's image). MAT 23:35 (blood of righteous Abel) connects to blood-guilt theme. |
ROM 13:1 (Civil Authority Ordained) -> OT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA 86:14 | 0.357 | 0.65 | 0.10 | 0.00 | soul |
| 2CH 20:6 | 0.346 | 0.69 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| PSA 82:8 | 0.340 | 0.67 | 0.00 | 0.00 | |
| Note: PSA 82:8 ("Arise, O God, judge the earth") is thematically relevant. 2CH 20:6 ("art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms?") connects to divine sovereignty over civil authority. |
ROM 13:4 (Minister of God, Sword) -> OT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOB 2:3 | 0.462 | 0.68 | 0.40 | 0.00 | afraid, evil, servant, vain |
| 1SA 20:7 | 0.428 | 0.69 | 0.30 | 0.00 | evil, good, servant |
| ECC 8:12 | 0.399 | 0.62 | 0.30 | 0.00 | afraid, evil, good |
| Note: The "good/evil" and "servant/minister" vocabulary is shared but thematic rather than direct legal parallel. |
1CO 6:1 (Judicial Disputes in Church) -> OT¶
| Reference | Hybrid | Sem | Key | Theo | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DAN 7:25 | 0.348 | 0.63 | 0.10 | 0.00 | law |
| Note: Weak connections. The OT judicial system (Deu 17:8-13) does not emerge as a direct parallel, suggesting Paul's instruction is addressing a different institutional context. |
Summary of Key Findings¶
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Strongest parallel: EXO 21:24/LEV 24:20/DEU 19:21 <-> MAT 5:38. Jesus directly quotes the lex talionis (civil penalty formula) and reinterprets it. This is the clearest evidence of NT engagement with OT civil law.
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DEU 4:13 <-> 2CO 3:3. Paul's "tables of stone" reference confirms the Deuteronomy 4:13 distinction between the covenant (Ten Commandments on stone) and other legislation. The stone/Spirit contrast reinforces the moral law's enduring character.
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GEN 9:6 <-> 1CO 11:7/COL 1:15. The "image of God" theological basis for civil law (Gen 9:6 is the pre-Mosaic blood-for-blood principle) finds NT echo in passages affirming the imago Dei.
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No direct NT citation of specific civil restitution formulas. The theft laws (EXO 22:1-9), property laws, and servant laws do not appear to be directly quoted or cited in the NT.
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ROM 13:1-7 has no strong single OT parallel -- it represents a general principle of divine sovereignty over civil authority rather than citing any specific OT civil law text.
Generated: 2026-02-23