Exodus 21: “Justice, Mercy, and Responsibility in Daily Life”
1. From Commandments to Cases
“Now these are the ordinances that you shall set before them.” (Ex 21:1)
God moves from principles to practice.
This chapter does not replace the Ten Commandments;
it shows how they are lived.
The Church does the same:
Creed → morality
Worship → daily conduct
St Augustine of Hippo explains:
“The Law descends into daily life so that holiness may be lived, not admired.”
(Sermons)
2. Laws About Servants: Protection, Not Approval
“When you buy a servant…” (v. 2)
This is often misunderstood.
Important Catholic clarification:
This does not approve slavery.
In the ancient world:
Slavery already existed
God limits it
God protects the vulnerable
What God introduces here:
Time limits
Legal rights
Human dignity
Servitude is restricted, not endorsed.
St Gregory of Nyssa strongly states:
“No one who bears God’s image is born a slave.”
(Homilies on Ecclesiastes)
3. Freedom Is the Goal
“In the seventh year he shall go out free.” (v. 2)
Bondage is temporary.
Freedom is God’s intention.
This anticipates:
Jubilee
Christ’s teaching
The Church’s defence of human dignity
4. Family Is Protected
“If he has a wife, then his wife shall go out with him.” (v. 3)
God protects family unity.
Economic hardship must not destroy marriage.
The Church continues this concern:
Work must serve family life, not break it.
5. Choosing to Remain Out of Love
“I love my master… I will not go out free.” (v. 5)
This is not coercion.
It describes freely chosen service.
The Fathers saw here an image of:
Love choosing commitment
Christ choosing obedience
St Augustine of Hippo writes:
“True service is not forced, but chosen by love.”
(Sermons)
6. Protection of Women
“If a man sells his daughter…” (v. 7)
This passage is difficult but important.
Again, God does not invent injustice — He restrains it.
What God requires:
Protection
Provision
No abuse
No abandonment
This law limits male power in a harsh culture.
The Church recognises this as:
God working patiently within history to protect the vulnerable.
7. Violence Is Treated Seriously
“Whoever strikes a man so that he dies shall be put to death.” (v. 12)
Human life is sacred.
This applies the commandment:
“You shall not kill.”
God distinguishes between:
Murder
Accident
Negligence
Justice is careful, not blind.
8. Accidental Harm Is Not Murder
“If he did not lie in wait…” (v. 13)
Intent matters.
Catholic moral teaching has always insisted:
Responsibility depends on intention and circumstance.
This principle remains central to Church teaching today.
9. Violence Against Parents Is Condemned
“Whoever strikes his father or his mother…” (v. 15)
This protects:
Authority
Family order
Respect for life
The family is the first school of justice.
10. Kidnapping Is Condemned
“Whoever steals a man and sells him…” (v. 16)
This is crucial.
Human trafficking is explicitly condemned.
The Church has always cited this verse in defence of human dignity.
St John Chrysostom says:
“To steal a human being is to assault God’s image.”
(Homilies)
11. Cursing Parents Is Serious
“Whoever curses his father or his mother…” (v. 17)
Speech matters.
Words destroy relationships.
This command protects:
Authority
Peace
Honour
The Church continues this teaching on respectful speech.
12. Injury Requires Responsibility
“If men quarrel and one strikes the other…” (vv. 18–19)
God requires:
Compensation
Care
Responsibility
Justice is not revenge.
It is restoration.
13. The Famous “Eye for an Eye”
“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.” (vv. 23–25)
This is often misunderstood.
It does not encourage revenge.
It limits punishment.
The meaning:
The penalty must not exceed the harm done.
St Augustine of Hippo explains:
“This law restrains vengeance; it does not inflame it.”
(Against Faustus)
Christ later fulfils this by teaching mercy, not by denying justice.
14. Equality Before the Law
“If a man strikes the eye of his servant…” (vv. 26–27)
Even servants are protected.
No one is disposable.
This anticipates the Church’s teaching:
All human life has equal dignity.
15. Responsibility for Negligence
“If an ox gores a man…” (vv. 28–29)
This section teaches accountability.
If harm was:
Foreseeable
Preventable
Then responsibility exists.
Catholic moral teaching continues this:
Negligence is morally serious.
16. Restitution Is Preferred to Revenge
“He shall pay a ransom.” (v. 30)
Justice aims at:
Repair
Healing
Restoration
This deeply shapes Catholic social teaching.
Key Catholic Themes in Exodus 21
| Theme | Catholic Meaning |
| Law applied | Faith lived daily |
| Human dignity | Every person protected |
| Limits on power | Authority restrained |
| Justice | Proportionate and careful |
| Responsibility | Intention matters |
| Mercy | Restoration preferred |
Christ at the Centre of Exodus 21
The Fathers read this chapter in light of Christ:
Law restraining harm → Christ healing hearts
Justice limiting violence → mercy perfecting justice
Protection of the weak → Christ among the poor
St Augustine summarises:
“The Law restrains the hand; Christ heals the heart.”
(Sermons)
Spiritual Application
Live holiness in ordinary life.
Respect the dignity of every person.
Accept responsibility for harm caused.
Seek restoration, not revenge.
Let Christ perfect justice with mercy.
Closing Prayer
Lord God of justice and mercy,
You gave Your law to protect the weak
and guide the strong.
Teach us responsibility in our actions,
restraint in our anger,
and mercy in our judgments.
Shape our daily lives by Your wisdom,
and lead us into the justice fulfilled
by Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Mary's, St. John Bosco and St. Edward's 