In Matthew the message of non-violence is very fitting for our world, at a time when there is such violence, in our streets, and threats of war that could devastate the whole population of the universe. The word of Jesus really presses us to place our trust in God, and follow His way of non-violence to peace. To respond with an equal degree of force, or violence is to add to the intensity of violence in the universe.

Such violence was done in earlier times. Naboth's vineyard is a horrific story of the immense power of the human heart to turn good to evil. The king when he is frustrated in his desire to acquire property for his own pleasure allows his wife to set up a plot. There is violence done to Naboth. He had defended his right to his land as something given to his family by Yahweh. Yet he is accused of offending Yahweh. King Ahab put on a mere show of justice. What Naboth held precious as a gift of God was wrested from him for the enjoyment of the king by a mockery of the holy. To be holy is to know that violence is not God's way.