Deterrence, retribution (punishment), compensation, protection of society and reform of the offender. Did Jesus think any of these ideas were important?
	Jesus clearly advocated endless forgiveness (see Matthew 18:21-22 'Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother…up to seven times? Jesus answered: "I tell you, not seven times but seventy-seven times."'). Nevertheless, he was not afraid to be forceful where necessary. His rhetoric against the Pharisees, who had a reputation for following the law minutely, scrupulously and pitilessly, could be fierce (see Matthew 23.23 'You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell!') Jesus seems to have varied his approach and language to suit the context. To those who were weak and broken he spoke words of encouragement, while to those who were secure in their self-satisfaction, his language was a tool to shake their foundations. It seems clear that Jesus saw human activity within the context of the righteousness and judgment of God, but his attitude towards human systems of punishment could be seen as negative (see notes for Question 2). It is difficult to imagine Jesus taking anyone to court! On the other hand, Jesus was preaching a gospel of repentance and rebirth, and the gospels only relate to a short period of his life. A refusal to be involved in human systems of law and punishment is, perhaps, easier if you have no family, no home and no property, and if you and your followers believe that a radical change is about to take place in the world (e.g the events believed to be heralded by the coming of the Messiah). What do you think?
	Read the incident in Luke 22:19-26 Here his opponents are trying to trick Jesus into admissions of disloyalty to the state that would condemn him as a traitor. What do you think the phrase 'Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God' means in everyday life? People sometimes say that the church should not get involved in politics. How can you distinguish between what is 'secular' and what is 'religious'?