Revenge is presented as the outward expression of an unresolved grudge, forming the final and most dangerous stage in a progression that begins with an unforgiving attitude. This progression moves from an unforgiving heart to a grudge, then to vengeance, placing a person on the very edge of sin. The connection between grudge-holding and revenge is direct and inseparable: no one seeks vengeance against someone they have already forgiven. Revenge only becomes possible once a grudge has been allowed to grow to the point that it begins to control a person's attitude and actions. This growth is compared to an infected wound that spreads in strength and influence the longer it remains unchecked, illustrating how something that begins internally as resentment can eventually manifest externally as retaliation. The remedy for this progression lies in forgiving as quickly as possible, since delaying forgiveness—even after an apology has been offered—creates the conditions in which resentment can take root and eventually mature into a grudge, and from there into vengeance. Dwelling on feelings of hurt rather than actively working through them is described as a "gateway" toward this dangerous trajectory. The only way to halt a grudge, and therefore prevent it from developing into vengeful action, is a change of attitude rooted in humility. Humility requires placing the wellbeing of the offending person above one's own desire to hold onto the grudge, recognizing that the responsibility to forgive belongs solely to the individual and, more importantly, is a direct command from God. This teaching is grounded in Leviticus 19:18, which is presented as both diagnosing the problem and providing the solution. The verse explicitly commands against taking vengeance and against even bearing a grudge, since a grudge is something that exists internally in the mind and heart, preceding any external act. God's instruction not only forbids the act of revenge but also forbids harboring the internal attitude that leads to it. The solution given in the same verse—loving one's neighbor as oneself—requires lowering oneself in humility and demonstrating godly character strong enough to love another person regardless of the offense committed against them. Ultimately, forgiving quickly and with love is framed as the means of breaking the chain that leads toward vengeance, since preventing a grudge from forming in the first place removes the possibility of it ever developing into retaliatory action. An unforgiving attitude is described as one of the fastest paths toward sin, making the swift, humble practice of forgiveness essential to avoiding the destructive progression that culminates in revenge.

Jesus Christ taught that one must love enemies, bless those who curse, do good to those who hate, and pray for those who spitefully use or persecute. This requires not rendering evil for evil or seeking to get even. Vengeance belongs to God alone, who will repay. One must not take the situation out of His hands or administer what seems to be justice. Instead one must meditate beforehand, settle the mind to behave as God does, and respond with courtesy and friendliness even to those who wrong. If an enemy hungers or thirsts one must feed or give drink, thereby showing right actions and overcoming evil with good. Jesus set the example by not reviling when reviled, not threatening when suffering, and committing Himself to Him who judges righteously. On the cross He prayed that the Father would forgive those crucifying Him rather than seek revenge. When disciples wished to call fire down on rejecting Samaritans He rebuked them, stating that they did not know what manner of spirit they were of, for anger, vengeance, and killing do not belong to God. The Son of Man came not to destroy lives but to save them. David likewise refrained from acting on his desire that an enemy's house not continue, leaving the decision to God.

Judah becomes filled with a hateful desire to avenge the malicious harm perpetrated on him and especially his family. Driven by the hate and the thought of revenge Judah spends the next three years as a condemned slave barely surviving in the bowels of Roman war ships. The sheik tells Judah that the Tribune Messala is the champion in the races at Jerusalem and that it would be an excellent opportunity for Judah to exact his revenge on Messala. Balthazar warns Judah that the hate and desire for revenge is eating him up and that only God has the right to judge. Esther begs Judah not to continue to let the hate of vengeance eat him up. The experience at the Valley of the Lepers drives Judah further into the depths of the hateful desire for revenge. Esther tells Judah that he has actually become Messala. Pilate warns Judah that he has had his revenge and that Messala has been destroyed. Judah replies that it would not be over until every Roman is driven from the streets of Judea. Judah cannot see that he himself is being shaped by the human nature of the very world he hates by his thirst for vengeance. The destructive sword of revenge is replaced by peace if one follows the lead of Jesus Christ. The story in the film deals with the choices made in the area of vengeance.

Revenge need not be dramatic or violent to be sin. Paul's command to repay no one evil for evil and not to avenge ourselves, but to give place to wrath because vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:17-19), was written to faithful Christians who were surely not acting as vigilantes. The vengeance he warns against can be as small as answering one morsel of gossip with another, or saying something true about a person that is neither appropriate nor helpful, since godly love covers a multitude of sins. Hidden anger works through subtle retaliation in which no fury is seen and only a little damage is done, just enough to cut another down to size. It shows up in purposeful unfaithfulness to commitments, intentional procrastination to keep others off balance, doing a task poorly out of resentment, withholding good it is in one's power to do, giving mixed messages, withholding needed information to punish someone, secretly rejoicing at another's calamity, and pouting when a rival prospers. Paul's repeated warnings against bitterness, wrath, anger, malice, and evil speaking (Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8) address these many degrees of intensity and visibility. Such retaliation springs from the heart and destroys both the one who harbors it and others. Those who make a habit of it will not fit in God's Family. Disciples instead love one another, seeking others' well-being even at personal cost, and that love is not provoked, thinks no evil, and does not rejoice in iniquity (I Corinthians 13).

Christians must never repay evil with evil, because retaliation is the spirit of murder, and no one with that spirit can be in God's Kingdom. Jesus taught that anger without cause and contemptuous words put a person in danger of judgment, since hatred and murder are one process. When He said not to resist an evil person and to turn the other cheek, He was warning against building a hatred-based case against those who wrong us; the remedy is to remove bitterness from the heart by doing good. Jesus lived this, praying "Father, forgive them" at the cross and refusing to call on twelve legions of angels. Paul repeats the teaching in Romans 12: repay no one evil for evil, live peaceably as far as possible, and do not avenge yourselves, for "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord." Feeding a hungry enemy is the proper response. Peter likewise says to bless rather than revile. Vengeance belongs to God alone, because only He knows every facet of the circumstances and can judge perfectly. Because God has pledged to fight our battles at the time and in the manner He judges best, the Christian has no reason to go to war or retaliate. This standard can be lived only by those who have God's Spirit and live by faith, as citizens of His Kingdom rather than of this world.