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Matthew 5:21, 22 - What Does Murder, Hatred And Anger Have In Common?

Mat.5:21, 22: What Does Murder, Hatred And Anger Have In Common?

Matthew 5:21, 22 (NIV)  "You have heard that it was said to the 
people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject 
to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his 
brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his 
brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 
'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 

DEVOTIONAL PEARL

"You have heard that it was said"'Do not murder'" Matt. 5:21-26. 
This is the first of six illustrations Jesus used to explain 
surpassing righteousness. All had heard the Old Testament Law that 
legislated against murder. The act of killing was wrong. 
But Jesus went on to explain that God is not just concerned with 
murder. He noted the anger that flared up and led to murder! The truly 
righteous person is not one who just refrains from murder. He or she is 
one who does not respond to others with anger. 
In this and in the following illustrations Jesus emphasized 
God's concern with the heart. Keeping the law about not murdering 
makes no one righteous. The truly righteous man is the one who does 
not become angry! 
Actually, this kind of perfect righteousness is beyond us all. 
That's why we must become citizens of Jesus' kingdom. Only Christ's 
work in our hearts can transform us into the persons God calls us to 
be. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

THE FOLLOWING ARE FOR THOSE WHO DESIRE DEEPER STUDY:

CONTENT; What's in the verse; Translations; Paraphrase; Word 
Study:  

Matthew 5:21, 22 (KJV)  Ye have heard that it was said by them 
of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be 
in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is 
angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the 
judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger 
of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in 
danger of hell fire.  

Matthew 5:21, 22 (NIV)  "You have heard that it was said to the 
people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject 
to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his 
brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his 
brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 
'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 

Matthew 5:21, 22 (NLT)  "You have heard that the law of Moses 
says, 'Do not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to 
judgment.' But I say, if you are angry with someone, you are subject to 
judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought 
before the high council. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of 
the fires of hell. 

Matthew 5:21, 22 (AMP)  You have heard that it was said to the 
men of old, You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to 
and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court. [Ex 20:13; 
Deut 5:17; 16:18.]  But I say to you that everyone who continues to 
be angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) 
against him shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment 
imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly 
to his brother shall be liable to and unable to escape the 
punishment imposed by the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, You cursed fool! 
[You empty-headed idiot!] shall be liable to and unable to escape the 
hell (Gehenna) of fire.  

YE HAVE HEARD / IT WAS SAID

Ye have heard. Jesus now proceeds to give specific examples of 
His interpretation of the law. As its Author, He is its only true 
exponent. Sweeping away the rubbish of rabbinical casuistry, Jesus 
restored truth to its original beauty and luster. The expression "ye have 
heard" implies that the majority of the audience upon this occasion had 
not read the law for themselves. This was only to be expected, for 
most of them were ordinary peasants and fishermen. When conversing 
with the learned priests and elders, Jesus later inquired, "Did ye 
never read in the scriptures?" (ch. 21:42). [SDA Commentary] 

It was said. The contrast that Jesus sets up is not between the 
OT and his teaching (he has just established the validity of the OT 
Law). Rather, it is between externalistic interpretation of the 
rabbinic tradition on the one hand, and Jesus' correct interpretation of 
the Law on the other. [NIV SB] 

BUT I SAY UNTO YOU

But I say unto you. The rabbis cited tradition as their 
authority for the interpretation of the law; Christ spoke on His own 
authority, and this fact distinguished His teaching from that of the 
rabbis, as the people were quick to observe (see Matt. 7:29; see on Luke 
4:22). The expression "but I say unto you" appears six times in (see 
vs. 22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44) Matt. 5. Christ showed that His 
requirements went far beyond the mere form of the law and that they included 
the spirit that would impart life and meaning to what was otherwise 
only form. He set forth six specific examples by way of making clear 
the distinction between outward acts and the motives that prompt 
those acts. This contrast, which runs like a thread of gold through 
the Sermon on the Mount, makes the address the supreme statement of 
the Christian philosophy of life, the greatest exposition of ethics 
of all time. Christ pointed out how far reaching the requirements 
of the law really are and emphasized that mere outward conformity 
to law avails nothing. [SDA Commentary] 

Jesus fulfilled all God had done for, given to, and promised 
Israel. His teachings did not replace the Old Testament. They 
represented the completion of and accomplishment of the Old Testament. He 
lived out what He taught and thus was the only person to be what the 
Old Testament taught all people should be. Jesus' teachings 
completed the Old Testament at the level of motivation and intentions. 
Jesus called people to join God's kingdom and be like God. We trust in 
Jesus' likeness to God as our Savior even while we work toward godly 
character in Christ. [Disciple SB] 

KILL VS MURDER

Several Hebrew and Greek verbs mean "kill." The ones used here 
and in Ex 20:13 specifically mean "murder." [NIV SB] 

ANGRY WITH HIS BROTHER

Angry with his brother. Murder is an end result of anger. But a 
man may hide his anger from his fellow men, even from those who are 
the objects of his anger. The best that the courts can do is to 
punish acts that result from anger; God alone is able to go to the root 
of the matter, and to condemn and punish a man for anger itself. 
[SDA Commentary] 

Anger destroys human relationships. At the very least, it 
destroys compassion. At the worst, it can threaten life itself. [Disciple 
SB] 

WITHOUT A CAUSE

Without a cause. Textual evidence favors the omission of this 
phrase. It appears to imply Christ's approval of anger toward a 
"brother" who has done something to merit it, and seems contrary to 
Christ's teachings with respect to loving one's enemies and doing good to 
those who harbor hatred in their hearts (v. 44).  On the other hand, 
the Scriptures indicate that anger against sin may be justifiable 
(see on Mark 3:5), when the personal element is entirely absent and 
the righteous indignation is directed solely against evil itself 
(see Ex. 32:19; John 2:14-17; etc.). There is a certain sense in 
which God is spoken of as being angry (see Num. 25:4; Isa. 13:9; 
30:27; 42:25; Dan. 9:16; etc.). It is thus clear that righteous 
indignation against acts that dishonor God or bring injury to innocent 
persons is not to be condemned . [SDA Commentary] 

JUDGMENT

Judgment. This probably refers to the verdict of the local court 
of a town or city, and implies that the anger had found expression 
in threats or deeds. [SDA Commentary] 

THE COUNCIL

The council. here probably the local sanhedrin, or court, rather 
than the Great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. [SDA Commentary] 

RACA

Raca. Gr. rhaka, probably a transliteration of the Aramaic reqa' 
(Heb, reqah), meaning "good for nothing," "stupid." It is an 
expression of strong contempt. [SDA Commentary] 

Raca. May be related to the Aramaic word for "empty" and mean 
"Empty-head!" [NIV SB] 

Raca is an Aramaic word which means "stupid," "vain," or 
"empty-headed." [Believer's SB] 

Raca. "good-for-nothing", or "empty-head." [Ryrie SB]

THOU FOOL

Thou fool. Gr. mōros, "dull," "stupid," "foolish." It has 
been suggested that mōros is related to the Heb. marah, "to be 
contentious," "to be refractory," "to be rebellious." Whereas rhaka expresses 
contempt for one's intelligence, or rather the lack of it, mōros, as 
here used, seems also to include contempt for one's motives. In the 
first case the person is called "stupid," in the second, "scoundrel," 
implying malicious intent. If Christ refused to bring a "railing 
accusation" against the devil (Jude 9), we should refrain from doing so in 
regard to our fellow men. We are to leave with God the work of judging 
and condemning a man because of his motives. [SDA Commentary] 

"Fool" may be a transliteration of the Hebrew, "rebel" (cf. Ps 
78:8; Jer 5:23). This word was used by Moses of the Israelites at 
Meribah, when his disobedience caused him to be prevented from entering 
the Promised Land (Num 20:10). Although there is a progression in 
the evil attitudes cited, Jesus intends to show that behind the 
overt act of murder is the disposition of anger, hostility, or 
contempt. Thus, although attitudes may not be tried in court, they are as 
dangerous as the overt acts of wrong for which one is tried in court or 
for which one stands in danger of hell fire, unless one experiences 
God's forgiveness in Christ. [Believer's SB] 

HELL

Hell fire. Literally, "the Gehenna [Gr. geenna] of fire," or 
"the hell of fire." Geenna, "hell," is a transliteration of the 
Hebrew ge' ben hinnom, "valley of Hinnom," or ge' ben hinnom, "valley 
of the son of Hinnom" (Joshua 15:8), the valley to the south and 
west of Jerusalem that meets with the Kidron Valley immediately south 
of the City of David and the Pool of Siloam (see on Jer. 19:2). 
Wicked King Ahaz seems to have introduced the barbaric heathen rite of 
burning infant children to Molech at a high place called Tophet, in the 
Valley of Hinnom (2 Chron. 28:3), during the days of Isaiah... Manasseh, 
a grandson of Ahaz, restored this practice (2 Chron. 33:1, 6; cf. 
Jer. 32:35). Years later good King Josiah formally desecrated the 
high places in the Valley of Hinnom, where this appalling form of 
worship had been conducted (2 Kings 23:10), so bringing it to a halt. In 
retribution for this and other evils God forewarned His people that the 
Valley of Hinnom would one day become "the valley of slaughter" for 
"the carcases of this people" (Jer. 7:32, 33; Jer. 19:6; cf. Isa. 
30:33). Accordingly, the fires of Hinnom became symbolic of the 
consuming fire of the last great day of judgment and the punishment of the 
wicked (cf. Isa. 66:24).... The tradition that makes the Valley of 
Gehenna a place for burning rubbish, and thus a type of the fires of the 
last day, appears to have originated with Rabbi Kimchi, a Jewish 
scholar of the 12th and 13th centuries. Ancient Jewish literature knows 
nothing of such an idea. The earlier rabbis base the idea of Gehenna as 
a type of the fires of the last day on Isa. 31:9. [SDA 
Commentary] 

Hell. The Greek word is ge(h)enna, which derives its name from a 
deep ravine south of Jerusalem, the "Valley of (the Sons of) Hinnom" 
(Hebrew ge hinnom). During the reigns of the wicked Ahaz and Manasseh, 
human sacrifices to the Ammonite god Molech were offered there. Josiah 
desecrated the valley because of the pagan worship there (2Ki 23:10; see 
Jer 7:31-32; 19:6). It became a sort of perpetually burning city 
dump and later a figure for the place of final punishment. [NIV SB] 

The word translated "hell" is a place in the valley of Hinnom 
where human sacrifices had been offered (cf. Jer. 7:31) and where the 
continuous burning of rubbish made it an apt illustration of the lake of 
fire. [Ryrie SB] 

CONTEXT; What's around the verse; Overview; Topic:

Overview
Jesus announced blessings for citizens of His kingdom (5:1-12). 
He expects citizens of His kingdom to do good deeds (vv. 13-16), 
for He requires a righteousness that surpasses that of even the 
zealous Pharisees (vv. 17-20). Christ looked behind the acts the Law 
regulated to call for purity of heart (vv. 21-42) and that crowning 
expression of kingdom righteousness: a love like the Heavenly Father's for 
one's enemies (vv. 43-48). [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

5:17-48 The Fulfilled Law: Divine Perfection
Jesus gave five examples of the fulfillment of the law. He 
corrected a possible misunderstanding concerning the purpose of his coming 
(5:17-20). He did not come to abolish the law (5:17). But he did come to 
demand perfection (cf. 5:48). Jesus had just spoken of good works 
(5:16), and he, like the prophets of old, demanded the same holy 
character and acts of obedience. He brought no new way of living in God's 
kingdom. He simply expanded and deepened God's long-standing desire for 
his creation's obedience and holiness. He started with the 
Pharisees' standard of righteousness: obedience to the law. But he applied 
that law not only to the external deeds that a person might do, but 
also to the attitudes and thoughts in the depths of a person's heart. 
Fulfilled law is no longer the law imposed upon a person from the outside, 
but that which is written on the heart and becomes an integral part 
of that person (cf. 5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44). If the law becomes 
internalized, obedience becomes instinctive and pleasant, not something a 
person is forced to do. Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus 
called his hearers to move from external obedience to an obedience 
motivated by the law written upon the heart (5:22, 28, 32, 34, 39, 44; 
6:19-24).... 
Five examples of how the Pharisees failed to fulfill the law 
were given in 5:21-28: (1) murder and anger 5:21-26; (2) adultery and 
lust 5:27-32; (3) vows and simplicity (5:33-37; cf. Lev. 19:12; Num. 
30:2); (4) revenge and nonresistance (Matt. 5:38-42); and (5) loving 
enemies (5:43-48).... 
In 5:21-48 Jesus rejected the Pharisaic interpretation of the 
law as superficial. He emphasized inner conformity to the spirit of 
the law rather than mere outward conformity to the letter of the 
law. The true requirements of the law were highlighted to convict 
listeners of their need to turn to Jesus, the one true source of 
righteousness. [New Bible Companion] 

SECTION HEADINGS

Personal Relationships
Jesus Teaches About Anger

CROSS REFERENCES; What's in verses elsewhere.

Exodus 21:12-14 (KJV)  He that smiteth a man, so that he die, 
shall be surely put to death. [13] And if a man lie not in wait, but 
God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place 
whither he shall flee. [14] But if a man come presumptuously upon his 
neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, 
that he may die.  

Numbers 35:30 (KJV)  Whoso killeth any person, the murderer 
shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall 
not testify against any person to cause him to die.  

Psalm 37:8 (KJV)  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not 
thyself in any wise to do evil.  

Matthew 5:23-24 (KJV)  Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the 
altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 
[24] Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be 
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.  

Matthew 5:44 (KJV)  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless 
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them 
which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  

Matthew 10:28 (KJV)  And fear not them which kill the body, but 
are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to 
destroy both soul and body in hell.  

Matthew 18:35 (KJV)  So likewise shall my heavenly Father do 
also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his 
brother their trespasses.  

Ephes. 4:26-27 (KJV)  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun 
go down upon your wrath: [27] Neither give place to the devil.  

Ephes. 4:31, 32 (KJV)  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, 
and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all 
malice: [32] And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one 
another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.  

Titus 3:2 (KJV)  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but 
gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.  

1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)  Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for 
railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, 
that ye should inherit a blessing.  

1 John 2:9 (KJV)  He that saith he is in the light, and hateth 
his brother, is in darkness even until now.  

1 John 3:14, 15 (KJV)  We know that we have passed from death 
unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his 
brother abideth in death. [15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a 
murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.  

1 John 4:20, 21 (KJV)  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his 
brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath 
seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [21] And this 
commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.  
 
COMMENTARY / APPLICATION: Moving From The Head To The Heart
What is God teaching here? What does it teach about Jesus?

When Jesus said, "But I tell you," he was not doing away with 
the law or adding his own beliefs. Rather, he was giving a fuller 
understanding of why God made that law in the first place. For example, Moses 
said, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), Jesus taught, "Don't even 
become angry enough to murder, for then you have already committed 
murder in your heart." The Pharisees read this law and, not having 
murdered, felt righteous. Yet they were angry enough with Jesus that they 
would soon plot his murder, though they would not do the dirty work 
themselves. We miss the intent of God's Word when we read his rules for 
living without trying to understand why he made them. When do you keep 
God's rules but close your eyes to his intent? 
Killing is a terrible sin, but anger is a great sin too because 
it also violates God's command to love. Anger in this case refers 
to a seething, brooding bitterness against someone. It is a 
dangerous emotion that always threatens to leap out of control, leading to 
violence, emotional hurt, increased mental stress, and spiritual damage. 
Anger keeps us from developing a spirit pleasing to God. Have you ever 
been proud that you didn't strike out and say what was really on your 
mind? Self-control is good, but Christ wants us to practice 
thought-control as well. Jesus said we will be held accountable even for our 
attitudes. [Life Application SB] 

This is the first of six illustrations Jesus used to explain 
surpassing righteousness. All had heard the Old Testament Law that 
legislated against murder. The act of killing was wrong. 
But Jesus went on to explain that God is not just concerned with 
murder. He noted the anger that flared up and led to murder! The truly 
righteous person is not one who just refrains from murder. He or she is 
one who does not respond to others with anger. 
In this and in the following illustrations Jesus emphasized 
God's concern with the heart. Keeping the law about not murdering 
makes no one righteous. The truly righteous man is the one who does 
not become angry! 
Actually, this kind of perfect righteousness is beyond us all. 
That's why we must become citizens of Jesus' kingdom. Only Christ's 
work in our hearts can transform us into the persons God calls us to 
be. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary] 

Jesus at first seems such a demanding King.
In this portion of His Sermon on the Mount Jesus made it clear 
that He expects citizens of His kingdom to do more than keep laws. He 
expects us to be the kind of people who never even want to break them! 
In a series of illustrations He explained that His citizens 
aren't to get angry, much less strike out at another. We citizens 
aren't to lust, much less commit adultery. We're not to want a divorce, 
to plan to deceive, or even to want revenge when injured (vv. 
21-42). 
But then Jesus topped it off. Citizens of His kingdom are to 
"love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (v. 44). He 
explained that God is the kind of Person who "causes His sun to rise on 
the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the 
unrighteous" (v. 45). And we are to be "sons of your Father in heaven." It's 
really simple. We can sum up everything Jesus asks in a single phrase. 
"Just be like God."
This would be impossible if it weren't for one thing. Jesus 
said, "Sons of your Father in heaven." You see, everyone in Jesus' 
kingdom is also family. 
Through faith in Christ we enter a unique "your Father" 
relationship with God Himself. And God establishes a unique relationship with 
us. In Peter's words, God shares with us "His own indestructible 
heredity" (1 Peter 1:23, PH). Because God has poured His own life into us, 
it's not unreasonable at all to expect us to display a family 
resemblance. 
I remember discovering as a teenager why I had the habit of 
cocking my head to one side when I rode in the car. Sitting in the 
backseat one day, I noticed that my dad held his head the same way, due 
to an old injury. From childhood I had been imitating him, without 
ever realizing it. 
God isn't interested in the way we hold our heads. But He does 
want us to watch Him intently, see how He relates to us and to 
others, and so gradually become more and more like Him within. 
As we live as faithful citizens of Jesus' present kingdom, this 
is just what happens. We find to our amazement that we not only do 
good, we are becoming good! Transformed from within by the power of 
the King, we increasingly resemble our righteous and perfect God. 
[The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]