Anger

21 (A)“You have heard that it was said to those of old, (B)‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable (C)to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that (D)everyone who is angry with his brother[a] will be liable (E)to judgment; whoever insults[b] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to (F)the hell[c] of fire.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts insert without cause
  2. Matthew 5:22 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)
  3. Matthew 5:22 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30

Righteousness is the reason Jesus has come—to make the people righteous through and through. He then begins to interpret the law of Scripture for them with this in mind.

21 As you know, long ago God instructed Moses to tell His people, “Do not murder;[a] those who murder will be judged and punished.” 22 But here is the even harder truth: anyone who is angry with his brother will be judged for his anger. Anyone who taunts his friend, speaks contemptuously toward him, or calls him “Loser” or “Fool” or “Scum,” will have to answer to the high court. And anyone who calls his brother a fool may find himself in the fires of hell.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:21 Exodus 20:13

Jesus Teaches About Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to our people long ago, ‘You must not murder anyone.[a] Anyone who murders another will be judged.’ 22 But I tell you, if you are angry with a brother or sister,[b] you will be judged. If you say bad things to a brother or sister, you will be judged by the council. And if you call someone a fool, you will be in danger of the fire of hell.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:21 You . . . anyone.’ Quotation from Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17.
  2. 5:22 sister Some Greek copies continue, “without a reason.”

Teaching about Anger

21 “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’[a] 22 But I say, if you are even angry with someone,[b] you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot,[c] you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone,[d] you are in danger of the fires of hell.[e]

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Footnotes

  1. 5:21 Exod 20:13; Deut 5:17.
  2. 5:22a Some manuscripts add without cause.
  3. 5:22b Greek uses an Aramaic term of contempt: If you say to your brother, ‘Raca.’
  4. 5:22c Greek if you say, ‘You fool.’
  5. 5:22d Greek Gehenna; also in 5:29, 30.