Murder Begins in the Heart

21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors,[a] Do not murder,(A)[b] and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.(B) 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother[c] will be subject to judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Fool!’[d] will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But whoever says, ‘You moron!’ will be subject to hellfire.[e](C) 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, the judge to[f] the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.(D) 26 I assure you: You will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny![g]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Lit to the ancients
  2. Matthew 5:21 Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17
  3. Matthew 5:22 Other mss add without a cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 Lit Raca, an Aram term of abuse similar to “airhead”
  5. Matthew 5:22 Lit the gehenna of fire
  6. Matthew 5:25 Other mss read judge will hand you over to
  7. Matthew 5:26 Lit quadrans, the smallest and least valuable Roman coin, worth 1⁄64 of a daily wage

Bible Gateway Recommends