Matthew 5:21 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: 22 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.

I. THE INTERPRETATION AND APPLICATION

 Jesus calling His disciples - higher level of righteousness
 (6) Times – “You have heard that it hath been said, but I say unto thee.”
 Not enough – Letter of the Law
 Spirit of the Law
1 John 3
15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:
and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 Murder - not just an action / also an attitude

A. Traditional Interpretation
Genesis 9
6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed:
for in the image of God made he man.

Leviticus 24
17 And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

B. Christ’s Interpretation
Matthew 5
21 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:
22 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.

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 1. Just vs. Unjust Anger
a) Just Anger without a cause
Ephesians 4
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

(1) Barnes– “Anger, or that feeling which we have when we are

injured, and which prompts us to defend ourselves when in
danger, is a natural feeling, given to us…”

(2) Righteous Indignation – anger over an injustice

Romans 1
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

b) Unjust Anger
(1) Fueled by jealousy, selfishness, or rivalry
(2) Harbor a grudge / bitterness / hatred

2. Christ’s Warning About Unjust Anger

22 But I say unto you,
That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause
shall be in danger of the judgment:

a) “Shall be in danger…”
(1) The Danger of Physical Murder Cain & Abel (Gen 4:8)
(2) The Danger of Bitterness in the Heart
Ephesians 4
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,
be put away from you, with all malice:

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  Bitterness – bitter hatred towards someone
 Wrath – passionate anger that boils within us
 Clamour – openly expressing our anger to others
 Evil speaking – slanderous speech
 Malice – ill will and a desire to injure
Hebrews 12
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

(3) The Danger of Becoming Malicious

22 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.

(a) ‘Raca’ - (you idiot / stupid fool) (Soldiers mocked Jesus)

(b) ‘Fool’
(i) Hebrew - ‘moros’ / English - ‘moron’
(ii) Hebrew – rebel (especially against God)
(iii) Condemning -spend a Godless eternity in hell
(c) “I would never call someone such names.”
(i) “Spiteful and destructive attitude towards others?”
(ii) “Write them off / wish something bad to happen?”

b) “Shall be in danger of judgment”

(1) In the Local Courts of Men
(2) In the Court of God
… but whosoever shall say , Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. (gehenna)

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II. THE CURE
Preacher’s Commentary says – “The disciple is to have the highest regard for his fellow
man, to respect the sanctity of human life and to meet differences by the practice of love.”

A. Look Upon Others the Way God Has Looked Upon You
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

B. Strive to Live At Peace With All Men

Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all
men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath:
for it is written , Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if
thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou
shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil,
but overcome evil with good.

C. Forgive Everyone From the Heart

Matthew 18:35 …from your hearts forgive …every one his brother their trespasses.
D. Seek Reconciliation
Matthew 5:23 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. 25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him;
lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver
thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison. 26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou
shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

CONCLUSION
1 Pet 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins. NIV

There are none who do not need to be forgiven

And none who do not need to forgive