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:
Matthew 5:21
In this line, Jesus engages with the Second Commandment’s spirit rather than a literalist surface. “Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time” signals reverence for authoritative rabbinic teaching about the commandment against murder. The surface law says murder incurs judgment; Jesus intensifies the ethical demand by focusing on anger and contempt as the seedbed of murder. The cultural context includes a world where honor, family, and reputation mattered greatly; anger could erupt in violent acts or deadly feuds. Jesus exposes the moral logic: what begins as anger, contempt, or dehumanizing language can escalate to physical harm and social ruin. The “judgment” indicates God’s rightful evaluation of motives and actions; the dangerous escalation from inward rage to outward violence reveals how spiritual poverty expresses itself in everyday speech and attitudes.
This verse emphasizes the continuity between interior moral life and external behavior. It asserts that God judges not only deeds but hearts and words. Anger and contempt reveal a heart out of alignment with God’s image-bearing of others. The ethical demand broadens to include the restoration of relationships and the sanctification of speech. It also foreshadows Jesus’ later teaching on reconciliation (Matthew 18) and the pattern of seeking peace rather than festering grievance. The passage anchors the biblical theme that sin includes both acts and attitudes, and that relational harm injures human dignity created in God’s image.
Practically, monitor your inner dialogue and outward speech. If you find yourself muttering angry judgments about others—co-workers, family, or neighbors—pause. Ask: Is my anger rooted in truth and love, or is it contempt that dehumanizes? Replace “you fool” moments with constructive words or, when needed, sober, honest confrontation aimed at restoration, not humiliation. Be mindful of “Raca” moments—demeaning terms that undermine relationships. Seek quick reconciliation rather than prolonged grudges. In practice: apologize when you’ve spoken harshly; forgive when wronged; when facing conflict, choose mercy and honest dialogue over sarcasm or power plays. Let your language reflect a heart transformed by the gospel—one that values others’ dignity even in disagreement.
Cross-References: Proverbs 15:1; James 1:19-20; Ephesians 4:26-29; Matthew 18:15-17; Luke 6:27-28