“Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment; and anyone who calls them 'Raca' or 'You fool' is in danger of hell.”

​​–Matthew 5:22

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Annotation: Jesus warns that anger, when directed at others with contempt, can lead to serious spiritual consequences.

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Note: This verse teaches that anger, especially when accompanied by insults, is not just harmful to relationships but also spiritually dangerous.

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This verse is part of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, where He teaches about the deeper implications of God's commandments. In this particular passage, Jesus is addressing the commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) and expanding its meaning beyond mere physical violence to include the condition of the heart and the ways in which we relate to others.
 

Breakdown of Matthew 5:22:

1. "Anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment":

   • Jesus begins by connecting anger with judgment. In the Old Testament, murder was prohibited, but Jesus reveals that anger, even when it doesn’t lead to physical harm, is also a serious issue. This is a radical teaching because, while the Law condemned physical violence, Jesus now warns that the inner attitude of anger can bring judgment as well.
      

   • Anger can lead to broken relationships, hate, and the kind of emotional and spiritual destruction that Jesus calls us to avoid. He calls us to deal with our anger in a way that reflects reconciliation and peace, not division or destruction.
      

2. "Anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court":

   • “Raca” was a derogatory term in Aramaic, meaning something like "empty-headed" or "worthless." It was an insult meant to degrade a person’s intelligence or worth.
      

   • Jesus says that calling someone “Raca” goes beyond anger—it expresses contempt and devalues the other person, making the one who speaks this way subject to judgment, even by a human court. This reflects the seriousness with which Jesus views our words and attitudes toward others.
      

3. "Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell":

   • The word "fool" here is not just a casual insult. In Jesus' time, it was a term that carried a moral condemnation, implying that the person is not just ignorant but morally corrupt or wicked. Calling someone "You fool!" is a deeper expression of disdain and judgment, one that goes to the heart of a person’s character.
      

   • Jesus says that those who use this kind of language are in danger of hellfire. This highlights how seriously God views our attitudes toward others, particularly when we express contempt, disdain, or hatred.
      

   • The "fire of hell" refers to the ultimate separation from God (eternal judgment), and Jesus uses this strong language to emphasize the danger of harboring hatred or contempt in our hearts.

 

Key Takeaways:

1. Anger and the Heart:

   • Jesus teaches that anger itself is a matter of the heart and that the root of sin often begins there. The moral integrity of a person is not just about avoiding external actions like murder but also about cultivating a heart that is free from anger, contempt, and hatred toward others.
      

2. Words Matter:

   • The words we speak to others reveal our hearts, and Jesus warns that derogatory and insulting language can have serious consequences. Calling someone derogatory names such as "Raca" or "You fool!" is not just an offense against the person but against God’s command to love our neighbors.
      

3. The Seriousness of Our Relationships:

   • Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciliation. Later in this passage (Matthew 5:23-24), He teaches that if someone has something against you, you should go and be reconciled to them before offering your gift at the altar. This shows that anger and broken relationships are spiritually serious matters that can hinder one’s relationship with God.
      

4. The Danger of Unchecked Anger:

   • Jesus points out that unchecked anger, especially when it leads to insults and contempt, can put someone in spiritual danger. The ultimate consequence of harboring such attitudes is the separation from God, symbolized by the "fire of hell."
      

In Summary:

Matthew 5:22 teaches that anger and contempt are more than just moral failures—they are spiritual issues. Jesus connects emotional and verbal insults, like calling someone "Raca" or "fool," to serious judgment, warning that these attitudes and words can have eternal consequences. His message emphasizes the importance of reconciliation, self-control, and love in relationships, urging His followers to address anger and bitterness in their hearts before it escalates into greater sin.

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Additional Information:

Read the full chapter and find more resources at biblegateway.com (external site)>>

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