21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. (Matthew 5:21-26 NIV)
Anger and murder
Previously, Christ affirms the authority of the Old Testament, assuring all that he did not come to abolish the law and the prophets. Then he proceeded to clarify the law in specific instances. He corrected the false interpretations given by the scribes and Pharisees. He did not add anything new but limited certain permissions that had been misused. He also shed light on the depth, strictness, and spiritual nature of the law to make it clearer and guide believers toward more perfect obedience. In these verses, he explained the sixth commandment according to its full intent.
The command itself is stated in Matthew 5:12: “Thou shalt not kill.” This was a well-known law, as Moses had been read to them in the synagogues every Sabbath. God’s laws are not new or temporary but were given long ago and remain eternally valid. Killing is forbidden in all forms—whether self-harm, direct murder, or indirect involvement in another’s death. The God of life established this law as a hedge of protection around human life.
The Jewish teachers interpreted this commandment narrowly, teaching that only those who committed physical murder were guilty and subject to judgment. Their error was in assuming that the law only forbade external acts and did not address the inner desires that lead to violence. This misunderstanding led them to focus only on visible offenses rather than the sinful thoughts behind them. Another mistake was their belief that the law applied only to their nation as a civil code, rather than as a universal moral standard.
Christ corrected these false teachings, emphasizing that the sixth commandment extends beyond physical murder to include anger and harmful speech. Rash anger is heart-murder (Matthew 5:22). Being unjustly angry with a brother is a violation of this law. “Brother” here refers to any person, regardless of status, since all people are made of one blood. Anger is natural and can be righteous, but it becomes sinful when it is without cause, when it seeks no good outcome, or when it is excessive and leads to harm. Cain’s murder of Abel began with anger, and in God’s eyes, harboring hatred is already a form of murder (Matthew 15:19).
Christ also warned that harmful speech is a form of murder. Calling someone “Raca” or “fool” with malice is condemned. While mild rebukes to correct folly are not sinful, words spoken in anger and contempt reveal a heart filled with hatred. Scornful words like “Raca” arise from pride, while malicious insults like “fool” stem from deep-seated hatred. Such words wound a person’s dignity and are a violation of the commandment.
Jesus made it clear that these sins would not go unpunished. Those who harbor anger are guilty before God, and those who use harmful words are in danger of severe judgment. Some scholars suggest that Mt 5:22 refers to Jewish legal penalties—ranging from beheading by the judgment of the local courts to stoning by the Sanhedrin, and finally to burning in the Valley of Hinnom, a place that symbolized hell. This progression illustrates that rash anger and contemptuous speech are sins that deserve divine judgment, with varying degrees of severity.
Christ taught that we must actively seek peace and reconciliation with others. If a conflict arises, we must confess our faults, seek forgiveness, and make restitution. This should be done quickly for two reasons.
First, until reconciliation happens, we are unfit for communion with God (Matthew 5:23-24). If someone has a grievance against us—whether real or perceived—we must make peace before approaching God in worship. Religious exercises are unacceptable if performed with malice in the heart. God values love and reconciliation more than sacrifices and offerings. If we delay reconciliation, we risk being tempted to neglect it entirely. Some avoid church or communion because of conflicts, but one sin does not excuse another. Instead of neglecting worship, we should seek to forgive and be forgiven.
Second, unresolved conflicts put us in danger (Matthew 5:25-26). If we have wronged someone, we should settle the matter quickly before it escalates. Legal action can bring financial ruin, and stubbornness can lead to unnecessary suffering. It is wiser to make amends than to insist on one’s own way and risk greater loss. A humble apology can often prevent a costly legal battle.
Spiritually, unresolved sin leaves us exposed to divine judgment. Christ, as Judge, will deliver unrepentant sinners to eternal punishment. Hell is the ultimate prison for those who live and die in malice. There is no escape from it, for divine justice will never be fully satisfied.
This passage also applies to our reconciliation with God through Christ. God stands as an adversary to sinners, and we must seek peace with Him (Job 22:21; 2 Corinthians 5:20). It is urgent to do this while we are still alive, for after death, it will be too late. Those who remain enemies of God will face His justice, with Christ as their Judge. Angels will carry out His judgment, and hell will be their eternal prison. Damned sinners will remain there forever, unable to pay the debt of their sins. Divine justice will always demand satisfaction, but they will never be able to meet its demands.