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SUBJECT: Matthew 5:21-26 Teaching about Anger
QUESTION: In verse 22, it states that 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. Why is this so? Please explain these
scriptures.
ANSWER:
First the verses:
Matthew 5:21-26
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.
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.
Note: This is
clearly a passage establishing the spiritual elements of
murder. That is, showing that even anger of one toward
another is a spiritual kind of murder. Notice that it does
say “anger without just cause”. Even then, we are not to
let that anger endure.
Ephesians 4:26
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your
wrath:
Notice the commentary:
Matthew 5:22
[Is angry with His brother
without a cause] 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:
1. As a proper expression of our disapprobation of a course
of evil conduct; and
2. That we may defend ourselves when suddenly attacked.
When excited against sin, it is lawful. God is angry with
the wicked, Psalm 7:11. Jesus looked on the hypocritical
Pharisees with anger, Mark 3:5. So it is said, "Be ye angry,
and sin not, Ephesians 4:26. This anger, or indignation
against sin, is not what our Saviour speaks of here. What he
condemns here is anger without a cause; that is, unjustly,
rashly, hastily, where no offence has been given or
intended. In that case it is evil; and it is a violation of
the sixth commandment, because "he that hateth his brother,
is a murderer," 1 John 3:15. He has a feeling which would
lead him to commit murder, if it were fully acted out. The
word "brother" here refers not merely to one to whom we are
nearly related, having the same parent or parents, as the
word is commonly used, but includes also a neighbor, or
perhaps anyone with whom we may be associated. As all people
are descended from one Father and are all the creatures of
the same God, so they are all brethren: and so every man
should be regarded and treated as a brother, Hebrews 11:16.
~from Barnes' Notes
Now commentary regarding the use of the word “Raca” and why
this makes one in danger of the council. What council?
Matthew 5:22
[Raca] This is a Syriac
word, expressive of great contempt. It comes from a verb
signifying to be empty, vain; and hence, as a word of
contempt, denotes senseless, stupid, shallow-brains. Jesus
teaches here that to use such words is a violation of the
spirit of the sixth commandment, and if indulged, may lead
to a more open and dreadful infraction of that law. Children
should learn that to use such words is highly offensive to
God, for we must give an account for every idle word which
we speak in the day of judgment, Matthew 12:36.
[In danger of the council]
The word translated "council" is in the original Sanhedrin,
and there can be no doubt that the Saviour refers to the
Jewish tribunal of that name. This was instituted in the
time of the Maccabees, probably about 200 years before
Christ. It was composed of 72 judges: the high priest was
the president of this tribunal. The 72 members were made up
of the chief priests and elders of the people and the
scribes. The chief priests were such as had discharged the
office of the high priest, and those who were the heads of
the twenty-four classes of priests, who were called in an
honorary way high or chief priests. See Matthew 2:4. The
elders were the princes of the tribes or heads of the family
associations. It is not to be supposed that all the elders
had a right to a seat here, but such only as were elected to
the office. The scribes were learned people of the nation
elected to this tribunal, being neither of the rank of
priests or elders. This tribunal had cognizance of the great
affairs of the nation. Until the time when Judea was
subjected to the Romans, it had the power of life and death.
It still retained the power of passing sentence, though the
Roman magistrate held the right of execution. It usually sat
in Jerusalem, in a room near the temple. It was before this
tribunal that our Saviour was tried. It was then assembled
in the palace of the high priest, Matthew 26:3-57; John
18:24. ~from Barnes' Notes
Now, to finish the thought, Jesus then mentions this element
of calling a person “a fool”. It has a meaning much deeper
that the everyday use we give it today. Notice a
commentary:
Matthew 5:22
[Thou fool] This term
expressed more than want of wisdom. It was expressive of the
highest guilt. It had been commonly used to denote those who
were idolaters (Deuteronomy22:21), and also one who is
guilty of great crimes, Joshua 7:15; Psalm 14:1.
~from Barnes' Notes
Here is another commentary on this:
Matthew 5:21-26
Thou fool. Since this series calls for epithets
progressively more severe, Bruce sees Raca as contempt for a
man's head, and fool as contempt for his character (ExpGT,
I, 107). ~from The Wycliffe
Bible Commentary
And another…
Matthew 5:22
[Thou fool] Moreh,
probably from maarah (OT:4784), to rebel, a rebel against
God, apostate from all good. This term implied, among the
Jews, the highest enormity, and most aggravated guilt. Among
the Gentoos, such an expression was punished by cutting out
the tongue, and thrusting a hot iron, of ten fingers'
breadth, into the mouth of the person who used it. Code of
Gentoo Laws, chap. 15 sec. 2. p. 212.
~from Adam Clarke's Commentary
So we see that calling a person a fool in those days was an
accusation of the highest form of apostasy, rebellion and
guilt. This being so, we can see why Jesus said what He
said. We cannot have this form of hate and contempt for our
brothers and for mankind.
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