21 Ye have heard that it was said of 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.

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Murder(A)

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a](B) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(C) with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.(D) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court.(E) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(F)

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.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
  2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt

Anger

21 (A)“You have heard that it was said to those of old, (B)‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable (C)to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that (D)everyone who is angry with his brother[a] will be liable (E)to judgment; whoever insults[b] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to (F)the hell[c] of fire. 23 (G)So if (H)you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts insert without cause
  2. Matthew 5:22 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)
  3. Matthew 5:22 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30

Murder Begins in the Heart

21 “You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder,[a](A) and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.(B) 22 But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister[b] will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults[c] his brother or sister will be subject to the court.[d] Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire.[e](C) 23 So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you 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 with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.

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Footnotes

  1. 5:21 Ex 20:13; Dt 5:17
  2. 5:22 Other mss add without a cause
  3. 5:22 Lit Whoever says ‘Raca’; an Aramaic term of abuse that puts someone down, insulting one’s intelligence
  4. 5:22 Lit Sanhedrin
  5. 5:22 Lit the gehenna of fire

Personal Relationships

21 (A)You have heard that [a]the ancients were told, ‘(B)You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever commits murder shall be [b]liable to (C)the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be [c]guilty before (D)the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘[d]You good-for-nothing,’ shall be [e]guilty before [f](E)the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be [g]guilty enough to go into the [h](F)fiery hell. 23 Therefore if you are (G)presenting your [i]offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your [j]offering there before the altar and go; first be (H)reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your [k]offering.

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Footnotes

  1. Matthew 5:21 Lit it was said to the ancients
  2. Matthew 5:21 Or guilty before
  3. Matthew 5:22 Or liable to
  4. Matthew 5:22 Or empty-head; Gr Raka (Raca) fr Aram reqa
  5. Matthew 5:22 Or liable to
  6. Matthew 5:22 Lit the Sanhedrin
  7. Matthew 5:22 Or liable to
  8. Matthew 5:22 Lit Gehenna of fire
  9. Matthew 5:23 Or gift
  10. Matthew 5:24 Or gift
  11. Matthew 5:24 Or gift