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. 25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you’re on the way with him to the court, or your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge to[f] the officer, and you will be thrown into prison.(D) 26 Truly I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid the last penny.[g]

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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
  6. 5:25 Other mss read judge will hand you over to
  7. 5:26 Lit quadrans, the smallest and least valuable Roman coin, worth 1/64 of a daily wage

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.

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.

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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