Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:22

What does Matthew 5:22 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:22 means

Jesus dramatically elevates the standard of the commandment against murder, stating that even inner anger towards a brother puts one in danger of judgment. He then escalates the consequences for verbal abuse: calling someone "Raca" (an expression of contempt or empty-headedness) brings danger of the council (a higher court), and calling someone "Thou fool" (implying moral worthlessness) places one in danger of hell fire. This reveals God's concern for the heart's intentions and words, not just external actions.

Matthew 5:22 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of being judged; and he who says to his brother, Raca, will be in danger from the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, You foolish one, will be in danger of the hell of fire.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

but I--I say to you, that every one who is angry at his brother without cause, shall be in danger of the judgment, and whoever may say to his brother, Empty fellow! shall be in danger of the sanhedrim, and whoever may say, Rebel! shall be in danger of the gehenna of the fire.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of the judgment. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But I say unto you, that every one that is lightly angry with his brother shall be subject to the judgment; but whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be subject to [be called before] the sanhedrim; but whosoever shall say, Fool, shall be subject to the penalty of the hell of fire.

Context

This verse provides Jesus' profound reinterpretation of the command against murder introduced in verse 21. It moves the focus from the act to the underlying anger and contempt in the heart, laying the groundwork for the importance of reconciliation and preventing such anger, which is explored in the next few verses.

v.21Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

v.22This passage

v.23If therefore thou art offering thy gift at the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 17:18

    And certain also of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What would this babbler say? others, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached Jesus and the resurrection.

  • Matthew 3:17

    and lo, a voice out of the heavens, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

  • John 7:20

    The multitude answered, Thou hast a demon: who seeketh to kill thee?

  • 1 Corinthians 6:6

    but brother goeth to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?

  • Hebrews 12:25

    See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not when they refused him that warned them on earth, much more shall not we escape who turn away from him that warneth from heaven:

  • Acts 7:37

    This is that Moses, who said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:22

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:22 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:22 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:22 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:22 teaches us about light and salt

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