Matthew 5:21 - 26

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. 23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.

Jesus lived on earth under the law of Moses. He discusses the law concerning murder in how it was regulated for those living under that law.

However he is the Son of God, and the one who will be the king on the throne when the new law is in effect. So he begins introducing man to the difference of spiritual life under the spiritual law.

The word “judgment” in verse 21 refers to a court of law in ancient Israel which consisted of seven judges. It does not refer to the judgment of God in the day of judgment. When someone was accused of murder they were bound to be tried for murder in front of the court.

In verse 22 Jesus begins teaching about the standards of which he will establish under the new law.

Being angry with a brother without cause will endanger one of being brought forth to the same court of law as one who murdered his brother did under the old law. So we can see that the sin of unjustified anger is equal to the sin of murder.

He then discusses the sin of calling a brother “Raca” or empty-headed or senseless. This sin would be equal of bringing someone before the council or the Sanhedrin. This was the council which tried Jesus before turning him over to the Romans and demanding his crucifiction.

Still more serious of a sin was calling a person the name of “fool” which would but someone in danger of being cast into the lake of fire. The word “fool” in this case means a wicked rebel against the Lord.

We need to understand these sins are all evil actions which are taken when they are without cause. These are accusing a brother falsely.

In verse 23 Christ begins with the word “therefore” because the last subject was the sin of having a wrong attitude towards a brother. When this occurred under the law of Moses the Jews were encouraged to bring voluntary gifts to be consecrated to the Lord on the altar of sacrifices. These sacrifices were supposed to indicate the sinner was very much devoted to the Lord.

At this time the sinner may recall his brother had a complaint against him such as calling him a “fool or wicked rebel against the Lord.”

He is told to make things right with his brother before making things right with God, the ritualistic service with God is not to be treated as a substitute for making things right with your brother.

Verse 25 is a slight change of subject, it is concerning a dispute with a fellow citizen regarding a debt. Today a good attorney might advise a client to “settle the case out of court” if possible. This is the main thing Jesus is advising to his disciples. “While you are on the way” indicates they are not yet in the presence of the judge. A person would be better off to suffer some loss than possibly end up in prison if unable to pay all of the amount required by the court. This was the situation of debts under the old law.

If one does not settle out of court, then they are required to totally fulfill the judgment handed down by the court. It is better to settle before being forced by the court to fulfill the judgment.