Matthew 5:22 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus traces murder back to its root, warning that unjust anger and contempt face judgment.
What Does Matthew 5:22 Mean?
Jesus presses the command against killing inward to its source. Murder begins in the heart -- in nursed anger and in words of contempt like 'Raca' (an insult of worthlessness) and 'thou fool.' Each escalation, he says, brings one under graver judgment.
The teaching exposes how seriously God regards the way we treat one another. Contempt and rage, though they shed no blood, violate the spirit of the commandment and corrode the soul. Jesus calls us to guard the heart, to root out hatred before it hardens. To honor God's law is to honor the dignity of every person made in his image, even in our anger.
Matthew 5:22 in the Original Language
raka (ῥακά), 'Raca' -- an Aramaic term of contempt, roughly 'empty-headed' or 'worthless.'
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 5:22
What does Matthew 5:22 mean?
Jesus traces murder back to its root, warning that unjust anger and contempt face judgment.