Introduction. Six times in the sermon on the Mount, Jesus contrasted what most people in His day had heard and thought was right with what He demanded of His disciples. It is amazing how little has changed, since we are hearing many of the same things today. Yet when He concluded the sermon with: “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does is ... wise... whoever does not do them ... is foolish,” our own attitude toward these words reveals our wisdom or folly in His eyes.
His first contrast was between killing and the thoughts and emotions leading up to it. While many said the punishment was only for the act, Jesus wanted His disciples to look more closely. Jesus affirmed that punishment meted out for murder actually begins and should be meted out to us with the anger that leads to it: “but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.” Even today without Jesus instructions, we have heard the same thing. Only those who kill are punished, so if we never kill anyone, we are not guilty and can avoid punishment. This leaves the door open to be abusive, cruel, derisive or rude. As long as we stop short of taking a life, we are innocent and morally upright.
Yet Jesus revealed that the punishment reserved for murder begins at the moment of anger. The true beginning of murder is the anger that creates it. The door to murder is opened and entered with the anger, not with the act. Since anger is the infancy of murder, and Jesus can read hearts, punishment for murder will actually be meted out to His disciples when we feel this anger
His first contrast was between killing and the thoughts and emotions leading up to it. While many said the punishment was only for the act, Jesus wanted His disciples to look more closely. Jesus affirmed that punishment meted out for murder actually begins and should be meted out to us with the anger that leads to it: “but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment.” Even today without Jesus instructions, we have heard the same thing. Only those who kill are punished, so if we never kill anyone, we are not guilty and can avoid punishment. This leaves the door open to be abusive, cruel, derisive or rude. As long as we stop short of taking a life, we are innocent and morally upright.
Yet Jesus revealed that the punishment reserved for murder begins at the moment of anger. The true beginning of murder is the anger that creates it. The door to murder is opened and entered with the anger, not with the act. Since anger is the infancy of murder, and Jesus can read hearts, punishment for murder will actually be meted out to His disciples when we feel this anger
But Jesus did not condemn all anger. Since anger itself is part of the gift of being created in the image and likeness of God, there is nothing inherently sinful in it. Paul later revealed that anger can be controlled and set aside before it leads to sin: Be angry, and do not sin:” (Eph. 4:26). Since we can be “angry and do not sin” or we can be “angry with a brother and be in danger of the judgment,” it is the scope and direction of the anger that creates the danger. What is the line and tipping point where anger stops being lawful and become sinful?
The answer is in the phrase “with a brother.” Anger at sin, evil, wickedness or error is lawful, but anger directed toward a person is always wrong. While we say “hate the sin but not the sinner,” Jesus says do not be “angry with a brother.” Regardless of the provocation, God wants us to feel mercy, patience, love, and forbearance toward the sinner (“put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another” — Col. 3:12-13). While we under the influence of “tender mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with and forgiving one another,” anger is kept within its proper boundary. When it leaps these “fences,” it becomes a violation of God’s law. When we become “angry with a brother,” and/or hatred/desire for vengeance fills our heart (even for an instant), we become guilty of murder. “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1Jn. 3:15).
Anger directed at a brother is always destructive and never produces any good. Anger is sinless only when it still leads to seek our neighbor’s good. The moment it creates frustration or bitterness leading to exasperation, insults or even a momentary hatred, it becomes murder. When the anger starts to move the emotions and the mind, it has progressed to the next step. First we feel anger, then we move to words of contempt, derision and hatred.
We need to carefully think and be honest with ourselves about this! When we become frustrated with the actions of another person, the first step is anger, leading us to disrespect and/or wish them harm. When this change in circumstances leads to a change in the status of our respect for a brother, it proves we have crossed the line into sin. This is why Jesus gives the next step in the progression to murder as words of contempt. Only anger makes such words possible. Jesus chose the words of contempt and derision available in the Greek language, which in His day were “raka” and “moros”:
These are terms of derision used when others either inconvenience or irritate us in some way. When we feel a sense of contempt that leads to these words either entering our minds or coming out of our mouth, we have crossed the line into sin. While we don’t use “raka” or “moros” today, we have created many words to replace them. Since “moros” has come into English with “moron,” a book of synonyms lists these as synonyms for “Moron: Stupid! Jerk! Blockhead! Dunce! Knucklehead! Idiot! Fool! Bonehead! Imbecile! Ignoramus! Simpleton! Dolt! Dullard! Oaf!”
Many today utter these words with the same contempt, derision and disgust as those Jesus chose. Honest disciples admit that in using such terms they are judging someone’s mind and character. They are manifesting derision, disrespect and contempt. When such words come out in anger, we are guilty of the first steps toward murder. Jesus’ disciples are forbidden to hold others in such contempt or to ridicule them. These are not good words. They soil the mouths of those who use them. Such scorn, sarcasm or disdain violates the intent and purpose of God’s Law. These are words of cursing and thus corrupt.
Conclusion. Even today people affirm such words are acceptable, yet Jesus “says” they are not! He has high expectations that the love that God has given to us, and which He came to reveal will become a part of our own hearts. God wants us to love our fellow man as ourselves. Such a love will keep us from the vile and ungodly things anger promotes. The real intent of “you shall not kill” is immediate reconciliation and forgiveness.
So we have to seriously consider the progression: “every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; whosoever says to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever says, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.”
Jesus placed anger where they placed murder. He then progressed to name calling, revealing that such words led to the “council” (supreme court) or even to the hell of fire. He never gets to murder, which of course is worse than all the rest.
The answer is in the phrase “with a brother.” Anger at sin, evil, wickedness or error is lawful, but anger directed toward a person is always wrong. While we say “hate the sin but not the sinner,” Jesus says do not be “angry with a brother.” Regardless of the provocation, God wants us to feel mercy, patience, love, and forbearance toward the sinner (“put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another” — Col. 3:12-13). While we under the influence of “tender mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with and forgiving one another,” anger is kept within its proper boundary. When it leaps these “fences,” it becomes a violation of God’s law. When we become “angry with a brother,” and/or hatred/desire for vengeance fills our heart (even for an instant), we become guilty of murder. “Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” (1Jn. 3:15).
Anger directed at a brother is always destructive and never produces any good. Anger is sinless only when it still leads to seek our neighbor’s good. The moment it creates frustration or bitterness leading to exasperation, insults or even a momentary hatred, it becomes murder. When the anger starts to move the emotions and the mind, it has progressed to the next step. First we feel anger, then we move to words of contempt, derision and hatred.
We need to carefully think and be honest with ourselves about this! When we become frustrated with the actions of another person, the first step is anger, leading us to disrespect and/or wish them harm. When this change in circumstances leads to a change in the status of our respect for a brother, it proves we have crossed the line into sin. This is why Jesus gives the next step in the progression to murder as words of contempt. Only anger makes such words possible. Jesus chose the words of contempt and derision available in the Greek language, which in His day were “raka” and “moros”:
- “raka...empty, i.e. a senseless, empty-headed man, a term of reproach used in the time of Christ...” “raka ... is a transcription of the Aramaic insult ... raqa as a call to servants: “Hi there, you idiot!” ... It expresses vexed disparagement which may be accompanied by displeasure, anger, or contempt, and which is usually addressed to a foolish, thoughtless, or presumptuous person.”
- “moros... denotes dull, sluggish (from a root much, to be silly); hence, stupid, foolish... morally worthless, a scoundrel... more serious... than “raka”; the latter scorns a... mind and calls him stupid; moros scorns his heart and character;...: (Vine Vol. 2 p 114)
These are terms of derision used when others either inconvenience or irritate us in some way. When we feel a sense of contempt that leads to these words either entering our minds or coming out of our mouth, we have crossed the line into sin. While we don’t use “raka” or “moros” today, we have created many words to replace them. Since “moros” has come into English with “moron,” a book of synonyms lists these as synonyms for “Moron: Stupid! Jerk! Blockhead! Dunce! Knucklehead! Idiot! Fool! Bonehead! Imbecile! Ignoramus! Simpleton! Dolt! Dullard! Oaf!”
Many today utter these words with the same contempt, derision and disgust as those Jesus chose. Honest disciples admit that in using such terms they are judging someone’s mind and character. They are manifesting derision, disrespect and contempt. When such words come out in anger, we are guilty of the first steps toward murder. Jesus’ disciples are forbidden to hold others in such contempt or to ridicule them. These are not good words. They soil the mouths of those who use them. Such scorn, sarcasm or disdain violates the intent and purpose of God’s Law. These are words of cursing and thus corrupt.
- “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:8) “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Eph. 4:29).
Conclusion. Even today people affirm such words are acceptable, yet Jesus “says” they are not! He has high expectations that the love that God has given to us, and which He came to reveal will become a part of our own hearts. God wants us to love our fellow man as ourselves. Such a love will keep us from the vile and ungodly things anger promotes. The real intent of “you shall not kill” is immediate reconciliation and forgiveness.
So we have to seriously consider the progression: “every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; whosoever says to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever says, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.”
Jesus placed anger where they placed murder. He then progressed to name calling, revealing that such words led to the “council” (supreme court) or even to the hell of fire. He never gets to murder, which of course is worse than all the rest.