Matthew 5:22

"“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’"

Key Reflection

In first-century Jewish society, the commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) was a central ethical teaching, deeply rooted in the Mosaic law and reinforced through rabbinic interpretations. When Jesus states that those who merely insult their brother are “in danger of the judgment,” he elevates the severity of sin beyond just physical violence, indicating that even words can be deadly, reflecting his broader message of the need for internal righteousness over external legalism.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Verse 22. But I say unto you. Jesus being God as well as man, (Joh 1:1) and, therefore, being the original Giver of the law, had a right to expound it, or change it as he pleased. Comp. Mt 12:6,8. He therefore spoke here and elsewhere as having authority, and not as the scribes. It may be added here, that no mere man ever spake as Jesus did, when explaining or enforcing the law. He did it as having a right to do it; and he that has a right to ordain and change laws in the government of God must be himself Divine. Is angry without a cause.

Related Verses

More from Matthew 5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49

Go deeper with Bible.talk - your AI Bible study companion