DO NOT MURDER

Passage: Matthew 5:21-26

Key verse: 22a

NIV

Murder(A)

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a](B) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry(C) with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment.(D) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court.(E) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.(F)

23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
  2. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
  3. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
  4. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Anger

21 (A)“You have heard that it was said to those of old, (B)‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable (C)to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that (D)everyone who is angry with his brother[a] will be liable (E)to judgment; whoever insults[b] his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to (F)the hell[c] of fire. 23 (G)So if (H)you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. 25 (I)Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, (J)you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.[d]

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts insert without cause
  2. Matthew 5:22 Greek says Raca to (a term of abuse)
  3. Matthew 5:22 Greek Gehenna; also verses 29, 30
  4. Matthew 5:26 Greek kodrantes, Roman copper coin (Latin quadrans) worth about 1/64 of a denarius (which was a day's wage for a laborer)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Do not murder (21-22)

Human life is precious because man is created in God's image. Giving and taking life is something that only God has the right to do, for life belongs to him. Here, Jesus teaches that 'Do not murder' touches the thoughts of our hearts. It means that we must not hate others or hold grudges. To give way to anger is like murder. And if we let our anger erupt in harsh and insulting words, we are in danger of going to hell.

2. Be reconciled (23-26)

Not only am I responsible for my own feelings toward my brother, but I am responsible also for his feelings toward me. If, while I am offering a gift to God, I remember that my brother has something against me, I must first go and do all I can to be reconciled with him. Even in worldly relationships, it is wise to be reconciled with anyone who is an adversary. How much more important it is to be reconciled to God!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus whose shed blood reconciles me to you. Cleanse anger and self-pity from my heart and give me faith to be reconciled to all others.

One Word: First be reconciled