21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 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.(Matthew 5:21-26)
The Old Testament says that you should not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. Here the Lord Jesus said that those who are angry with their brothers will be judged, here we see that the standards of the New Testament are higher than those of the Old Testament. The Lord Jesus continued: “anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court”. What does Raca mean?” Raja is an Aramaic word meaning useless. The Lord Jesus went on to say: Anyone who calls his brother ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. The Lord Jesus continued: “if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them;” What the Lord Jesus is talking about here is to be quick to reconcile with your brother who has something against you. What he said later is the same thing, that is, to be quick to reconcile with your opponent.
May God bless you and your family. 🙏😊
