Matthew 5:22

But. say unto you.

Jehovah had spoken the decalogue to Israel, but Christ assumes the right to amend it. Such. claim is based only on that of divinity. He speaks as the "brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of his person." He does not abolish the law, but he amends it, and gives it. deeper meaning.

Whosoever is angry with his brother.

Jesus goes back of the murderous act, and forbids the anger and the reproachful words that precede it and are likely to lead to it. He not only condemns the overt act of murder, but the feelings that would lead to it. "Brother" is used in. wider sense than natural relationship. He places the spirit of murder on the same level as murder and declares that such an one shall be in danger of the judgment.

Shall say to his brother, Raca.

This is. word of contempt, and means either, "empty head," or "spit out," i. e., heretic. Christ not only forbids anger, but angry words.

Shall be in danger of the council.

The Sanhedrim, the highest council of Israel. The "judgment" or lower court could inflict stoning and spiritual penalties. The Lord uses these terms to give an idea of the degrees of sinfulness, because they would be understood by his bearers.

Thou fool.

The Greek implies. stupid, impious fool.

Hell-fire.

The Revision gives "the hell of fire." The Greek is "the Gehenna of fire." The term Gehenna arose from the valley or gorge of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where the Canaanites burned human sacrifices to Moloch. After the return of the Jews from the Captivity they made it. place of defilement where the refuse of the city was thrown. The name was applied to the place of future punishment by the Jews. The word is often used in the New Testament (Matthew 23:33; Matthew 5:29; Matthew 10:28; Matthew 18:9; Mark 9:43), and always denotes. place of future punishment. It is clear from this passage that there are different degrees of guilt, and that even the germ of sin in the heart condemns before God. The sin is not in the word or act as such, but in the motive and spirit.-- Schaff.