Matthew 5:21-22 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Personal Relationships

21 “You have heard that [a]the ancients were told, ‘You shall not commit murder’ and ‘Whoever
commits murder shall be [b]liable to the court.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with
his brother shall be [c]guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘[d]You good-for-
nothing,’ shall be [e]guilty before [f]the supreme court; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be [g]guilty
enough to go into the [h]fiery hell.

Anger and Insults (5:21-22)

As humans we are always inclined to lower the moral and spiritual level of the law. We try to make the
law attainable by lowering it to a level that we think we can achieve. So Jesus is going to move the bar
back to where it was originally set by God when the law was given. As we read this paragraph we see
that the teachers of the law had lowered the standard to not doing something against another person
that brought a civil penalty. So do not murder or commit any other high crimes that would bring you
before the court and you have kept God’s law.

Jesus says that if you have anger against your brother you are just as liable to judgment before God as
the one who murders. Please think about the weight of what Jesus just said. Kingdom citizens are not
those who merely keep from murdering someone. Kingdom citizens are not those who merely keep
from assaulting another. Jesus says that God’s law is much harder than that. Kept at this level we would
give each other a high five, look around the room, and see that we have not killed anyone this week. We
must be God’s people! Jesus says if you are angry with your brother you are liable to the judgment.

Jesus goes further and talks about the fruit of anger in verse 22. If you verbally insult your brother, you
are just as liable before God. If you say, “You fool” you are also liable for God’s judgment. We lower the
law and say that we cannot physically harm another. Jesus restores God’s law and says you cannot be
angry with your brother and you cannot insult them. Jesus’ concern is clearly about how we respond
when someone does something to us. Not murdering the other person is not the goal. Our goal is to not
be angry and lash out in our words against someone. We are not allowed by God to have a selfish or
malicious response. Anger desires to harm the other person and words are often the vehicle for that
harm. Jesus teaches us that our anger is what puts us in danger of the hell of fire. James made the same
point.

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for
the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19–20 ESV)
……But if you ask a Christain……………………Anger keeps us out of God’s kingdom because anger is always
a selfish concern. My rights have been violated. My feelings have been hurt. My sense of justice was
violated. We want to often pretend that we have righteous indignation. But our anger is not in defense
of God and his holiness. Our anger is a defense of ourselves, our rights, and our desires. This is not a new
command that Jesus is giving but was always part of God’s law.

You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you
incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own
people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. (Leviticus 19:17–18 ESV)

Listen to what the law said. Do not hate your brother. Do not take vengeance. Do not bear a grudge.
Love your neighbor as yourself. Murder is not the threshold of sin and it never was. Hate was the
threshold. Anger was the threshold. Listen to what the apostle John says.

Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in
him. (1 John 3:15 ESV)

Is this a New Testament law alone? No, because three verses earlier he uses the example of Cain. He
hated his brother and that is why he murdered Abel. God takes very seriously the heart of contempt for
another person. Anger is not acceptable among us. God does not look only out the outward actions. God
is looking at the heart. He knows if we have hatred, malice, and anger for another. We are liable for
judgment when this is in our hearts.

But Jesus’ anger was far different from ours, and so is God’s. Jesus clearly displayed anger during His
earthly life. The primary example is His response to those who were making a profit by exchanging
money and selling animals at the temple (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; John 2:13-22).

On another occasion, Jesus asked the religious leaders if it was okay to heal a person on the Sabbath
day. When they would not answer, we are told, "he looked around at them with anger" (Mark 3:5)
before healing a man. His anger centered on the attitudes of religious teachers who claimed to know the
Law yet cared more about themselves than whether a person was healed.
So yes, Jesus was angry at times, yet did not sin (Hebrews 4:15). Likewise, believers in Christ are taught,
"Be angry and do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26). While anger is often viewed as a completely negative
emotion, there are times a person can be angry for appropriate reasons. In the case of Jesus, His anger
was the result of ungodly attitudes and actions by those around Him. In addition, God the Father often
displayed anger in the Old Testament when people sinned against Him and when injustices took place in
the world. Still today, when Christians see sinful actions taking place, especially by those who claim to be
religious leaders, it should cause anger. Why? Because such anger reflects the attitude of Christ in these
situations (Philippians 2:5).

Anger that reflects the anger of Christ requires two aspects. First, it must be properly motivated. In
other words, anger because you do not get your way in a situation does not count. Religious hypocrisy
or injustices of poverty or oppression are proper, godly reasons to become angry.

The second aspect required for our anger to reflect Christ's anger is to act appropriately when we are
angry. Jesus healed a man even when He was angry, revealing that we are called to do good even when
we are upset. In addition, the passages referring to Jesus turning over tables in the temple showed His
anger properly expressed to remove people who were breaking God's Law by making a profit from the
system of animal offerings rather than focusing on worship of the Lord. We get angry when someone
offends us or keeps us from doing something we want to do. We also get angry when we want
something for ourselves, but we don’t get it. In other words, our anger is centered only on ourselves and
our desires—and when we don’t get what we want, we get upset.

But Jesus’ anger wasn’t like this. He was angry because the merchants were treating God’s House with
contempt. He also was angry because they were cheating and treating people unjustly. And when God
gets angry at sin, it’s because He knows the terrible damage it does to us, whom He loves. Instead of a
selfish anger, His is a righteous anger.

Why do we allow anger to remain in our hearts? I think the primary reason is that we enjoy the feeling
of anger and the supposed advantage we now think we have over another person. I am angry so now I
can manipulate the other person to bend to my will because they have wronged me. What a grievous
sin! We are being evil, malicious, and devious when we choose anger because we are going to use it for
our own selfish advantage. We want to control the situation. We want to control the relationship. This is
sin!

Now what did Jesus just do? If I said how many of you have not murdered, I think we would all raise our
hands. So, then we would pat ourselves on the back and think that we have done well. But Jesus says
that you have anger for another, hate another, or say malicious, insulting words to another you are
liable to the hell of fire. Now if I ask you to raise your hand if you have never had anger for another,
never had hatred, or never said an insulting word to another, no one’s hands would be raised. We are all
guilty! This is where Jesus wants us. Jesus wants us to see our sin and admit our failures. He does not
want us to try to justify ourselves or excuse ourselves. What was the first characteristic of those who are
in the kingdom of God as given in the Beatitudes? Blessed are the poor in spirit. Jesus wants you to see
your sin, admit your failure, quickly go correct your error with your brother or sister, and then come to
God for forgiveness and worship our Lord who saves us from our sins. Anger quickly turns to sin.
Reconcile quickly and do not justify yourself. See your moral failure and beg your Lord and Savior for
mercy

Answer: When Jesus cleared the temple of the moneychangers and animal-sellers, He showed great
emotion and anger (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-18; John 2:13-22). Jesus’ emotion was described as
“zeal” for God’s house (John 2:17). His anger was pure and completely justified because at its root was
concern for God’s holiness and worship. Because these were at stake, Jesus took quick and decisive
action. Another time Jesus showed anger was in the synagogue of Capernaum. When the Pharisees
refused to answer Jesus’ questions, “He looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their
stubborn hearts” (Mark 3:5).

Many times, we think of anger as a selfish, destructive emotion that we should eradicate from our lives
altogether. However, the fact that Jesus did sometimes become angry indicates that anger itself, as an
emotion, is amoral. This is borne out elsewhere in the New Testament. Ephesians 4:26 instructs us “in
your anger do not sin” and not to let the sun go down on our anger. The command is not to “avoid
anger” (or suppress it or ignore it) but to deal with it properly, in a timely manner. We note the
following facts about Jesus’ displays of anger:

1) His anger had the proper motivation. In other words, He was angry for the right reasons. Jesus’
anger did not arise from petty arguments or personal slights against Him. There was no selfishness
involved.

2) His anger had the proper focus. He was not angry at God or at the “weaknesses” of others. His
anger targeted sinful behavior and true injustice.

3) His anger had the proper supplement. Mark 3:5 says that His anger was attended by grief over the
Pharisees’ lack of faith. Jesus’ anger stemmed from love for the Pharisees and concern for their
spiritual condition. It had nothing to do with hatred or ill will.
4) His anger had the proper control. Jesus was never out of control, even in His wrath. The temple
leaders did not like His cleansing of the temple (Luke 19:47), but He had done nothing sinful. He
controlled His emotions; His emotions did not control Him. Unlike James and John Luke 9 51-56

51 When the days were approaching for His [ad]ascension, He [ae]was determined to go to Jerusalem;
52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to
[make arrangements for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because [ag]He was traveling toward
Jerusalem. 54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command
fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, [[ah]and said,
“You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s
lives, but to save them.”] And they went on to another village.

5) His anger had the proper duration. He did not allow His anger to turn into bitterness; He did not
hold grudges. He dealt with each situation properly, and He handled anger in good time. “Be angry,
and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” Ephesians 4:26 (NASB)

6) His anger had the proper result. Jesus’ anger had the inevitable consequence of godly action. Jesus’
anger, as with all His emotions, was held in check by the Word of God; thus, Jesus’ response was
always to accomplish God’s will.

When we get angry, too often we have improper control or an improper focus. We fail in one or more
of the above points. This is the wrath of man, of which we are told “Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous
life that God desires” (James 1:19-20). Jesus did not exhibit man’s anger, but the righteous indignation
of God.
We cannot be saved by the creeds or manuals of men.

In Matthew 15:9, Jesus says,

"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for a doctrine the commandments of men."

In Galatians 1:6-9, the inspired writer says,

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. As we said
before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed."

God is against any teaching that is not directly from Him. Thus, we must turn to the Word of God to
determine that which we must do to be saved.

Again, the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16-17,

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness: that the man of may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."

So then, we must look to the Word of God to learn the way of our salvation, if we are to have hope of
reaching Heaven.

First, we must HEAR the word of God. In John 5:24-25, Jesus says,

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth him that sent me hath eternal life, and
cometh not into judgement, but hath passed out of death into life."

Obviously, hearing His word is very important to our salvation.

Second, we learn that hearing produces FAITH.

Romans 10:17 says,

"Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."

We cannot have faith if we do not know what the word of God has to say. Many believe they have faith, and
that it is independent of what the Bible actually says. But according to the Bible, men and women can only
attain faith through hearing the word of God.

Third, we must REPENT.

In Luke 13:3, Jesus says,

"Unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

In Acts 2, Peter preaches the first gospel sermon, in which he explains to everyone who Jesus is and the
horrific crime they had committed in putting Him to death. We can pick up the story in verse 37;

"Now when the heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the Apostles
'men and brethren what shall we do?' Then Peter said unto them, Repent..."

We will get to the rest of the story in a moment, but certainly this appears to be a requirement for those who
desire to become disciples of Jesus Christ.

Again, in Acts 3:19 Peter says

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall
come from the presence of the Lord;"

So, if repentance is a requirement, what does it mean and what must we do to meet this requirement? To
repent is to change our mind and make the decision that we will change our life to begin serving the Lord as
He desires us to serve Him. This is brought about by understanding what God has done for us, and realizing
that we are not right with Him in our current condition and that we desire to change so as to please Him. This
means, that an immoral person must become moral and upright in lifestyle. For the religious person who has
tried to live a life pleasing to God, repentance may involve recognizing that we have not done what God
requires of us with regard to salvation and that we must obey the inspired plan in order to be right with Him.
If we are in the denominational world, belonging to a church that has a creed or doctrine other than the Bible
and/or in addition to the Bible, then we must turn away from such a religion and find a congregation of
people that believe in the Bible and only the Bible. (We are certainly happy to help you in any such search.)
Repentance then is produced by Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:10) which leads to a change of heart and a
change of mind, which is the beginning of a changed life... one that is dedicated to God.

Fourth, we must CONFESS our faith in Jesus Christ.

Romans 10:8-10 says,

"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which
we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Then, we must be BAPTIZED...

The person who is a repentant, confessing believer is a person ready to be baptized. To many in the world,
baptism is a controversial issue. As simple as the process is and as often as it is commanded in the New
Testament, many in the religious world just cannot accept it as the Bible teaches it. Let's see what the Bible
says about baptism. Remember Peter's first Gospel ermon in Acts 2? We looked at it earlier in the section on
repentance. Let's take a look at the rest of that passage now.

Acts 2:36-39

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have
crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto
Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar
off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."

This tells us that baptism is necessary for the remission (forgiveness) of sins.

The apostle Paul tells us in Galatians 3:26-27,

"For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ."

So, we are children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. But what does that faith in Jesus lead us to do? When do
we actually put on Christ?
The answer of Galatians 3:27 is simple. The believer has put on Christ when he or she is baptized into Christ.

Look again to the Bible. In Acts 22:16, Ananias is quoted by Paul as saying,

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the
Lord."

So then, baptism washes away sins. But it is not the physical washing of the body that makes the difference.
Rather, it is our willingness to do that which God has commanded us to do. Peter explains this in I Peter 3:20-
21 when he says,

"Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the
ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even
baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"

We come up out of the water to "walk in newness of life."

God then adds us to the church (Acts 2:47). Not by vote or the decisions of men, but God alone adds us to His
Church.

Finally, we must live our lives in faithful and loyal service to our Lord Jesus Christ as God has directed
(Revelations 2:10). We must find a congregation that believes and practices as the New Testament directs...
following the Word of God... speaking where the Bible speaks, living by His Word and His Word alone.
Trusting in God to save us as He has promised those who would be faithful to Him.