Matthew 5:21-26

Anger and Reconciliation

21 You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ ^[a] and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ¹

22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother ^[b] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ ^[c] will be subject to the Sanhedrin. ^[d] But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell. ^[e]

23 So if 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. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

25 Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he 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. ^[f]

Cross References

• 1. (Luke 12:57–59)

Footnotes

• [a] Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17
• [b] BYZ and TR include without cause.
• [c] Raca is an Aramaic expression of contempt.
• [d] Or the Council
• [e] Or the hell of fire; Greek the Gehenna of fire
• [f] Greek kodrantēn; that is, a Roman copper coin worth about 1/64 of a denarius