ANGER WITHOUT CAUSE

Matthew 5:21-22 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: but I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time," is a phrase used by Jesus to begin a New Testament truth that expands, and explains Old Testament commandments. He uses it, not only here, but also, in this chapter of His "Sermon on the Mount" to begin His teaching on adultery (Vs. 27), on foreswearing (Vs. 33), on retaliation for injury (Vs. 38), and on love and hate (Vs. 43). In each Old Testament teaching, the Jewish people, as influenced by the misinterpretation of the Law of Moses by the scribes and Pharisees, had been led astray and misapplied God's law.

In order to illustrate the unrighteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, as noted above in verses 17 through 20, Jesus gave the multitude on the mount an example of how the traditions of the Jewish leaders had altered the righteousness that God required of His people. Although it is necessary, the following commandment of God is not all sufficient: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deut. 6:5). Reading Leviticus 19:13-18, we find a number of commandments telling all people of the Jewish nation how they are to care for their fellow man. It is summed up in this commandment: thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Jesus quotes both of these commandments of God. He says, to love God is the first and great commandment, ...and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matt. 22:37-40).

To demonstrate His teaching, Jesus quotes one of the "Ten Commandments" among the six that were given regarding the love God requires of one toward others. Citing Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17, Jesus says, Thou shalt not kill. By divine authority, Jesus expands and explains the true meaning of this commandment. It is not sufficient to refrain from taking the life of one's fellow man, but it is just as sinful to be angry with his brother without a cause. The teaching applies to both men and women; the words "her" and "sister" would just as well establish this teaching as God's law. Both murder and anger without cause, if not repented of and forgiven, will result in the same judgment at the time we all come before the mercy seat of God and Jesus Christ when time on earth is at an end. Both are equally sinful in God's eyes.

It should be stated here that Jesus was not altering nor taking issue with God's law as given to Moses for the children of Israel. Rather, He was correcting the misinterpretations of the Law of God by the Jewish teachers and its leadership that appeared to be prevalent at that present time He delivered this sermon. As found in God's law, a murderer was to be put to death (Lev. 24:21, Num. 35:16). Murder is the intentional, malicious act of taking the life of another, with no just cause to do so. As righteous judgment, the putting to death of the murderer, in such cases, was right in the sight of God, because it was a justified punishment, which God authorized all justly established civil governments to carry out.

The point Jesus is making here is that anger always precedes murderous death. Yes people can accidentally cause the death of another, and, although there may be civil punishment if due care was not taken to avoid the accident, it was not done out of malice that resulted from anger. Many times there is sufficient cause for one to become angry, however it must never lead to wrathful vengeance. Paul wrote, Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (Eph. 4:26). This commandment is not just the New Testament will of God. The inspired Psalmist, David, wrote in the era of the Old Testament, Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil (Psalm 37:8). There is no difference between these two commandments of God. God condemns anger that leads one to wrathful actions, or to evil deeds. It is evident that the Jewish leaders and civil magistrates, during the days of Christ on earth, may have punished murder, but it appears that they condoned anger and hatred. Jesus corrects this errant teaching by saying that both are equally condemned in the sight of God, and both, if not repented and forgiven, will lead to eternal death. To God, anger without cause and murder are equally sinful.