How does Matthew 5:21 deepen our understanding of the commandment "You shall not murder"? Setting the Scene • In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus revisits well-known commands, pressing past outward compliance to expose the heart. • Matthew 5:21 opens His treatment of the sixth commandment. The Text • “You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’” (Matthew 5:21a). • “and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment’” (Matthew 5:21b). • Original command: “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13). Beyond the Letter: From Act to Attitude • Jesus affirms the law’s authority, then probes its depth. • He redirects attention from the physical act to the inner source—anger, contempt, hatred. • The commandment was never meant to function as a minimalist boundary (“just avoid homicide”) but as a revelation of God’s high view of human life and relationships. Why Motive Matters • Murder begins in the heart long before any weapon is raised (Genesis 4:8). • Anger left unchecked incubates violence (James 1:20). • By targeting the attitude, Jesus safeguards both potential victims and potential perpetrators, calling disciples to deal decisively with sin at its root. Connecting Other Scriptures • 1 John 3:15: “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” – confirming that hatred violates the commandment. • Proverbs 4:23: “Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” – underscoring inward vigilance. • Ephesians 4:31-32 – put away bitterness, be kind and forgiving, showing the positive counterpart to the prohibition. Implications for Daily Discipleship • Examine emotional responses quickly; confess anger before it festers. • Seek reconciliation promptly (Matthew 5:23-24). • Speak words that dignify others; refrain from contemptuous language (Matthew 5:22). • Practice active love toward enemies (Matthew 5:44), replacing murderous impulses with life-giving actions. Summing Up Matthew 5:21 doesn’t replace the sixth commandment; it reveals its full intent. Murder is condemned not only in deed but in seed—anger, hatred, contempt. Jesus calls His followers to honor life by cultivating hearts of peace, forgiveness, and sacrificial love. |
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