Exposing The Heart

Matthew 5:21-22

Author

Josh Hernandez
August 22, 2025

You may read this verse and think to yourself, how could murder and anger be used within the same conversation of punishment. Wouldn’t killing someone be a lot worse than just being angry at someone? I don’t necessarily think this is the point Jesus is driving home. Often times, we look at criminals, terrorists, or serial killers, thinking to ourselves, “Good thing I’m not like them.” We see this exact scenario with the Pharisee and the tax collector, where the Pharisee tells God of His obedience and thanks Him that he is not like the tax collector. On the other hand, the tax collector comes to the Lord humbly, knowing how broken he is, saying “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13).

Matthew 5:21–22

[21] “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ [22] But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. (ESV)

Going back to the concept of anger, Jesus presents something more common than murder, a sin that most people have fallen into. He points to this idea that both the murderer and the one with an attitude of anger are susceptible to judgment. Again, as Romans 6 points to the cost of any sin being death, both anger and murder lead to the same thing, eternal destruction. This is again where we must cling to the righteousness of Christ. As we have all fallen into anger at some point in our life, we need to ask the Lord to cleanse us of our unrighteousness and cling to His. Take some time for self examination, not looking at the sins of others, but your own individual sin. Cast it onto Christ and live in the forgiveness He so graciously gives to those who come to Him.

Respond with any questions, prayer requests, or encouragement.

In Christ,

Josh Hernandez