Matthew 5:21-48

5:22 | Raca actually means “empty head, worthless, or foolish.” It is a word of contempt. Those who used that word were demonstrating a spirit of anger that could cause them to be called before the Sanhedrin, the highest court in the land. Such anger is dangerous and destructive and has no place in the life of a believer (Prov. 20:2; 29:22; Eph. 4:31; James 1:20).

5:23-25 | The Bible advises settling disputes quickly (Eph. 4:26), before the enemy can gain a foothold in one’s heart and influence subsequent behavior.

5:28 | Lust usually refers to an insatiable hunger for pleasure, profit, power, prestige, or sex. It is a sinful craving called “fleshly lusts” (1 Pet. 2:11). Healthy sexual desire is rooted in God, whereas lust is self-centered and insensitive to the needs of others.

5:29-30 | In Jesus’ day, Gehenna referred to a rubbish heap outside the southwest border of Jerusalem, where the bodies of criminals, indigents, and others who had no family to care for them were taken and burned after they passed away. This pile of rubbish was continually aflame and eventually became a symbol for hell.

5:33-37 | Christians should have such obvious virtue in their character that they do not need to add anything to their yes or no (such as “I promise!”) to assure others that they are speaking truthfully (Lev. 19:12; Deut. 23:21-23; James 5:12).

5:38 | The law of retaliation (Ex. 21:23-25; Deut. 19:21) was given as a guideline for judges. In effect, God limited the scope of retaliation, saying the punishment must fit the crime (an eye for an eye) and not be excessive, as it was in some other ancient laws. God does not encourage people to take revenge but commands restraint instead.

5:40-42 | Under Jewish law a debtor’s tunic could be seized because it was considered an important financial asset. But Jesus told His disciples that when an accuser tried to take away their tunic, they were to give him their cloak also. And if under Roman law a soldier compelled them to carry his backpack for one mile, they were to volunteer to carry it for two miles. These radical responses to injustice were opportunities for others to see the reality of Christ in His followers.

5:42 | Jesus is not advocating that believers give to the point where they can no longer meet their own obligations. Rather, He teaches that the heart of a genuine Christian is always open to the needs of others. This teaching compliments Paul’s statement about not caring for one’s household (1 Tim. 5:8).