Murder Rightly Understood
Matthew 5:21-26
[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. [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 and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. [25] Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. [26] Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1. In what ways had the scribes and Pharisees subtly weakened and watered down God’s truth on the topic of murder?
2. According to Jesus’ definition, are we all murderers? How does this passage bring out the truth of Romans 3:23 and point us to the Savior?
3. How seriously do you take your anger? How does Jesus’ words challenge you to rethink it, confess it, and repent of it?
4. What make Jesus’ anger expressed in various places in the New Testament different from what’s in view in this passage?
5. What is Hell? Read and discuss the following passages on “the hell of fire” (v 22): Matthew 13:42, 50; 25:46; Mark 9:43, 48.
6. What does this passage teach us about the priority and urgency of reconciliation? What are some concrete scenarios in which this can be practically applied in our own lives.
