Matthew 5 21

Matthew 5:21 kjv

Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

Matthew 5:21 nkjv

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.'

Matthew 5:21 niv

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.'

Matthew 5:21 esv

"You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'

Matthew 5:21 nlt

"You have heard that our ancestors were told, 'You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.'

Matthew 5 verses

Matthew 5 21 Meaning

This verse introduces the first of Jesus' "antitheses" in the Sermon on the Mount, where He confronts prevailing interpretations of the Mosaic Law. It states a well-known precept derived from the Ten Commandments: the prohibition against unlawful killing ("You shall not murder"), coupled with the understood consequence of being held accountable in the legal system. Jesus acknowledges the common understanding of this commandment, setting the stage to reveal its deeper, heart-level implications, moving beyond mere external acts to internal motivations.

Matthew 5 21 Context

Matthew 5:21 opens Jesus' revolutionary discourse within the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). Specifically, it initiates a series of six statements, commonly referred to as "antitheses" (Matthew 5:21-48), where Jesus uses the structure "You have heard that it was said... But I say to you..." These statements are preceded by Jesus' declaration in Matthew 5:17-20 that He came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them and intensify their meaning. His aim is to correct misunderstandings of the Mosaic Law, which had been reduced by many religious leaders to external ritual and mere compliance, without addressing the heart's disposition. Verse 21 presents the traditional, surface-level understanding of the Sixth Commandment, which Jesus is about to transcend by exposing its profound spiritual and internal implications.

Matthew 5 21 Word analysis

• You have heard: Greek: Ēkousate. A perfect active indicative verb, indicating an ongoing state of hearing and reception. It refers to a widely circulated or established tradition of teaching, possibly the rabbinic interpretations prevalent in first-century Judaism, or the Law as commonly expounded. It points to a humanly communicated understanding rather than necessarily the direct voice of God.
• that it was said: Greek: Errhēthē. An aorist passive indicative verb from legō ("to speak"). This impersonal passive construction indicates something was spoken by authority or tradition, but doesn't necessarily identify the speaker as God directly. It refers to established teachings and commentaries on the Mosaic Law.
• to those of old: Greek: tois archaiois. Refers to earlier generations, the ancestors, or those of ancient times. It highlights the traditional, historical context in which these teachings were understood and passed down. It frames the instruction as an ancient and well-established maxim.
• ‘You shall not murder: Greek: Ou phoneuseis. This is a direct quotation from the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) version of Exodus 20:13 and Deuteronomy 5:17, the Sixth Commandment. The verb phoneuō specifically denotes "to kill unlawfully," "to murder," or "to assassinate." It differentiates from other forms of killing (e.g., in self-defense, capital punishment by state, or accidental death) and explicitly forbids malicious, unjustified taking of human life. This commandment underpins the sanctity of human life as divinely given.
• and whoever murders: Greek: kai hos an phoneusē. Hos an means "whoever" or "whosoever," making the statement universally applicable. The aorist subjunctive phoneusē indicates a completed action in the future ("should murder" or "will murder"), pointing to a specific transgression.
• will be liable: Greek: enochos estai. Enochos is an adjective meaning "subject to," "deserving of," "accountable for," or "guilty of." It signifies facing a formal charge or penalty.
• to judgment’: Greek: tē krisei. Refers specifically to a legal judgment, trial, or sentence, particularly in an earthly court. This reflects the practical, societal consequence of murder in Israelite law, where an offender would face human judicial proceedings and, if found guilty, likely the death penalty. It underscores the traditional focus on the external legal accountability.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• You have heard that it was said to those of old: This opening phrase sets up the common, traditional understanding of the Law that Jesus is about to reinterpret or expand upon. It signifies popular rabbinic teaching, emphasizing its ancient and conventional authority.
• ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’: This encapsulates the literal interpretation of the Sixth Commandment. It highlights a focus on the act of murder and the resulting external legal consequence, before an earthly tribunal. This view, while correct in its outward application, often overlooked the inner intent and spiritual dimension of the Law.

Matthew 5 21 Bonus section

• The "antitheses" of Jesus (Matt 5:21-48) are not contradictions of God's revealed Law, but rather Christ's definitive interpretation of the Law's original, perfect intent, challenging the legalistic and superficial applications of His time. He re-centers the Law on internal holiness and right relationship.
• The progression of "judgment" from krisis (human court) in verse 21 to synedrion (Sanhedrin or higher court) and Gehenna tou pyros (Hell of fire) in verse 22 dramatically illustrates the escalation of accountability in Jesus' new covenant ethic, from earthly legal repercussions to divine and eternal consequences for heart attitudes.
• For the original audience, particularly those influenced by Pharisaic traditions, this statement would have been jarring. They understood the Law primarily as outward observances and codified rules, often believing righteousness was achieved by external adherence. Jesus dismantles this self-righteousness by revealing that true righteousness demands inner conformity to God's character.

Matthew 5 21 Commentary

Matthew 5:21 introduces a pivotal shift in Jesus’ teaching. By quoting the Sixth Commandment and its established legal consequence, Jesus affirms the foundational moral truth of the Mosaic Law against unlawful killing. However, this verse serves primarily as a platform from which Jesus will deepen understanding of what it means to truly fulfill this commandment. The traditional interpretation, reflected here, concentrated solely on the external act of murder and the subsequent human legal process (judgment before a court). While essential, this narrow view often missed the heart's true condition. Jesus is preparing His audience to understand that divine law penetrates beyond visible actions to the unseen realm of thoughts, intentions, and emotions, such as anger and hatred (Matt 5:22), revealing that even these inward dispositions violate the spirit of the commandment against murder, rendering one spiritually liable to a much higher judgment.