How Is Anger the Same as Murder?

Key takeaways

Jesus fulfills the Torah by demonstrating its deeper wisdom, particularly regarding justice and relationships.
Anger and contempt are serious moral issues, equated by Jesus to the act of murder.
Jesus uses a structured method in his teachings to deepen understanding of the commandments.
Gehenna represents divine justice and the inversion of consequences based on one's actions against others.
The health of our relationship with God is dependent on the quality of our relationships with other humans.

Summary

Understanding Jesus' Teaching on the Torah

In this opening segment, the hosts introduce the fundamental perspective that Jesus didn't come to abolish the Torah but to fulfill it. They emphasize how Jesus' life demonstrates the wisdom inherent in the Torah laws. Instead of merely following the laws superficially, Jesus teaches that they embody deeper truths about justice and human relationships.

Deeper Insights on 'Do Not Murder'

The episode presents an in-depth analysis of the command 'Do not murder'. The hosts note that Jesus expands on this by warning against anger and contempt, equating them with the act of murder itself. They discuss the implications of this teaching, highlighting how it challenges the audience to consider the inner attitudes that lead to outward actions that violate the laws of God.

The Structure of Jesus' Teachings

Examining the structure of Jesus' teachings, particularly in Matthew 5:21-48, the hosts explain how Jesus introduces his teachings with 'You have heard that it was said...' followed by a reinterpretation or deeper teaching. This method not only affirms the commandments but also layers them with more expansive meanings that focus on inner morality.

Gehenna: A Symbol of Divine Justice

This segment dives into the meaning of 'Gehenna', a term Jesus uses to describe the consequences of moral failing and divine justice. The hosts clarify misconceptions and explain how Gehenna represents the ultimate outcome of contempt and injustice, drawing on the historical context of child sacrifice in the valley of Hinnom to illustrate God's judgment against wrongdoing.

The Relationship Between Actions and Internal Attitudes

Towards the conclusion of the episode, the hosts emphasize the connection between one's inner disposition towards others and their actions. They argue that treating people with contempt reflects a deeper problem of valuing human life. This leads to a moral imperative to address our attitudes toward others as much as our actions.

Show notes

Sermon on the Mount E10 – In Matthew 5:21-48, Jesus reveals the divine wisdom of Israel’s Old Testament laws through six case studies. In the first case study, he expounds on one of the Ten Commandments, “Do not murder” (Exod. 20:13). After acknowledging this command, Jesus takes it further by saying that anyone who is angry with his brother or publicly shames someone is also guilty of murder. What does he mean? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Matthew 5:21-32, exploring key concepts—such as murder, contempt, and divine justice—and what they tell us about the value of human beings.

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Timestamps

Chapter 1: What Jesus Is Doing in These Case Studies (0:00-8:45)
Chapter 2: Overview of Matthew 5:21-32 (8:45-18:09)
Chapter 3: Insults, Contempt, and the Value of Human Beings (18:09-26:11)
Chapter 4: The Paradox of the Crime and the Punishment (26:11-32:07)
Chapter 5: The Meaning of the Word Gehenna (32:07-56:15)

Referenced Resources

The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
The Sermon on the Mount and Human Flourishing by Jonathan T. Pennington
The Gospel of Matthew (New International Commentary on the New Testament) by R.T. France
The Geography of Hell in the Teaching of Jesus by Kim Papaioannou
The Fate of the Dead by Richard Bauckham
Check out Tim’s library here.
You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Jon Collins is the creative producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; Colin Wilson, producer; and Stephanie Tam, consultant and editor. Tyler Bailey is our audio engineer and editor, and he provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.

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