According to rabbinic tradition and most cultures, murder is strictly limited to the physical act of taking another person’s life. However, God’s requirement is higher. God demands not just external behavior but internal attitude of the heart. Therefore, Jesus told the crowd that their righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees (v. 20). Many carry anger and hatred in their hearts, to the extent that their hidden desire is for the destruction of the one they hate. The fact that fear, cowardice, or lack of opportunity prevents them from committing murder, does not diminish their guilt before God.
根据犹太教的传统及在多数文化中，杀人仅是指夺取他人性命的行为。可是，神的标准更高；祂不但在乎人的外在的行为，更重视其内心的态度。所以，耶稣对众人说他们的义要胜于文士和法利赛人的义（20节）。其实，许多人心里都怀着怨恨与愤怒，以至于内心所渴望的是将对方杀了。虽然他们因害怕、胆怯，或没有下手的机会而不杀人，但那这并不减轻他们在神面前的罪。
- It Reveals Self-Righteousness 它揭露了自义的心 (5:22)
“You fool” (‘raca’) literally means ‘empty-headed.’ This verbal abuse stems from the same sinful motives (anger and hatred) that ultimately lead to murder. The internal attitude is what the law prohibits, and therefore an abusive insult carries the same kind of moral guilt as an act of murder. Jesus said that a person who arrogantly dismisses one of God’s creatures as a “fool” will face the judgment of God. This is self-righteous and shows no regards for their Creator.
拉加，按字义来说就是“白痴”；这种辱骂源于同一个罪恶的动机，即憎恨与愤怒，而这终将导致杀人的结局。律法真正要禁止的是人内心的态度，所以辱骂与杀人的罪行是相等的。耶稣说，因人的高傲自大而藐视神所的创造的人，必会受到神的审判。这是自义的表现；他们不把创造主放在眼里。
- It Affects the Worship of God 它影响对神的敬拜 (5:23-26)
Worship involves the heart and as long as there are unresolved issues with a brother, outward acts of worship are not acceptable to God. Reconciliation must precede worship.
敬拜，对法利塞人与文士而言，都只不过是外在仪式，但这不是神所悦纳的。只要弟兄们之间还存着对抗的心，外在的敬拜是不受神悦纳的。
Praying the Scripture 用经文祷告
- Is there someone in your life you hate? Confess your sin because the Lord equates it with murder. Pray that as a child of God you would love rather than hate. The Lord has placed this person in your life for a reason. Instead of hate, thank God and learn the lesson He intended for you.
你是否憎恨某人呢？请你向神认罪，因为主视憎恨与杀人为同等。作为神的儿女，请祈求神让你去爱而不是恨。主把这个人放在你生命中，自有祂的美意。若要恨，我们不如感谢上帝，并认真学习祂所把此人放在我们身边的功课。
- Do you label people “idiot” or “stupid?” If you insult the person, you not only insult him but his Creator. This shows no fear and respect to his Creator who is God. Pray that we have the attitude of a person who fears the Creator God.
你是否将某人视为“白痴”或“笨蛋”呢？若你辱骂他人，你不仅在侮辱他，还侮辱了创造他的主。这行为说明你对他的创造主——神，丝毫无存敬畏之心。请向神祈求，叫我们能拥有敬畏神的心。
- Reconciliation precedes worship. Have you resolve the relationship problem before you go to church to worship God? Do you think the Lord will accept your worship?
