Matthew 5:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

"You have heard that our fathers were told, `Do not murder,'l and that anyone who commits murder will be subject to judgment.

Berean Standard Bible:

You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Ye have heard^{G191} that^{G3754} it was said^{G4483} by them of old time^{G744}, Thou shalt^{G5407} not^{G3756} kill^{G5407}; and^{G1161} whosoever^{G3739}^{G302} shall kill^{G5407} shall be^{G2071} in danger^{G1777} of the judgment^{G2920}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Numbers 35:30

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person [to cause him] to die.

Numbers 35:34

Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.

Exodus 21:12

¶ He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Exodus 21:14

But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.

Matthew 5:38

¶ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

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Commentary for Matthew 5:21

Matthew 5:21 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a significant discourse delivered by Jesus Christ early in the Gospel of Matthew. In this verse, Jesus addresses the theme of murder, referencing the Sixth Commandment from the Old Testament, "Thou shalt not kill" (Exodus 20:13). The historical context is crucial: Jesus is speaking to a Jewish audience well-versed in the Mosaic Law, which included strict prohibitions against taking human life.

In this verse, Jesus begins to delve into the deeper spiritual meaning of the Law, moving beyond the letter of the law to its spirit. He emphasizes that the commandment against killing is not merely an external rule to be followed but represents a profound ethical and moral stance that must govern the heart and mind. Jesus is not only warning against the physical act of murder but is also setting the stage for a broader discussion on the roots of such actions, which include anger and contempt for others (as he elaborates in the subsequent verses).

The themes here are the transcendence of the law through love and the call to an internal transformation that reflects the character of God. Jesus challenges his listeners to recognize that righteousness exceeds mere obedience to rules; it involves purity of intention and a commitment to peaceful and reconciled relationships. This verse serves as an introduction to Jesus' radical reinterpretation of the Law, which demands not just outward conformity but inward holiness and the embodiment of love and mercy in every aspect of life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

Strong's Number: G191
There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀκούω
Transliteration: akoúō
Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.
Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
Strong's Number: G4483
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ῥέω
Transliteration: rhéō
Pronunciation: er-eh'-o
Description: ἔπωperhaps akin (or identical) with ῥέω (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:--command, make, say, speak (of). Compare λέγω.
Strong's Number: G744
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀρχαῖος
Transliteration: archaîos
Pronunciation: ar-khah'-yos
Description: from ἀρχή; original or primeval:--(them of) old (time).
Strong's Number: G5407
There are 10 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: φονεύω
Transliteration: phoneúō
Pronunciation: fon-yoo'-o
Description: from φονεύς; to be a murderer (of):--kill, do murder, slay.
Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.
Strong's Number: G1161
There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: δέ
Transliteration: dé
Pronunciation: deh
Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
Strong's Number: G3739
There are 1215 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅς
Transliteration: hós
Pronunciation: ho
Description: probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article ὁ); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:--one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc. See also οὗ.
Strong's Number: G302
There are 241 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἄν
Transliteration: án
Pronunciation: an
Description: a primary particle, denoting a supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty:--(what-, where-, wither-, who-)soever. Usually unexpressed except by the subjunctive or potential mood. Also contracted for ἐάν.
Strong's Number: G2071
There are 170 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔσομαι
Transliteration: ésomai
Pronunciation: es'-om-ahee
Description: future of εἰμί; will be:--shall (should) be (have), (shall) come (to pass), X may have, X fall, what would follow, X live long, X sojourn.
Strong's Number: G1777
There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔνοχος
Transliteration: énochos
Pronunciation: en'-okh-os
Description: from ἐνέχω; liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation):--in danger of, guilty of, subject to.
Strong's Number: G2920
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κρίσις
Transliteration: krísis
Pronunciation: kree'-sis
Description:

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