Q: In Matthew 5:22, Jesus said that whoever says You fool! shall be in danger of hell-fire. But in Matthew 23, He repeatedly calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites, fools, blind, and serpents. Isnt this contradictory?
No; the idea in 5:22 is that whoever is angry with his brother without provocation risks a trial for a misdemeanor-level offense; whoever says to his brother Raca risks a trial for a felony-level offense, and whoever says You fool risks a trial for a capital offense. It doesnt mean that the person is necessarily guilty of the offenses; it means that if and when such things are said, the speaker should be deliberative and be sure that his words are accurate. Such expressions should not be lightly spoken.
And in Matthew 23, Jesus does not speak them lightly. He speaks them deliberately and exhortatively. He specifically points out what the religious rulers are doing wrong, and what they should be doing right.
See also my comments at Matthew 5:22 at p089.ezboard.com/fsabdisc...1533.topic
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
No; the idea in 5:22 is that whoever is angry with his brother without provocation risks a trial for a misdemeanor-level offense; whoever says to his brother Raca risks a trial for a felony-level offense, and whoever says You fool risks a trial for a capital offense. It doesnt mean that the person is necessarily guilty of the offenses; it means that if and when such things are said, the speaker should be deliberative and be sure that his words are accurate. Such expressions should not be lightly spoken.
And in Matthew 23, Jesus does not speak them lightly. He speaks them deliberately and exhortatively. He specifically points out what the religious rulers are doing wrong, and what they should be doing right.
See also my comments at Matthew 5:22 at p089.ezboard.com/fsabdisc...1533.topic
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
