Why wil Raqua make one answerable to the Sanhedrin and not to fiery Gehenna?

Apologetics Sacred Scripture
#1

Hello: Jesus used the word Raca during his sermon on the mount (Mathew 5:22) when he was teaching about anger.

I found a definition of the word here:
concordances.org/hebrew/7554.htm

which defines Raqa: to beat, stamp, beat out, spread out

Now initially I thought that Jesus might have meant to physically beat someone that you might be angry with, but Christ doesn’t say if you “do” Raqa, but rather, if you “SAY” Raqa.

Since the definition of Raqa also says “spread out”, could Jesus have meant to “spread rumor”.

Sometimes I wish that scripture was easier to understand.

Thank you in advance for your response.

#2

My Bible (NRSV) says the following:

“But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire”.

The word “insult” is marked with a footnote which reads: “Greek say Raca to (an obsure term of abuse)”

So it seems as though it could be another word for “insult” or “offend”.

#3

I checked it out and found rhak-ah’ (greek) means "O empty one, that is, thou worthless. (as a term of utter vilification)- raca. Compared to the Hebrew, req-(rake)-worthless, emptied, vain(fellow man).

I am glad some of scripture is difficult to understand at first. That keeps us seeking truth.

Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10

1 Like
#4

One of my favourite lines from Scripture. And a beautiful message =)

#5

From the footnote in the New American Bible

  • [5:22] Anger is the motive behind murder, as the insulting epithets are steps that may lead to it. They, as well as the deed, are all forbidden. Raqa: an Aramaic word rēqā’ or rēqâ probably meaning “imbecile,” “blockhead,” a term of abuse.
#6

These definitions help the clarify the muddy waters, but there still is sediment floating in it. Help me to drink from this scriptural pond by explaining:

. . . and whoever says to his brother,
Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin . . .

Why wil Raqua make one answerable to the Sanhedrin and not to fiery Gehenna?

#7

This thread is more than 3 years dormant. We are not to resurrect old threads.

#8

I had no idea that this was a rule. So, should I have started a new thread? a

#9

Yes.

Please open a new thread and I will be happy to explain why the words used (raqa, you fool, etc) have little to do with the meaning of the passage.

-Tim-

#10

22 But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment, and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raqa,’ will be answerable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ will be liable to fiery Gehenna.

Jesus used the word Raca during this teaching. (Mathew 5:22)

Scripture is deep and always refreshing except when I find it too muddy to drink from.
Please clarify this passage and help me to drink from this scriptural pond by explaining:

. . . and whoever says to his brother,
Raqa, will be answerable to the Sanhedrin . . .

Why will Raqua make one answerable to the Sanhedrin and not to fiery Gehenna?

#11

It isn’t about the words "Raqa’ and “You fool”

The first sin is internal. Anger is in your heart but you don’t express it. This is a sin and leaves you open to God’s judgement.

The second sin is when act in anger toward the person you are angry with. Notice that you say words of anger to your brother. This sin is one-on-one, between you and the person you are angry with. The Sanhedrin or "Council as some Bibles translate, was the supreme Jewish council with the power to pass the death sentence.

The third sin is public. You insult your brother, calling him a fool publicly. You ruin his good name and cause scandal. It is the sin of detraction. It is malicious criticism intended to lessen someone’s esteem or reputation. It is public. This earns you the fires of Hell.

It isn’t about the exact words you use. It is about 1) anger in the heart, 2) acting in anger toward your brother and, 3) public acts of detraction. Each carries a more severe liability and punishment.

[LIST=1]
*]You think to yourself, "He is liar and can’t be trusted.
*]You say to him, “You are a liar and can’t be trusted!”
*]You say to a room full of people, “He is a liar. Never trust him!”

It’s better to keep your mouth shut.

-Tim-

#12

Tim,
Good answer. You have quenched my thirst to know the meaning of this passage.

a

#13

I appreciate you saying so but the passage is deeper than anything I could ever say about it. Keep meditating upon it.

What also helps is a good knowledge of the history and culture of the writer and his intended audience.

What is the council?
What is the Sanhedrin?
What is meant by “fiery Gehenna”?
How do judges pass sentence?

Even the word “liable” is pregnant with meaning here and has to do with legal agreement and covenants. There was such a thing as a covenant law suit which is interesting to know in the context of this passage.

The verse is very Catholic. It has to do with various levels of sin which leave one open to increasing “liability” and harsher sentence.

-Tim-

-Tim-

#14

thanks again.

#15

So nice I had to sign it twice! :smiley:

-Tim-

#16

Anger is not always a sin…
For Paul commands us to be angry (imperative), but do not sin:
Merely being angry, emotively, internally – is not automatically a sin.
biblehub.com/interlinear/ephesians/4-26.htm

The second sin is when act in anger toward the person you are angry with. Notice that you say words of anger to your brother. This sin is one-on-one, between you and the person you are angry with. The Sanhedrin or "Council as some Bibles translate, was the supreme Jewish council with the power to pass the death sentence.

Yes. But only if you’re wrong; it’s an corporal work of mercy to admonish the sinner.

The third sin is public. You insult your brother, calling him a fool publicly. You ruin his good name and cause scandal. It is the sin of detraction. It is malicious criticism intended to lessen someone’s esteem or reputation. It is public. This earns you the fires of Hell.

Note:
The words, “you fool”, are not accusing a brother of mere lack of intelligence; rather those specific words are used in the psalms to mark out people who are damned. eg: “The fool says in his heart, there is no God”. Therefore, The fool, in a scriptural, legal, sense – is a person who is wicked, predatory, and worthy of damnation.

To say a person is ‘a fool’, is to accuse them of being atheistic, against the law, and a damnable predator/murder. That’s why, the accusation is so serious – and if proven false is damnable to the one falsely accusing; For you are accusing them of a crime worthy of death – so you too are subject to death.eg: “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you”, and “The measure with which you measure will be measured back to you”

On the other hand, if what you say is TRUE, then it may not end up with you going to hell.

It isn’t about the exact words you use. It is about 1) anger in the heart, 2) acting in anger toward your brother and, 3) public acts of detraction. Each carries a more severe liability and punishment.

[LIST=1]
*]You think to yourself, "He is liar and can’t be trusted.
*]You say to him, “You are a liar and can’t be trusted!”
*]You say to a room full of people, “He is a liar. Never trust him!”

It’s better to keep your mouth shut.

-Tim-

Aye. Better to keep your mouth shut, and very difficult to do in a moment of anger; even with gritted teeth trying to act as jail bars for a hopelessly loose tongue that can strike faster than a serpent, and quicker than the mind can process the consequences of what is being said.

#17