In Matthew 5:22, Jesus warns, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” In this verse, Jesus refers to insulting someone by calling them “raca.” So what is the meaning and significance of this word?
The Meaning of “Raca”
“Raca” is an Aramaic word meaning “empty-headed” or expressing contempt for someone’s intelligence. It was an offensive, derogatory term that was an insult to someone’s character and dignity. Calling someone “raca” conveyed anger, contempt, and a lack of love for that person as an image-bearer of God. Jesus prohibited the use of this term because it stemmed from hatred and degraded others.
The Seriousness of the Offense
In his teaching, Jesus equated saying “raca” to being angry with or insulting a brother. He then said that these offenses made one liable to judgment and punishment. Specifically, he stated that:
- Anger/hatred made one liable to judgment
- Saying “raca” made one liable to the council (likely the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin)
- Saying “you fool” made one liable to the hell of fire (Gehenna)
This escalation of punishment shows Jesus considered verbal insults like “raca” very serious sins worthy of condemnation. The word expressed inner contempt and hatred that broke the 6th commandment against murder in one’s heart (Matthew 5:21-22). Using it was not just a slight matter but an offense against God’s law.
Insults Dehumanize People
Calling others derogatory names like “raca” dehumanizes them. Once we classify people as fools, idiots, or other insulting labels, we dismiss their dignity as human beings. This makes it easier to hate or mistreat them without remorse. Jesus prohibited the use of insults like “raca” because they diminish others’ intrinsic worth and lead to alienation and mistreatment.
The Need for Righteous Anger
Importantly, Jesus does not condemn all forms of anger in this passage. The Bible speaks of righteous anger against injustice and sin (Eph. 4:26). However, the anger Jesus condemns is unjustified anger that insults and tears others down. Saying “raca” expressed sinful anger and contempt, not righteous indignation. As Ephesians 4:29 says, our speech should build others up, not tear them down through insults.
Restoring Broken Relationships
Jesus also gave instructions on what to do when anger and conflict arise with others: “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). Here we see Jesus’s priority is restoring broken relationships, even above religious rituals. This provides the antidote to toxic speech like “raca” – pursuing reconciliation.
The Divine Image in All People
Every human being is made in God’s image and has immeasurable worth (Genesis 1:26-27). Saying “raca” rejected this core biblical truth. While anger itself is not wrong, dehumanizing others through insults like “raca” dishonored God’s image in them. Jesus commanded us to love others as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). Using derogatory speech violated this second greatest commandment.
The Power of Words
Jesus understood that words have tremendous power. Saying “raca” in anger could destroy relationships, dehumanize others, and lead to escalating hatred and harm. Ephesians 4:29 says corrupt speech like insults grieves the Holy Spirit. Jesus warned about careless words in Matthew 12:36-37, teaching that we will give an account for every word on judgment day. Since words have such power, Jesus prohibited his followers from sinful speech that diminished others’ dignity.
A Higher Standard
Throughout Matthew 5 in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus called his disciples to a higher standard of righteousness. While the Mosaic law prohibited murder, Jesus went further and prohibited anger in one’s heart (Matthew 5:21-22). While the law prohibited adultery, Jesus prohibited even lustful thoughts (Matthew 5:27-28). Jesus did not abolish the law but deepened and intensified its demands for those who followed Him (Matthew 5:17-20). Prohibiting derogatory insults like “raca” reflected this higher standard of love, righteousness and reconciliation Jesus taught.
The Power of Life and Death
The book of Proverbs also warns about the incredible power of words to bring life or death: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Our words can destroy through insults and lies but also impart life and healing through encouragement and truth. This is why Jesus prohibited saying words like “raca” that diminished the life and dignity of others. As followers of Christ, our speech should build others up in love (Ephesians 4:15), not tear them down through derogatory labels.
Fulfilling the Royal Law
Jesus taught that the essence of God’s law is to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39). The apostle James called this the “royal law” and warned against insulting others: “If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors” (James 2:8-9). Using derogatory speech like “raca” against others clearly violated this royal law of love.
No Place for Prideful Contempt
Calling others “raca” expressed prideful contempt, seeing oneself as superior and others as worthless fools. But Scripture sternly warns against such pride and arrogance. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” And Proverbs 8:13 states, “Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Saying “raca” to others violated the biblical command to “in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).
The Heart Revealed by Our Words
Jesus also taught that our words reveal the condition of our hearts. In Matthew 12:34-35 he stated, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” Using derogatory insults like “raca” exposed an evil heart filled with hatred, arrogance and anger. Our speech should instead reflect the goodness and love residing in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).
Appropriate Time and Place
Ecclesiastes 3:7 states there is “a time to tear, and a time to sew.” While there are appropriate times for hard words of rebuke and correction, wantonly insulting others with terms like “raca” has no place in the life of a Jesus-follower. As Christ-like communicators, we must consider not just what we say but how and when we say it. 1 Peter 3:15-16 commands us to speak gently and respectfully even when giving reasons for our faith.
Words that Defile
Jesus also warned that evil words defile a person just like immorality: “What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person” (Matthew 15:18-20). Using derogatory speech like “raca” proceeded from evil thoughts and intentions. Far from harmless, such words truly contaminated the speaker.
Speak as One Under God’s Law
The apostle James exhorted believers to control their speech, knowing we are accountable to God’s law of love: “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless… For we who are called to give an account for every careless word we speak” (James 1:26, 3:2). Saying “raca” in contempt failed to bridle the tongue and thus rejected true obedience to Christ.
The Guidance of the Holy Spirit
But how can we find the power to control our speech and not insult others? Paul wrote in Galatians 5:16, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Insults like “raca” gratify sinful anger and pride. But those led by the Spirit speak with self-control, gentleness, patience, and kindness (Galatians 5:22-23). Submitting our speech to the Holy Spirit provides victory over insults and derogatory labels.
Conclusion
Jesus prohibited saying “raca” to others because this Aramaic insult expressed contempt, anger, and arrogance that dehumanized people made in God’s image. It violated the royal law of love and command to build others up with our words. Jesus warned strongly against this sinful speech that damaged relationships and dishonored human dignity. As Christians, we must ask the Holy Spirit to empower us to speak words of love and life that draw people together.