You Have Heard It Said
God's law reaches the heart
This passage talks about anger, adultery, and divorce.
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- A verse number shows the Bible’s exact words.
- An underlined word shows what it means.
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What does it say?
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The whole passage, in shortThe main points of the whole passage, in a few sentences.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus took God's commandments one at a time and showed how deep they go. He said anger and insults break the command against murder, and that people should make peace with each other even before bringing an offering to God. He said faithfulness starts in the heart, that God means marriage to last, and that his followers should simply let their "yes" be "yes" and their "no" be "no."
Where it is in the Bible: Matthew 5:21-37
Before You Read
Where we are. Jesus is on a hillside in Galilee, teaching a crowd. This teaching is called the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 to 7).
What just happened. Jesus began with blessings for the poor in spirit and the people who mourn (5:3-4). Then he said he did not come to get rid of God's law, but to fulfill it (5:17).
What this passage is. Jesus takes some of God's commandments, one at a time. Each time he says, "You have heard that it was said..." Then he says, "But I tell you..." He shows what the commandment really asks for, deep down in the heart.
How to read it. These words are strong. They are meant to show how much God cares about the heart, and how much we need him. Read to the end, and look for the good news.
Map of the Passage
| Section | Verses | What it says |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Anger | 5:21-22 | The commandment against murder reaches the heart |
| 2. Go and Make Peace | 5:23-26 | Make things right with others quickly |
| 3. Faithful Hearts | 5:27-30 | The commandment against adultery reaches the eyes and heart |
| 4. Marriage | 5:31-32 | God means marriage to last |
| 5. Let Your Yes Be Yes | 5:33-37 | Tell the truth, no promises needed |
Section by Section
Section 1 of 5Anger
"You have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not murder'" (5:21). This is one of the Ten Commandments.
"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment" (5:22).
Jesus says the commandment isn't only about killing. It is also about hate in the heart, and words that tear people down, like calling someone a fool.
"Brother" here means anyone close to you, like a neighbor or a friend.
Section 2 of 5Go and Make Peace
Jesus gave an example. Someone has brought an offering to God at the temple altar. Then he remembers that someone has something against him.
"Leave your gift there before the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift" (5:24).
To be reconciled means to make peace and be friends again.
Jesus said to make things right quickly, before a fight gets bigger and ends up in court.
Section 3 of 5Faithful Hearts
"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'" (5:27). Adultery means a married person being unfaithful to their husband or wife.
Jesus said this commandment reaches the heart too. It is broken by wanting someone who isn't yours, even just by looking.
Then Jesus used strong words. If your eye or your hand causes you to sin, get rid of it.
This is a comparison. Jesus is not telling anyone to hurt their body. He means: take sin seriously, and get rid of whatever pulls you toward it.
Section 4 of 5Marriage
People said a man could divorce his wife if he gave her a paper saying so.
But Jesus said God means marriage to last. Back then, a man could send his wife away for almost any reason, and she could be left with nothing. Jesus spoke up for what God intended.
Section 5 of 5Let Your Yes Be Yes
People made promises by swearing on things, like heaven, the earth, or Jerusalem. Some thought a promise only counted if you swore by something big enough.
Jesus said everything belongs to God. You can't even make one hair on your head white or black.
"Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.'" (5:37).
In other words, be the kind of person who tells the truth all the time.
Meaning
What does it mean?
Read It
What Does This Mean?
| The text says | It means |
|---|---|
| "You have heard that it was said" (5:21) | People knew the commandments. Jesus showed how deep they go. |
| "Anyone who is angry with his brother" (5:22) | God cares about hate in the heart, not only what we do. |
| "First go and be reconciled to your brother" (5:24) | Making peace with people matters to God. |
| "In his heart" (5:28) | Sin starts on the inside. |
| "Gouge it out... cut it off" (5:29-30) | A comparison: take sin seriously. Not a command to hurt yourself. |
| "Let your 'Yes' be 'Yes'" (5:37) | Be honest all the time. |
Back Then
"Raca" was an insult. It meant something like "empty-head."
The Sanhedrin was the highest Jewish court. It met in Jerusalem.
Divorce was easy for men, and hard on women. Some teachers said a man could divorce his wife for small things. A divorced woman could be left poor and alone.
Literal Reader Alert
Should someone really cut off their hand? No. Jesus never wants anyone to hurt their body. He is using a strong picture to say sin is serious. If you ever feel like hurting yourself, please tell a trusted adult right away.
Is all anger a sin? Jesus himself was angry when people were treated unfairly (Mark 3:5). He is warning about anger that holds on, hates, and tears people down.
My parents are divorced. Is that my fault? No. A divorce is never a child's fault. Jesus loves families that are hurting. If you're sad or confused, talk to someone you trust.
Is it wrong to make a promise? No. Jesus is saying your plain word should be enough. Christians do make promises, like wedding vows.
Who can keep all of this? No one but Jesus. These words show us how much we need him.
How People Feel
| Who | Feeling | Why |
|---|---|---|
| The crowd | Surprised | Jesus said the commandments go deeper than they thought (5:22) |
| The crowd | Guilty | Everyone has been angry or unkind (5:22) |
| Someone at the altar | Uneasy | He remembered someone had something against him (5:23) |
For you
What does it mean for me?
Your Turn
Which part of Jesus's teaching hits closest to home? Tap one.
Anger
Everyone gets angry. Jesus can help you let go, and he forgives you.
Making peace
Is there someone you need to make things right with? Jesus says go, and he goes with you.
Telling the truth
Being honest can be hard. Your "yes" can be "yes" with his help.
I fall short
Everyone does. That's why Jesus came. He kept these for you.
You Might Have Heard
"As long as I don't do anything really bad, I'm a good person."
What's true: Not murdering and not cheating are good. God's commandments protect people.
What the passage is mainly about: Jesus says God looks at the heart. By that measure, no one is good enough on their own. That sounds like bad news. But Jesus came to fulfill the law for us (5:17), and to give us new hearts.
Where Jesus is: On a hillside, telling the truth about our hearts, on his way to the cross where he would forgive us.
Good News
Jesus shows how deep God's commandments go. All the way to the heart.
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them" (5:17).
Jesus never hated. He never lied. He loved perfectly. And he gives his perfect life to everyone who trusts him. When we fall short, he forgives us and helps us start again.
Jesus fulfilled God's law for us. He forgives our hearts, and teaches us to make peace and tell the truth.
Big Idea
Jesus shows that God's commandments reach the heart. He kept them perfectly for us, forgives us, and teaches us to make peace.
If this passage brings up big feelings, talk with someone you trust, like a parent, pastor, or counselor.
For leaders and parentsLuther, church readings, and notes for teaching.
From Luther
In the Small Catechism, Luther explained the Fifth Commandment, "You shall not murder," this way: we should not hurt our neighbor, but help and support them in every need. He said each commandment asks for more than not doing wrong. It asks us to do good.
In Church
Many churches follow the Revised Common Lectionary. In Year A, it reads Matthew 5:21-37 on the Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany.
We quote Luther for what he got right about grace. He also wrote terrible things about Jewish people. Read our note on that.
Memorize
How do I keep it?
One line from this story to learn by heart. Practice a little now. It will come back later so it sticks.
First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
How did that feel?
You finished You Have Heard It Said.
Using this at church
Read in church on
- Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Year AGospel, Matthew 5:21–37
For a newsletter or sermon notes
You Have Heard It Said, explained in plain words. Jesus shows how deep God's commandments go: anger, faithfulness, and honest words. About 10 minutes. https://freescripture.org/stories/you-have-heard-it-said/
Lines for the next eight Sundays, on Digital Lutheran Church