But I say unto you] I take not upon me to give you a new law, but to expound Gods law rightly to you. without a cause] Rashly. Then a man may be angry for a just cause; else where is zeal? Ephesians 4:26. in danger of the judgement] He shall be as well liable to a capitall sentence, as that person that is tried for murder in the court before mentioned, v. 21. That is, he shall suffer that death which by breach of that commandment every murderer is liable to: although he shall have a lesse punishment in hell, as he that was tried for murder before the twenty three judges, had a lesse painfull or ignominious death then he that was brought before the greatest court. to his brother] To another man, v. 23, 24. An Hebrew phrase, Genesis 26:31. One to another. Heb. a man to his brother. Raca] O vain man! as Judges 9:4. 1 Samuel 6:20. To wit, he that saith so in rash anger: otherwise, we finde the phrase used, James 2:20. in danger of the council] Shall be liable to a greater punishment in hell, as a greater offender was liable to the Sanhedrin, or great council, who judged of capitall crimes in publike persons, as in an high-priest, or of a false prophet, and had power to inflict a sharper or more disgracefull kinde of death. shall say] Out of advised anger, as before: otherwise, our blessed Saviour, who never sinned, used that word, Matth. 23. 17, 19. Thou fool] A word of greater disgrace then the former. in danger of hell fire] Gr. in danger to be cast into Gehenna: that is, to have the greatest torments in hell inflicted upon him; as the greatest offendour among the Jews was to be adjudged either that he should be burned alive in the valley of Hinnom, which was the most painfull death; or to have his dead carcase denied buriall, and burnt there, among the carion cast out of the city, which was the greatest disgrace.