What does the word raca mean that Jesus warned against saying in Mathew 5:22?
Empty-Headed And Foolish
(Mathew 5:22) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
The word raca is found in only one verse of the Bible. While giving the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says that anyone who said to a brother or sister “Raca” would be answerable to the court. So what does this word mean that caused Jesus to give such a serious warning against using?
The word raca comes from the Aramaic word reka. The word is thought to have meant empty-headed, foolish, or vain. It was a word of reproach used by the Jews of that day and time that meant worthless. In the previous verse (Mathew 5:21), Jesus refers back to the commandment given to their ancestors that whoever murders someone would be subject to judgement. He then says whoever is angry with a brother or sister would face judgement, saying “Raca” to them would be answerable to the court, and insulting a person by saying “You fool!” would put you in danger of hell.
Jesus Took It A Step Further
Jesus had a pattern of taking things a step further in the Sermon on the Mount. Under the law the people had been told “Do not commit adultery.” Jesus takes it a step further by telling them that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully, that person has already committed adultery in their heart. (Mathew 5:27-28) Jesus is going after the root of the problem. It is the lusting after someone that causes the act of adultery. If you take care of the looking at the opposite sex lustfully problem, there will be no adultery.
No Raca, No Murder
The same can be said for having anger against a brother or sister that leads to insults and name calling. Left uncontrolled these things could even lead to murder. If you take care of the anger and name calling problem, there will be no murder problem.
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