“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.” (Matthew 5:22, ESV)

This verse is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He delivers profound teachings that illuminate and fulfill the deeper intentions behind the Law given to Moses. In this specific verse, Jesus is expounding on the commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13) by addressing the root of murder: anger in the heart.

Jesus teaches that it is not only the act of murder that is condemnable but also the anger and contempt held in one’s heart towards another. By equating anger with murder in terms of moral guilt before God, Jesus emphasizes the importance of reconciling with one another and maintaining pure relationships. He points out that even calling someone a “fool” is a serious offense, reflecting a dismissive and contemptuous attitude that is akin to the sin of murder because it devalues human life and dignity.

In essence, Matthew 5:22 challenges believers to examine their hearts and to pursue righteousness that exceeds mere external compliance with the law. It calls for a transformation that begins within, fostering love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, in contrast to harboring anger, insult, or contempt. This teaching invites followers of Christ to live in a way that reflects the kingdom of heaven, marked by peace and respect for the sacredness of every person.

The question you’ve raised touches on the nuanced understanding of Jesus’ teachings and actions within the Scriptures. Jesus does use the term “fool” in specific contexts, notably in Matthew 23:17 and Luke 12:20. To understand why Jesus can do this without contradicting His teachings, it’s important to consider the context, audience, and intent behind His words.

In Matthew 23:17, Jesus says, “Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?” Here, Jesus is addressing the religious leaders of His time, specifically criticizing their hypocrisy and spiritual blindness. They focused on minute details of the law while neglecting its weightier matters like justice, mercy, and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).

In Luke 12:20, in the parable of the rich fool, God says to the man who stores up earthly wealth but is not rich toward God, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” This parable teaches about the folly of placing one’s security in wealth rather than in a relationship with God.

When Jesus uses the term “fool,” it is not an insult borne out of anger or contempt but a poignant declaration about someone’s spiritual state or decisions from His position of divine authority and ultimate wisdom. Jesus, as the Son of God, spoke with the authority to judge rightly and to reveal the hearts of men and women. His use of “fool” in these contexts is a prophetic critique of those who are spiritually lost, blind, or misguided, emphasizing the serious consequences of their attitudes or actions.

In contrast, when teaching His followers, Jesus warns against using derogatory language like “fool” in anger or contempt towards others (Matthew 5:22), as such behavior stems from an unrighteous attitude and can lead to spiritual and relational harm. The warning against calling someone a “fool” reflects the call for His followers to live out a radical love and humility that mirrors God’s character, recognizing that judgment ultimately belongs to God.

Therefore, the key difference lies in the heart and intent behind the words. Jesus’ rebukes were always aimed at bringing about a greater understanding of God’s righteousness and leading people back to God, not to belittle or demean them out of personal anger or spite.