Raca

Raca is a scornful word, and comes from pride, "Thou empty fellow;" it is the language of that which Solomon calls proud wrath (Prov. xxi.

Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume V (Matthew to John) 1721

The words translated vain man -- anthrope kene, are observed to have the same signification with the word Raca, which must never be used to private persons, or as an effect of anger (Matt.v. 22), but may be used as here, to denote a just detestation of such a sort of men as are empty of good works, and yet boasters of their faith.

Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721

I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, "Raca," shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, "Thou fool," shall be in danger of hell fire.

Types of Children's Literature Walter Barnes

One is when a man manifests his anger in his manner of speech, as stated above (A. 5, ad 3) of the man who says to his brother, "Raca": and this refers to "clamor," which denotes disorderly and confused speech.

Summa Theologica, Part II-II (Secunda Secundae) Translated by Fathers of the English Dominican Province Aquinas Thomas

To maliciously use an offensive epithet such as "Raca" laid one liable to punishment under the decree of the council, and to call another a fool placed one "in danger of hell fire."

Jesus the Christ A Study of the Messiah and His Mission According to Holy Scriptures Both Ancient and Modern James Edward Talmage 1897

What precise degrees of unholy feeling towards our brothers are indicated by the words "Raca" and "fool" it would be as useless as it is vain to inquire.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible 1871

The first (Matt.v. 21-26), that man should not only do no murder, but not even be angry with his brother, should not consider any one worthless: "Raca," and if he has quarrelled with any one he should make it up with him before bringing his gift to

Voskresenie. English Leo Tolstoy 1869

Some seek the interpretation of this word in the Greek, and think that "Raca" means ragged, from the Greek rhachos,

Catena Aurea - Gospel of Matthew 1225?-1274 1842

Moreover, this impious opinion of theirs with respect to actions -- namely, that it is incumbent on them to have experience of all kinds of deeds, even the most abominable -- is refuted by the teaching of the Lord, with whom not only is the adulterer rejected, but also the man who desires to commit adultery; [3266] and not only is the actual murderer held guilty of having killed another to his own damnation, but the man also who is angry with his brother without a cause: who commanded [His disciples] not only not to hate men, but also to love their enemies; and enjoined them not only not to swear falsely, but not even to swear at all; and not only not to speak evil of their neighbours, but not even to style any one "Raca" and "fool;"

ANF01. The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus 1819-1893 2001

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever shall say to his brother, "Raca", shall be guilty before the supreme court and whoever shall say, "You fool", shall be guilty enough to go into fiery hell."

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