<P> Davies and Allison note that the references to brothers is probably an allusion to the story of Cain and Abel . Nolland notes that the word usually translated as brother is gender neutral in the original Greek, and is more accurately translated as "brother or sister ." Harrington notes that brother does not literally refer to sibling, or even to just the small group of followers or disciples . Rather he states that the verse should be read as referring to all Israelites or all human beings . France disagrees, feeling that in this particular verse Jesus is referring only to the group of disciples . </P> <P> Early manuscripts are divided between whether this verse should read "whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment" or "whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment ." The two versions are significantly different in implication and most modern scholars feel that "without a cause" was a later addition by a copyist trying to make the statement less radical . </P> <P> The word Raca is original to the Greek manuscript; however, it is not a Greek word . The most common view is that it is a reference to the Aramaic word reka, which literally means "empty one", but probably meant "empty headed," or "foolish ." Scholars seem divided on how grievous an insult it was . Hill feels it was very, France thinks it was a minor slur . The word translated as fool is the Greek moros, which has a similar meaning to the Aramaic reka . However moros also was used to mean godless, and thus could be much more severe a term than reka . It is very similar to the Greek word for apostate, and Albright and Mann feel that this word was originally intended, but the current version is a typo . Read Ref.; The reading of godless can explain why the punishment is more severe . Jesus uses the term himself in Bibleref Matthew 23: 17; (sticking the tribute were?) Nomenclature; when he is deriding the Pharisees . </P> <P> This verse has also recently become part of the debate over the New Testament view of homosexuality . Some scholars have argued that raca can mean effeminate, and was a term of abuse for homosexuals . Similarly moros can also refer to a homosexual aggressor; as Bibleref Gen 19.4 - 6 . From Semitic cognates Warren Johansson argued that the word was an Aramaic pejorative, similar to the English words faggot or fairy . By these interpretations Jesus could be specifically condemning homophobia . Most scholars reject this view, considering it more likely that the terms were meant as general insults, rather than specific attacks on homosexuals . See also the Bible and homosexuality . </P>

What does raca mean in matthew 5 22
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