Reference

Matthew 5:22

But 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.
20

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22

But 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.

23

Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24

Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

Why This Verse Was Tagged

Fire Imagery
Keyword Match
100% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Hell Terminology (Sheol/Hades/Gehenna/Lake of Fire)
Keyword Match
90% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Sheol / The Grave
Keyword Match
60% relevance

This verse contains specific terms directly associated with this theme.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Fire Imagery

The verse explicitly mentions "hell fire" as a consequence of certain actions, directly aligning with the theme's definition of using "fire" in a "judgment or punishment context."

Hell Terminology (Sheol/Hades/Gehenna/Lake of Fire)

The verse uses "hell fire" (Gehenna) as a specific place of punishment, which aligns with the theme's definition of "hell" in a judgment context distinct from Sheol/Hades as a general grave. However, the verse also discusses different levels of judgment, suggesting a nuanced understanding of punishment that might not solely focus on a single, undifferentiated "hell."

Sheol / The Grave

The verse speaks of "judgment," "council," and "hell fire" as consequences for specific actions, none of which are explicitly defined as "Sheol," "the grave," "the pit," or "the dust" as the destination or state of the dead. The term "hell fire" refers to a place of punishment, not necessarily the general state of the dead or the grave.