King James Bible
"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:"
Jesus introduces his teaching by referencing oral tradition and rabbinic interpretation of the Law. This formula signals he will now expand beyond the traditional understanding, establishing his authority to interpret Scripture's deeper intent. The sixth commandment from Exodus 20:13 prohibits murder. In Jewish law, this command focused on the external act of unlawfully taking human life, which was foundational to societal order. This reflects the established legal consequence where murderers faced trial before local courts (Deuteronomy 16:18). Jesus sets up the traditional interpretation before revealing how anger itself violates the commandment's spirit.