Practical Forms of Murder in the Heart According to Scripture
The concept of "murder in the heart" extends the prohibition against physical killing to internal attitudes and intentions, as articulated by Jesus in the New Testament [1]. While the Mosaic Law explicitly forbids murder (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17) [2, 6, 7], Jesus' teaching in Matthew 15:19 broadens this understanding, stating that "from the heart come evil plans, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, abusive speech" [1]. This indicates that the internal disposition is the root of outward sinful actions [5].
The Hebrew word for "murder" in the Old Testament refers specifically to intentional killing for personal reasons, distinguishing it from other forms of taking human life, such as in war or capital punishment [6, 7]. The principle behind this prohibition is God's valuation of individual human life, created in His likeness (Genesis 9:5-6) [3]. Premeditated homicide was invariably met with capital punishment under Mosaic law [3].
However, Jesus' teaching emphasizes that the heart is the source of all evil, including murderous intent [1, 5, 10]. The "evil thoughts" or "evil reasonings" that proceed from the heart are the initial stirrings of corrupt actions [5]. This aligns with the Old Testament understanding that the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will, and that true repentance involves an inward change of orientation, priorities, and attitudes [8].
Practical forms of "murder in the heart" therefore include:
- Hatred and Enmity: Conceiving enmity in one's heart against another and forming a scheme to take their life, even if not acted upon, constitutes murder in the heart [9]. The Old Testament also describes murder as originating from hatred (Numbers 35:20-21; Deuteronomy 19:11) [2].
- Evil Plans and Reasonings: The initial "considerations" or "reasonings" about suggested actions that are evil are the first step towards outward sin [5]. These "evil plans" are explicitly listed by Jesus as originating from the heart [1].
- Lack of Consideration for God's Judgment: The prophet Hosea speaks of those who "consider not in their hearts" that God remembers and will punish their doings [4]. This lack of internal reflection on divine judgment can lead to a disregard for God's commands, including those against murder.
The biblical understanding is that the internal state of the heart is paramount, as it is the wellspring of all human actions, whether good or evil [1, 10].
Sources
- Matthew “Matthew 15:19 (LEB) — For from the heart come evil plans, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, abusive speech.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Murder — Forbidden by Mosaic law -- Ex 20:13; De 5:17. Why forbidden by God -- Ge 9:6. The law made to restrain -- 1Ti 1:9. Described as killing With premeditation. -- Ex 21:14. From hatred. -- Nu 35:20,21; De 19:11. By lying in wait. -- Nu 35:20; De 19:11. By an instrument of iron. -- Nu 35:16. By the blow of a stone. -- Nu 35:17. By a hand weapon of wood. -- Nu 35:18. Killing a thief in the day, counted as -- Ex 22:3. Early introduction of -- Ge 4:8. Represented as a sin crying to heaven -- Ge 4:10; Heb 12:24; Re 6:10. The Jews often guilty of -- Isa 1:21. Persons ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Murder — Wilful murder was distinguished from accidental homicide, and was invariably visited with capital punishment (Num. 35:16, 18, 21, 31; Lev. 24:17). This law in its principle is founded on the fact of man's having been made in the likeness of God (Gen. 9:5, 6; John 8:44; 1 John 3:12, 15). The Mosiac law prohibited any compensation for murder or the reprieve of the murderer (Ex. 21:12, 14; Deut. 19:11, 13; 2 Sam. 17:25; 20:10). Two witnesses were required in any capital case (Num. 35:19-30; Deut. 17:6-12). If the murderer could not be discovered, the city neare”
- Hosea (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hosea 7:2: consider not in their hearts--literally "say not to," &c. (Psa 14:1). that I remember--and will punish. their own doings have beset them about--as so many witnesses against them (Psa 9:16; Pro 5:22). before my face-- (Psa 90:8).”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 15:19: For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts--"evil reasonings"; referring here more immediately to those corrupt reasonings which had stealthily introduced and gradually reared up that hideous fabric of tradition which at length practically nullified the unchangeable principles of the moral law. But the statement is far broader than this; namely that the first shape which the evil that is in the heart takes, when it begins actively to stir, is that of "considerations" or "reasonings" on certain suggested actions. murders, adulteries, fornications, t”
- Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 20:13: 20:13 murder: This is the correct rendering of the Hebrew word. There is another word that connotes mere killing. Taking human life is not prohibited, per se, but the intentional killing of another for personal reasons is prohibited. This principle tells us that God values our individual, physical lives. Jesus expanded on this command in Matt 5:21-26.”
- Deuteronomy (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Deuteronomy 5:17: 5:17 murder: The Hebrew word can mean either “kill” or “murder.” Killing was permitted in war and as punishment in capital cases, so here it must refer to premeditated homicide. See Jesus’ comments in Matt 5:21-22.”
- Joel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joel 2:13: 2:13 One means of showing grief in the ancient world was to tear one’s clothing (Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; 2 Kgs 19:1). • tear your hearts: In Hebrew, the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will. God’s people were to go beyond external demonstrations of repentance to repent inwardly—to change their orientation, priorities, and attitudes. This could only happen if they would return to the Lord. • for he is merciful and compassionate . . . and filled with unfailing love: The people’s only hope was in the merciful character of the Lord (see also Exod 34:6-7; Num 1”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 19:10: But if any man hate his neighbour,.... Has conceived enmity in his heart against him, bears him a mortal hatred, and has formed a scheme in his mind to take away his life: and lie in wait for him knowing and expecting he will come by in such a way at such a time: and rise up against him; out of the place where he lay in wait, just at the time he is passing by: and smite him mortally that he die; or smite him in soul or life (z); in such a part where life is in danger, and the consequence of it is that he dies: and fleeth into one of these cities; for s”
- Mark (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Mark 7:20: For from within, out of the heart of man,.... The inside of man is very bad, his inward part is not only wicked, but wickedness itself, yea, very wickedness, Psa 5:9, in him dwells no good thing naturally, his heart is wicked, and desperately so; it is full of evil; and out of the abundance of it, proceed the evil things hereafter mentioned; all its powers and faculties are vitiated, there is no place clean; the understanding and judgment are dreadfully corrupted; the mind and conscience are defiled; the affections are inordinate; not only the thought, but every imagina”