The fourth category of those outside the gates of the eternal city is murderers, which seems like an obvious
group to exclude (Rev. 22:15). But is it really that clear who is a murderer? Three Greek words are relevant. The word
pertaining to those who murder [5406], as in this text and Revelation 21:8, is found 7 times in the New Testament. The
term, besides the general references, refers to those who murdered the king’s servants (Matt. 22:7), those who murdered
the Lord (Acts 3:14; 7:52), and to Paul (Acts 28:4). Peter admonishes Christians not to suffer as a murderer.
The verb form [5407] is found 12 times and consists basically of admonitions not to kill. Three verses name
those specifically murdered: the prophets (Matt 23:31), Zachariah, the son of Berechiah (Matt. 23:35); and the just
(James 5:6). The third Greek word [5408], appearing 10 times in the New Testament, is translated murder (s). Many of
these are general usages, also, but three refer specifically to Barabbas, who committed murder in the insurrection
(Mark 15:7; Luke 23:19, 25). At one point, Saul of Tarsus was breathing out murder (slaughter, KJV) against the church
(Acts 9:1). The faithful had been slain (murdered) with the sword (Heb. 11:37). The last reference describes those in
Revelation who refused to repent after the plagues. They continued to worship demons and idols and likewise would
not repent of their murders, sorceries, sexual immorality, or thefts (Rev. 9:20-21).
Most people recognize murder as depriving someone of his life without due process of law—one of the most
flagrant cases of which occurred in Minnesota just last month (May, 2020). (Many think that First Degree Murder is the
appropriate charge—rather than Second.) For some reason, however, the Canaanites (and later Israel) never seemed
to conclude that offering children as a sacrifice would be murder, but it is. They are defenseless and unworthy of death,
having committed no crime. Abortion is murder by this same logic. No one can successfully debate that a child is not
alive in the womb.
Character assassination is metaphorical murder. One of the haunting replies that Clarence Thomas uttered in
the Senate hearing after being confronted by and repudiating totally Anita Hill’s testimony was: “The person you knew,
whether you voted for me or against me, died.” These words were in response to how the confirmation process had
affected him. The intent was not to murder him physically, but the goal was to deprive an innocent person of his most
valuable commodity—his reputation, thus destroying his livelihood. This kind of action is motivated by hatred, which
Jesus cautioned against (Matt. 5:21-22)—because this intense kind of anger may push someone over the line to commit
a literal murder. We can all find things to be enraged about; we need self-control and a conciliatory attitude.