Are there times when a Christian has the right to get angry, to display “righteous anger” regarding a situation or event?
“Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves” (Matthew 21:12).
“On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not all anyone carrying merchandise through the temple court” (Mark 11:15-16).
“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts He found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So He made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves, He said, ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn My Father’s house into a market’.” (John 2:13-16).
The above are the accounts of Jesus clearing the temple area. (Luke’s account is very short, simply stating that Jesus went into the area and began driving out those who were selling—Luke 19:45). It is not unusual to hear someone refer to Jesus’ righteous anger as He cleared the temple area, and, by extension, use it to justify their own “righteous anger.”
Look again at all three passages (Luke’s, too, if you wish). One thing is missing from all three—the mention of Jesus getting angry. There is no record, no indication that He was mad when He cleared the temple. There really isn’t an indication that He was a little miffed.
“But look at what He did—overturned tables, scattered coins, drove out cattle and sheep. Surely, those are the actions of an angry person.” Are they? Couldn’t those actions be interpreted as one who was determined to make His point, as actions of a person committed to the task? What better way to get people’s attention than to make some noise, make a dramatic gesture?
What Is Anger?
In order for us to determine whether or not Christians should get angry, we first have to come to an agreement of what anger really is, and to determine whether there really is such a thing as righteous anger.
The online Oxford English Dictionary defines anger in its noun form as, “A strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility.” I believe the definition is somewhat incomplete since it only describes the result of anger. I believe anger is something that almost always comes upon us unexpectedly and quickly, without planning on our part. I see anger as a “spur of the moment” thing that usually rises quickly and dissipates once the cause of the anger is gone. We see that in the way we describe anger. We blow our top, fly into a rage, lose it, fly off the handle, explode. Anger is a spontaneous response to something or someone.
If anger is an unexpected explosion, then it is doubtful that Jesus got angry. In fact, there is only one time in the Bible that speaks of Jesus getting angry. Jesus has gone to a synagogue where He encounters a man with a shriveled hand. It happens to be the Sabbath. Some of those seeking to accuse Jesus of something were there. Jesus asks them, “Which is lawful, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” (Mark 3:4). Jesus’ question is met with absolute silence. The next verse says, “Jesus looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts” (v. 5). Instead of lashing out in anger, though, Jesus simply tells the man to extend his hand, and Jesus heals him.
When we look at Jesus’ ministry, we see Someone who was very much in touch with the Father. Throughout the book of John, Jesus refers to speaking what the Father tells Him to speak. In John 12:49, Jesus says, “For I did not speak of my own accord, but the Father who sent Me commanded what to say and how to say it.” By extension, it is only reasonable to say that Jesus only acted on things the Father told Him to do and how to do it. I don’t believe Jesus, who had traveled to the temple area His entire life at least once a year, was suddenly taken by surprise when He saw the merchants and abuse of the temple area. I believe He went with a deliberateness that told Him that was the day to clear the temple, to make the statement and to confront the religious leaders about the matter.
What Does the New Testament Say about Anger?
To get a better understanding of whether Christians may be angry at times, we need to look at Jesus’ teaching on the matter as well as the other New Testament writers.
Jesus’ words on anger are found in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22a). There really is little doubt that Jesus equates anger with murder. Throughout this part of the Sermon, Jesus indicates that the motive behind our actions are more important than the acts themselves. In other words, the outward smile and kind words are subjected to the angry heart and dismissive attitude masked behind the appearance of acceptance and kindness.
Other New Testament writers are equally against anger being a part of the Christian experience. Paul writes that love is “not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:5) and that “in your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Ephesians 4:26). While Paul acknowledges that we may become angry, it is not to control us, but the other way around.
James writes, “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1:19-20). Here the message is clear that our anger is in direct conflict with God’s plans/desires for us.
Is There Such a Thing as Righteous Anger?
The term “righteous anger” is not found in the Bible. The Bible does speak of God dealing in anger with people, but that anger is rarely seen and generally comes at the end of a long string of persistent rebellion against God by His people or by a people God has proclaimed are ripe for justice. But that anger is God’s; the judgment is His as well.
Generally, when people refer to righteous anger, they have in mind a social wrong that has been or is being done. Genocide, abusive behavior directed at the weak, hungry and such seem to bring us to “righteous anger.” The anger Jesus expressed in Mark 3 is perhaps the closest example we have of righteous anger, and seeing how Jesus responded provides us an idea of how we should respond.
Jesus was in a synagogue and the man with the shriveled hand was there, as were those seeking to accuse Jesus. Jesus had the man stand up and asked, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” Jesus never received an answer.
Verse 5 seems to indicate Jesus’ anger is directed at the stubborn hearts of the would-be accusers. Rather than lash out at the accusers, though, Jesus simply healed the shriveled hand, knowing His accusers would use this violation of the Sabbath as a basis to doom Jesus.
So, if we are to accept that righteous anger can exist, here’s what we get from the only display of Jesus’ anger in the Bible. First, the anger is directed at a wrong attitude—in this case, the stubborn hearts of the religious leaders. Second, the anger responds by correcting a wrong regardless of the circumstances. Third, no angry words are needed, no accusations are required, no “holier-than-thou” haughtiness is to be a part of the righteous anger.
Conclusion
Christians get angry. It’s just a part of living in our world. When we become angry, we need to resolve the anger quickly and in a Christ-like manner. Jesus says when we are wronged, we are to go to the person who wrongs us and try to resolve the issue amicably (cf. Matthew 17:15-20). Anger is never justified, and most examples of “righteous anger” are really not all that righteous to begin with. Our call is to live at peace with one another, reconciling the world to Christ, loving has He loved and loves us still.
© 2017 Glynn Beaty