Question: How does calling someone an "idiot" make one bound for Gehenna? I'm sure there is something of translation, meaning, or ancient culture to be considered here.

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> ...and whoever says, You cursed fool! [You empty-headed **idiot**!] shall
>  be liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire.
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> [Matthew 5:22 (Amplified Bible)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+5:22&version=AMP)
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* Is this a point lost in translation?
* What point was Jesus making when he said this?

Answer: 
It's not so much something lost in translation, though there may be some cultural factors coming into play. Jews considered the Words of the ten commandments to be minimum requirements, and beginning with Matthew 5:21, Jesus expounds on some the commandments pertaining to the relationship to other other people. The essence of the teaching in Matthew 5:21 ff is that the actual commandment not to murder is insufficient. Not only is murdering another a violation of the commandment, but even to insult another person violates the spirit of it. He then similarly expounds on others of the commandments, for example, not only is it a sin to commit adultery, but it is a sin to think about committing adultery. After making similar comments on other commandments, Jesus summarizes his points in Matthew 5:48--"You, therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." (RSV)

To go back to the original question, merely not committing murder is imperfect, as it is the minimum required. Not insulting another person, as in calling them a fool, is perfection.
The root of this teaching is to show us more about murder. Specifically murder that spawns from arguments and the ruthlessness of the people. There is a reason that Gehenna was translated as Hell. But for the purposes of Today's English Language. If we where to directly translate the concept would have better to translate the word as Crematory. So he starts with a teaching about people getting angry. And the dangers of casting judgment against others. The term raca was a derogatory expression meaning “air head,” insinuating a person’s stupidity or inferiority.

**Translated just for you**

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> I but say to you that everyone being angry with his brother will be liable to the judgement, and whoever shall anyhow say to his brother "Air Head" will be liable to the Sanhedrin, and whoever shall anyhow say "Fool" will be liable to the fires of the Crematory.
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For the result of the offense can mean death. So he suggests that we do not offend.

**Matthew 18:7 NKJV**

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> Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes!
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To the crowd that Jesus was speaking to, this would have been obvious that the result of the offending statement of "Fool" was a risk for death. In the case of Gehenna a death that leaves you burning on a pile of garbage.