King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Complete Jewish Bible:
"You have heard that our fathers were told, `Do not commit adultery.'m
Berean Standard Bible:
You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’
American Standard Version:
Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Ye have heard{G191} that{G3754} it was said{G4483} by them of old time{G744}, Thou shalt{G3431} not{G3756} commit adultery{G3431}:
Cross-References (KJV):
Deuteronomy 5:18
- Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Proverbs 6:32
- [But] whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he [that] doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
Deuteronomy 22:22
- If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, [both] the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.
Deuteronomy 22:24
- Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, [being] in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.
Leviticus 20:10
- ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.
Matthew 5:21
- ¶ 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:
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Commentary for Matthew 5:27
Matthew 5:27 is part of the Sermon on the Mount, a significant discourse delivered by Jesus Christ, which is recorded in the Gospel of Matthew chapters 5-7. This verse falls within the section where Jesus is expanding on the moral law, specifically the Ten Commandments, which were central to Jewish religious and ethical life.
The historical context of this verse is rooted in the Jewish tradition, where the commandment "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14) was one of the key directives given by God to Moses. In the time of Jesus, the interpretation of this commandment was often external and literal, focusing on the physical act of adultery.
In Matthew 5:27, Jesus begins to challenge the superficial understanding of the law by addressing the heart and intentions behind actions, not just the actions themselves. He emphasizes that the commandment against adultery extends beyond the physical act to include lustful desires. By saying, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time," Jesus is referring to the traditional teaching and understanding of the law. He is setting the stage to deepen the moral requirement, moving the focus from mere behavior to the inner purity of thought and motive.
The themes presented in this verse include the importance of internal holiness, the call to a higher ethical standard, and the idea that sin begins in the heart and mind. Jesus is redefining sin and righteousness, teaching that external conformity to the law is insufficient; true righteousness requires a pure heart. This teaching would have been revolutionary for Jesus' listeners, as it challenged them to confront their inner lives and not just their outward actions. It reflects Jesus' mission to fulfill the law and to call His followers to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G191
There are 448 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀκούω
Transliteration: akoúō
Pronunciation: ak-oo'-o
Description: a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand. - Strong's Number: G3754
There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὅτι
Transliteration: hóti
Pronunciation: hot'-ee
Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why. - Strong's Number: G4483
There are 26 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ῥέω
Transliteration: rhéō
Pronunciation: er-eh'-o
Description: ἔπωperhaps akin (or identical) with ῥέω (through the idea of pouring forth); to utter, i.e. speak or say:--command, make, say, speak (of). Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G744
There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἀρχαῖος
Transliteration: archaîos
Pronunciation: ar-khah'-yos
Description: from ἀρχή; original or primeval:--(them of) old (time). - Strong's Number: G3431
There are 11 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: μοιχεύω
Transliteration: moicheúō
Pronunciation: moy-khyoo'-o
Description: from μοιχός; to commit adultery:--commit adultery. - Strong's Number: G3756
There are 1328 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: οὐ
Transliteration: ou
Pronunciation: ookh
Description: a primary word; the absolute negative (compare μή) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also οὐ μή, μῆκος.