Matthew 5:27

Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Ye have heard {G191} that {G3754} it was said {G4483} by them of old time {G744}, Thou shalt {G3431} not {G3756} commit adultery {G3431}:

"You have heard that our fathers were told, `Do not commit adultery.'m

You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’

Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Commentary

Matthew 5:27 marks a pivotal moment in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, where He addresses the traditional understanding of the Law. This verse sets the stage for His profound reinterpretation of the Seventh Commandment, moving beyond mere external obedience to encompass the heart's intentions.

Context

This verse is part of a series of "antitheses" (or contrasting statements) in Matthew 5, where Jesus quotes an Old Testament commandment and then provides His deeper, more expansive interpretation. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery" directly references the Seventh Commandment given by God to Moses (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18). For the Jewish audience of Jesus' day, this command was understood primarily as a prohibition against the physical act of infidelity within marriage.

Jesus is not abolishing the Law, but rather fulfilling it and revealing its true, spiritual intent, as He states earlier in Matthew 5:17. He challenges the prevailing legalistic interpretations that focused solely on outward actions, preparing His listeners for the radical standard of righteousness He is about to present in the subsequent verse regarding lust (Matthew 5:28).

Key Themes

  • The Authority of Jesus: Jesus presents Himself as having the authority to interpret and deepen the Law, even that given by God "of old time."
  • Beyond Outward Observance: The verse introduces the theme that true righteousness extends beyond mere avoidance of sinful acts to the purity of one's inner thoughts and desires.
  • Holiness of Marriage: By reaffirming the commandment against adultery, Jesus underscores the sacredness and sanctity of the marriage covenant, which is a foundational institution in God's design.
  • God's Concern for the Heart: This passage highlights that God looks not only at our deeds but also at the condition of our hearts, setting a higher standard for moral and spiritual conduct.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Thou shalt not commit adultery" is a straightforward translation of the Hebrew command (lo' tina'af). There isn't a complex linguistic nuance in this specific verse itself, but its significance lies in how Jesus uses it as a springboard. He takes a familiar, clear prohibition against an external act and immediately prepares to expand its scope, demonstrating that the spirit of the Law demands an inner transformation, not just outward conformity.

Practical Application

For believers today, Matthew 5:27 serves as a powerful reminder that Christian discipleship requires more than simply avoiding certain behaviors. It calls for a radical examination of our inner lives, our thoughts, and our desires. This verse encourages us to:

  • Examine Our Hearts: It prompts us to consider what thoughts and intentions we harbor, recognizing that sin can begin in the mind before it manifests in action.
  • Pursue Inner Purity: It challenges us to strive for purity not just in deed, but in thought, aligning with Jesus' teaching that the "pure in heart... shall see God".
  • Uphold Marital Faithfulness: It reinforces the biblical standard of faithfulness within marriage, emphasizing its sacred nature and protecting it from all forms of infidelity, both physical and emotional.
  • Live a Life of Integrity: Ultimately, this verse, in conjunction with what follows, calls believers to a consistent life of integrity where outward actions reflect an inward commitment to God's holy standards.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Sermon on the Mount: An Overview A Deep Dive into the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12) An Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew: Jesus the King Matthew (Levi): The Tax Collector Turned Apostle The Sermon on the Mount: The Antitheses (Matthew 5:21-48)

Cross-References

  • 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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