Matthew 19:18

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

He saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Which {G4169}?{G1161} Jesus {G2424} said {G2036}, Thou shalt do {G5407} no {G3756} murder {G5407}, Thou shalt {G3431} not {G3756} commit adultery {G3431}, Thou shalt {G2813} not {G3756} steal {G2813}, Thou shalt {G5576} not {G3756} bear false witness {G5576},

The man asked him, "Which ones?" and Yeshua said, "Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't give false testimony

“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,

He saith unto him, Which? And Jesus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Commentary

Context of Matthew 19:18

This verse is part of a pivotal conversation between Jesus and a wealthy young man, often referred to as the Rich Young Ruler. The young man approaches Jesus asking what good thing he must do to obtain eternal life. Jesus initially tells him to keep the commandments. When the ruler asks, "Which?", Jesus begins to list several specific prohibitions from the Decalogue, also known as the Ten Commandments, which were central to the Mosaic Law given to Israel. Jesus' selection of these particular commandments sets the stage for a deeper revelation about the nature of true righteousness and commitment to God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Law's Role: Jesus' response highlights the moral obligations outlined in the Old Testament Law. He doesn't dismiss the Law but uses it to expose the heart's true condition. The commandments listed—"Thou shalt do no murder," "Thou shalt not commit adultery," "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not bear false witness"—primarily deal with one's ethical responsibilities towards fellow human beings. These are fundamental for a just society.
  • Human Righteousness vs. Divine Standard: The young man believed he had kept these commandments, reflecting a common understanding of righteousness in his time. However, Jesus' subsequent instruction (in Matthew 19:21) reveals that true righteousness and eternal life require more than outward obedience; they demand a radical, inward commitment and a willingness to surrender everything for the Kingdom of God.
  • Love for Neighbor: The commandments Jesus cites are fundamentally about loving one's neighbor and maintaining societal order and justice. These are foundational principles for a just and godly community, echoing the second great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

Linguistic Insights

The prohibitions listed by Jesus are direct quotes from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) versions of the Ten Commandments. The Greek terms reflect the clear, unequivocal nature of these moral injunctions found in Exodus 20:13-16 and Deuteronomy 5:17-20. There is no ambiguity in the commands "Thou shalt do no murder" (οὐ φονεύσεις - ou phoneuseis), "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (οὐ μοιχεύσεις - ou moicheuseis), "Thou shalt not steal" (οὐ κλέψεις - ou klepseis), or "Thou shalt not bear false witness" (οὐ ψευδομαρτυρήσεις - ou pseudomartyreseis). These are absolute prohibitions against actions that harm others and break community trust.

Practical Application

Matthew 19:18 reminds us that while salvation is by grace through faith, God's moral law remains relevant. These commandments serve as a mirror, revealing not only what God expects but also our inability to perfectly fulfill His righteous standard without divine help. For believers today, these timeless principles continue to guide ethical conduct and remind us of the importance of integrity, respect for life, faithfulness in relationships, and honesty in our dealings with others. They call us to a life that honors God by loving our neighbor, recognizing that true obedience flows from a heart transformed by Christ, not merely from outward adherence to rules.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 5:16 (4 votes)

    Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

  • Deuteronomy 5:21 (4 votes)

    Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.

  • Mark 10:19 (3 votes)

    Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

  • James 2:10 (3 votes)

    For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one [point], he is guilty of all.

  • James 2:11 (3 votes)

    For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

  • Galatians 3:10 (3 votes)

    For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed [is] every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

  • Exodus 20:12 (3 votes)

    ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.