Matthew 5:27

Adultery

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^[a]

Matthew 5:27 in Other Translations

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

27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'

27 “You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’

27 "You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't go to bed with another's spouse.'

27 "You have heard that it was said, Do not commit adultery.

Matthew 5:27 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 5:27

Ye have heard that it was said
These forms of speech, as well as what follows,

by them of old time,
have been explained, in ver. 21. The law here mentioned,

thou shalt not commit adultery,
is recorded in ( Exodus 20:14 ) and the meaning of our Lord is, not that the then present Jews had heard that such a law had been delivered "to the ancients", their fathers, at Mount Sinai; for that they could read in their Bibles: but they had received it by tradition, that the sense of it, which had been given to their ancestors, by the ancient doctors of the church, was, that this law is to be taken strictly, as it lies, and only regards the sin of uncleanness in married persons; or, what was strictly adultery, and that actual; so that it had no respect to fornication, or unchaste thoughts, words, or actions, but that single act only.

Matthew 5:27 In-Context

25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’

28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18

Footnotes

• [a]. Exodus 20:14