Matthew 5:27

Berean Standard Bible

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

King James Bible

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

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Matthew 5:27, nestled within the Sermon on the Mount, is a verse that carries profound weight, not only for its immediate ethical instruction but for the way it challenges the human heart to confront its deepest inclinations. The verse states, in the context of Jesus’ teaching, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” This simple declaration serves as the springboard for a radical redefinition of righteousness that transcends the letter of the law and pierces the realm of intention, thought, and inner disposition. To unpack this verse requires us to delve into its historical, cultural, and theological layers, while also considering its timeless relevance to the human condition.

At its surface, Jesus is referencing the seventh commandment from the Decalogue, a foundational moral code for the Jewish people and, by extension, for the Christian tradition. The prohibition against adultery was not merely a rule about physical behavior but a safeguard for the covenant of marriage, which was understood as a sacred bond reflecting God’s faithfulness to His people. In the first-century Jewish context, adultery was a serious offense, carrying social, religious, and legal consequences. It disrupted families, defiled the sanctity of the marital relationship, and, in the broader theological sense, mirrored idolatry—unfaithfulness to God. The Pharisees and teachers of the law, whom Jesus often addressed, would have upheld this commandment rigorously, emphasizing outward compliance as a marker of righteousness.

Yet, Jesus’ introduction of this commandment in Matthew 5:27 is not an affirmation of its surface-level observance but a prelude to a deeper challenge. The verse is immediately followed by His radical expansion: “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” This shift from external action to internal disposition is the crux of Jesus’ teaching here. He is not abolishing the law but fulfilling it by revealing its true depth. The law was never meant to be a checklist of behaviors but a mirror to expose the heart’s condition. By equating lustful thoughts with the act of adultery, Jesus dismantles the complacency of those who might congratulate themselves for avoiding physical sin while harboring unchecked desires.

This teaching would have been startling to Jesus’ audience. In a culture where external adherence to the law was a measure of piety, Jesus’ words cut through the façade of moral superiority. The Pharisees, who prided themselves on their meticulous observance of the Torah, would have found this interpretation unsettling. It levels the playing field, declaring that sin is not merely a matter of deeds but of the heart’s orientation. The person who refrains from physical adultery but indulges in lust is no less guilty than the one who acts on it. This is not a softening of the law but an intensification, demanding a righteousness that surpasses that of the religious elite.

Theologically, this verse underscores the holistic nature of human sinfulness. Jesus is pointing to the reality that sin originates in the heart—our desires, thoughts, and intentions—before it manifests in actions. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative, where the heart is depicted as the wellspring of life, capable of both profound good and profound corruption. The prophet Jeremiah laments that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick,” and Jesus echoes this truth by showing that external righteousness is meaningless if the inner self is consumed by sinful desires. In this sense, Matthew 5:27 is a call to self-examination, urging listeners to confront the hidden corners of their souls where sin takes root.

The choice of adultery as the example is significant. Unlike murder, which Jesus addresses just prior, adultery touches on one of the most intimate and powerful human drives: sexuality. It is an area where desire can quickly spiral into obsession, where the line between natural attraction and sinful fixation is often blurred. By focusing on lust, Jesus is not condemning sexual desire itself, which is part of God’s created order, but rather its distortion. Lust, in this context, is not mere attraction but a deliberate, willful fixation that objectifies another person, reducing them to a means of gratification. It is a form of idolatry, where the self’s desires take precedence over God’s design for human relationships.

For the modern reader, this teaching remains as relevant as ever. In a world saturated with images and messages that encourage unchecked desire, Jesus’ words challenge us to guard not only our actions but our thoughts. The accessibility of pornography, the normalization of casual objectification, and the cultural emphasis on personal fulfillment at all costs make the call to purity of heart both countercultural and urgent. Jesus’ teaching here is not about shaming natural human impulses but about redirecting them toward their proper end: love that honors God and others. It invites us to see others not as objects for our consumption but as bearers of God’s image, worthy of dignity and respect.

Moreover, this verse has implications beyond the individual. It speaks to the communal nature of sin and righteousness. Adultery, even in thought, disrupts the fabric of relationships—not just between individuals but within families and communities. It erodes trust, fosters secrecy, and undermines the mutual commitment that marriage represents. By addressing the heart, Jesus is calling for a transformation that radiates outward, fostering relationships marked by fidelity, selflessness, and genuine love.

The radical nature of this teaching also points to the impossibility of achieving this righteousness on our own. If sin is not just action but intention, then who can stand blameless? This is where the Sermon on the Mount, and Matthew 5:27 in particular, drives us to the gospel. Jesus’ standard of righteousness reveals our inadequacy and points to our need for grace. The same Jesus who exposes the heart’s sinfulness is the one who offers forgiveness and the power to change through the Holy Spirit. The call to purity of heart is not a burden to be borne in isolation but an invitation to rely on God’s transformative work.

In practical terms, this verse challenges believers to cultivate disciplines that align the heart with God’s will. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, accountability, and community are all means of guarding the heart against lustful thoughts. It also calls for a posture of humility, recognizing that no one is above temptation. The person who dismisses this teaching as irrelevant, assuming they are immune to such struggles, is precisely the one most vulnerable to falling. Jesus’ words are a sobering reminder that righteousness is not a destination we arrive at but a daily pursuit, rooted in dependence on God.

Ultimately, Matthew 5:27 is a profound reflection of Jesus’ mission to bring the kingdom of God to bear on every aspect of human life. It is a call to wholeness, where our thoughts, desires, and actions are aligned with God’s heart. It is a reminder that true righteousness is not about outward conformity but about a transformed inner life that reflects the character of Christ. In a world that often settles for superficial morality, Jesus invites us to a deeper, more costly obedience—one that begins in the hidden places of the heart and flows into every relationship, choice, and moment of our lives.

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people zealous for good works. I write to you, beloved, as one compelled by the Spirit to reflect on the words of our Savior in Matthew 5:27, where He declares, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” These words, spoken on the mount, are not mere echoes of ancient law but a divine summons to examine the depths of our hearts and to live as those transformed by the gospel of grace. Let us, together, ponder the weight of this teaching, for it is not only a command but a revelation of the righteousness that God desires—a righteousness that surpasses the scribes and Pharisees and finds its fulfillment in Christ alone.

The law, as given through Moses, was holy and just, a reflection of God’s perfect will. The prohibition against adultery guarded the sacred covenant of marriage, that earthly sign of God’s unbreakable faithfulness to His people. In the days of old, the teachers of the law held this command as a boundary for outward behavior, and many prided themselves in their restraint, believing that by avoiding the act, they had fulfilled the law’s demand. Yet our Lord, in His infinite wisdom, pierces through such shallow obedience. He does not abolish the law but unveils its true intent, declaring that the sin of adultery begins not in the act but in the heart, where lustful intent takes root. To look upon another with such desire is to commit adultery in the secret chambers of the soul, a transgression as real as any physical violation.

Oh, beloved, how this truth humbles us! The heart is a battlefield, where desires wage war against the Spirit’s sanctifying work. We are not merely called to govern our actions but to surrender our innermost thoughts to the transforming power of Christ. The apostle James reminds us that desire, when it conceives, gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, brings forth death. So it is with lust, which begins as a fleeting thought but, if unchecked, becomes a tyrant that enslaves the soul. Our Lord’s words in this verse are not a new law to burden us but a mirror to reveal our need for His grace. For who among us can claim a heart so pure that it has never wandered into forbidden desires? Who can stand before the holiness of God and declare themselves blameless in thought as well as deed?

Yet do not despair, dear saints, for the One who exposes the heart’s sin is the same One who bore its penalty on the cross. The gospel declares that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom we are all chief. His righteousness, imputed to us by faith, covers our guilt, and His Spirit, dwelling within us, empowers us to walk in newness of life. The call to purity of heart is not a demand we meet in our own strength but a promise fulfilled through the indwelling presence of God. For just as the law reveals our sin, the gospel reveals our Savior, who not only forgives but transforms, making us partakers of the divine nature.

In this present age, the challenge of Matthew 5:27 is more pressing than ever. The world around us bombards the senses with images and messages that inflame desire, tempting us to view others as objects for our gratification rather than as bearers of God’s image. The digital age, with its endless streams of temptation, lures us to indulge in secret what we would never confess in public. Yet the Lord sees what is done in secret, and His call remains: to be holy as He is holy. This is not a call to shame or repression but to freedom—the freedom to love rightly, to honor others, and to find our deepest satisfaction in God alone. For lust is not merely a sin of excess but a distortion of God’s good gift of desire, which was meant to draw us into covenant love, not selfish consumption.

What, then, shall we do, beloved? First, let us fix our eyes on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. Meditate on His word, for it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Let the Scriptures renew your mind, that you may discern what is good and acceptable and perfect. Pray without ceasing, for in communion with God, the heart finds its true anchor. Confess your struggles to one another, as the body of Christ is meant to bear one another’s burdens. There is no shame in admitting weakness, for in our weakness, His strength is made perfect. Seek accountability, not as a legalistic rule but as a safeguard of love, that you may spur one another on toward godliness.

Moreover, let us reframe how we see our brothers and sisters. To look with lust is to reduce a person to a means of gratification, but to look with love is to honor them as God’s creation, destined for eternal glory. Train your heart to see others as Christ sees them—worthy of dignity, called to holiness, and redeemed by His blood. This is no easy task, for the flesh wars against the Spirit, but the victory is already won in Christ. When temptation arises, flee to Him who is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear but will provide a way of escape.

Let us also consider the communal impact of this teaching. The sin of lust, even when hidden, ripples outward, eroding trust and fracturing relationships. It undermines the sacred bond of marriage, which is a picture of Christ’s love for His church. As members of one body, we are called to uphold one another in purity, not only for our own sake but for the sake of the community. Husbands, love your wives as Christ loves the church, guarding your heart that you may be faithful in thought and deed. Wives, honor your husbands, fostering a love that reflects the mutual submission of the gospel. Singles, pursue purity as an act of worship, trusting that God’s design for your life is good, whether in singleness or in future marriage.

Finally, let us rejoice in the hope of the gospel. The righteousness demanded in Matthew 5:27 is not a yoke too heavy to bear, for Christ Himself carries it for us. He who fulfilled the law invites us to abide in Him, that His life may flow through us. When we stumble, His grace is sufficient. When we fall, His hand lifts us up. The call to purity of heart is not the end but the beginning of a life transformed by love—a love that begins with God and overflows to others. So let us press on, beloved, not in our own strength but in the power of the Spirit, to live as those who belong to Christ, to the glory of God the Father.

May the Lord Himself guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, keeping you steadfast in His love until the day of His return. Amen.

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O God Most Holy, Creator of all things, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose righteousness shines as the noonday sun and whose mercy flows like a river of grace, we come before Your throne with humble hearts, seeking Your face in light of Your Son’s words in Matthew 5:27, where He declares, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’” Your law, O Lord, is perfect, reviving the soul, and Your commandments are pure, enlightening the eyes. Yet in these words, Your Son unveils the depth of Your holy standard, revealing that sin begins not in deeds alone but in the hidden chambers of the heart. We stand convicted, O God, for who among us can claim a heart untainted by wayward desires? Who can say their thoughts have always been pure, their intentions wholly aligned with Your will? We confess our need for You, our Savior, our Sanctifier, our only hope.

You, O Lord, are the searcher of hearts, the One who sees what is done in secret, who knows the thoughts and intents of every soul. Your Son’s teaching pierces us, for He calls us not merely to outward obedience but to a righteousness that transforms the inner self. The law against adultery, given through Moses, was a gift to guard the covenant of marriage, that sacred bond reflecting Your steadfast love for Your people. Yet Jesus, the fulfillment of the law, reveals that even a lustful glance is a betrayal of that covenant, a turning of the heart from Your design. Forgive us, O God, for the times we have allowed our desires to wander, for the moments we have indulged thoughts that dishonor You and diminish those You have called us to love. Cleanse us, we pray, from every secret fault, and purify our hearts by the washing of Your Word.

We thank You, merciful Father, that Your Son did not come to condemn but to save, that He bore the weight of our sin upon the cross, that His blood speaks a better word than the accusations of our guilt. In Him, we find forgiveness, not because of our merit but because of Your boundless grace. Grant us, O Lord, the grace to rest in this forgiveness, to know that no sin is too great for Your mercy to cover, no heart too wayward for Your Spirit to renew. Yet we pray not only for pardon but for transformation. By Your Holy Spirit, work within us to conform our desires to Your will, to align our thoughts with Your truth, to make us a people who reflect the purity and love of Christ in all we do.

In this age, O God, temptation surrounds us like a flood. The world entices us with images and ideas that inflame the flesh, tempting us to reduce Your image-bearers to objects of selfish desire. Guard us, we pray, from the snares of lust that seek to enslave us. Teach us to see others as You see them—precious, redeemed, called to glory. Help us to honor the sacredness of marriage, to cherish the bonds of covenant love, and to walk in purity whether married or single, knowing that our bodies are temples of Your Holy Spirit. Give us strength to flee temptation, wisdom to guard our eyes and minds, and humility to seek accountability from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us be a community that upholds one another, bearing each other’s burdens, and spurring one another on toward love and good deeds.

O Lord, we lift up those among us who struggle in silence, who feel the weight of temptation and the sting of shame. Let them know Your nearness, Your compassion, Your power to deliver. Surround them with Your church, a family of grace where confession is met with love and weakness with strength. For those who have fallen, restore them, O God, as You restored David after his sin, that they may sing of Your mercy and walk in Your truth. For those who stand, keep them vigilant, for none are immune to the deceitfulness of the heart. And for all of us, kindle within us a deeper love for You, that our desires may find their true fulfillment in Your presence, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.

We pray, too, for a world that has lost sight of Your design for love and intimacy. Use Your church, O God, as a beacon of Your truth, a living testament to the beauty of holiness. May our lives reflect the self-giving love of Christ, who loved us and gave Himself for us. Let our marriages shine as pictures of Your covenant with Your people, and let our singleness proclaim the sufficiency of Your grace. In all things, may we glorify You, walking in the freedom of those who are no longer slaves to sin but alive to righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord.

O God, You who are faithful when we are faithless, You who are holy yet merciful, hear our prayer. Transform our hearts by the renewing of our minds, that we may offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to You. Keep us steadfast until the day of Christ’s return, when every heart will be laid bare, and every knee will bow before Him who is the Alpha and Omega, the Lamb slain, the King of glory. To You, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be all honor, praise, and dominion, now and forever. Amen.