Matthew 5:27 Meaning and Explanation
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Jesus names the command against adultery and is about to follow it inward, to the look and the desire that come before the act.
The Context of Matthew 5:27
Still on the mountainside, Jesus opens another of His contrasts with 'Ye have heard.' Having addressed anger beneath murder, He now turns to faithfulness, quoting a command His hearers all knew by heart before He reaches behind it in the next verse.
What Does Matthew 5:27 Mean?
Jesus quotes another of the ten commandments, words handed down 'by them of old time': 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.' It guards the bond between husband and wife, one of the deepest trusts two people share. A married listener might hear this and feel settled, having never broken the marriage vow in any outward way. As with the command against killing, Jesus begins with what everyone already agreed was right.
Then He carries it inward. In the verse that follows He shows that a lustful look has already wronged the heart, that faithfulness is a matter of the inner life and not only the outward deed. He honors marriage by taking it more seriously than His hearers expected, asking for purity all the way down. And He meets us there with mercy, ready to cleanse the heart and to make us new from the inside.
Matthew 5:27 in the Original Language
moicheuo (μοιχεύω), 'commit adultery' -- to be unfaithful within marriage, to break the marriage bond.
How to Apply Matthew 5:27 Today
Jesus treats marriage and the heart behind it as holy, more searching than mere outward conduct. He calls us toward purity in our thoughts and not only our actions, and where we have failed He offers a clean heart to all who turn to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 5:27
What does Matthew 5:27 mean?
Jesus names the command against adultery and is about to follow it inward, to the look and the desire that come before the act.
What is the context of Matthew 5:27?
Still on the mountainside, Jesus opens another of His contrasts with 'Ye have heard.' Having addressed anger beneath murder, He now turns to faithfulness, quoting a command His hearers all knew by heart before He reaches behind it in the next verse.
How can I apply Matthew 5:27 today?
Jesus treats marriage and the heart behind it as holy, more searching than mere outward conduct. He calls us toward purity in our thoughts and not only our actions, and where we have failed He offers a clean heart to all who turn to Him.