Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:27

What does Matthew 5:27 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:27 means

Jesus introduces His next reinterpretation, focusing on the seventh commandment: "Thou shalt not commit adultery." This prohibition against infidelity was understood primarily as an external act. By referencing this familiar saying, Jesus prepares His listeners for a radical expansion of its meaning, moving the focus from the physical act to the internal desires and intentions of the heart, just as He did with murder.

Matthew 5:27 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

You have knowledge that it was said, You may not have connection with another man's wife:

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

`Ye heard that it was said to the ancients: Thou shalt not commit adultery;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Ye have heard that it has been said, Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Context

This verse introduces the second of Jesus' "You have heard... but I say unto you" contrasts, shifting from anger and murder to the commandment against adultery. It acts as the traditional understanding, setting the stage for Jesus' profound reinterpretation in the subsequent verse, which will focus on the heart's intentions rather than just outward actions.

v.26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

v.27This passage

v.28but I say unto you, that every one that looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Exodus 20:14

    Thou shalt not commit adultery.

  • Leviticus 20:10

    And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

  • Proverbs 6:32

    He that committeth adultery with a woman is void of understanding: He doeth it who would destroy his own soul.

  • Deuteronomy 22:22

    If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away the evil from Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 5:18

    Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

  • Matthew 5:21

    Ye have heard that it was said to them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:27

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:27 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:27 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:27 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:27 teaches us about light and salt

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