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

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, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.… You shall not commit adultery.

Adultery. 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 awayIt is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.

What does Matthew 5:27 mean? Jesus is giving examples to back up His statement in verse 20 that nobody can enter the kingdom of heaven unless their righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees. In part, this is meant to suggest that those groups were hypocritical.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 5:27-28. Ye have heard, &c. — Jesus now proceeds in his sermon to the seventh commandment, the true interpretation of which he gives us. Thou shalt not commit adultery — This, as well as the sixth commandment, the scribes …

Jesus emphasizes that the Law is not just about external actions but also about internal purity. The commandment against adultery is not only about physical acts but also about the purity of the heart and mind. Jesus' teaching calls for vigilance over our thoughts and desires.

27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away.

Matthew 5:27-28 meaning Jesus teaches that the external sin of adultery and the internal sin of lust are both violations of God’s Covenant. The parallel account of this teaching is found in Mark 9:47-48 .

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.