Matthew 5:27
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Matthew 5:27
This verse returns to the topic of lust, reframing the command against adultery by addressing not only the act but also the eye’s gaze. “Ye have heard that it was said” signals rabbinic interpretation of the commandment against adultery (Exodus 20:14). Jesus’ formulation broadens the moral scope: looking with lust is tantamount to committing adultery in the heart. The cultural milieu included male-dominated norms around sexual desire, but Jesus elevates ethics to the interior life. The teaching indicts the heart as the wellspring of behavior; desire shapes action, and the soul must be guarded to preserve human dignity and fidelity in marriage and sexuality.
The verse emphasizes the sin of lust as a heart-level issue, aligning with biblical anthropology that the heart, mind, and will drive outward conduct. It underscores the need for inner transformation by grace and the Spirit. It also foreshadows Jesus’ broader ethic of purity and integrity in community life and relationships.
In modern terms, guard your thoughts and media consumption. If you notice creeping lust or lustful imagery shaping your imagination, set boundaries: filter content, avoid triggers, and pursue accountability. Cultivate healthy habits—pornography avoidance, dating integrity, and honoring commitments in marriage. For singles, pursue purity through disciplines such as prayer, discernment about dating, and community accountability. The aim is a life shaped by virtue rather than self-indulgence, reflecting God’s design for healthy sexuality.
Cross-References: Matthew 5:28; Job 31:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; Psalm 119:9