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Matthew 5:27

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Matthew 5:27 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Matthew 5:27 — American Standard Version

Context — Matthew 5

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way, first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
25Agree with thine adversary quickly, while thou art with him in the way; lest haply the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
26Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.
27Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
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.
29And if thy right eye causeth thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body be cast into hell.
30And if thy right hand causeth thee to stumble, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not thy whole body go into hell.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Ye have heard that it was said, etc.] These forms of speech, as well as what follows, by them of old time, have been explained, in ver. 21. The law here mentioned, thou shalt not commit adultery, is recorded in (<022014>Exodus 20:14) and the meaning of our Lord is, not that the then present Jews had heard that such a law had been delivered “to the ancients”, their fathers, at Mount Sinai; for that they could read in their Bibles: but they had received it by tradition, that the sense of it, which had been given to their ancestors, by the ancient doctors of the church, was, that this law is to be taken strictly, as it lies, and only regards the sin of uncleanness in married persons; or, what…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye have heard that it was said--The words "by," or "to them of old time," in this verse are insufficiently supported, and probably were not in the original text. Thou shall not commit adultery--Interpreting this seventh, as they did the sixth commandment, the traditional perverters of the law restricted the breach of it to acts of criminal intercourse between, or with, married persons exclusively. Our Lord now dissipates such delusions.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery - See the notes at Matthew 5:21. Our Saviour in these verses explains the seventh commandment. It is probable that the Pharisees had explained this commandment, as they had the sixth, as extending only to the external act; and that they regarded evil thoughts and a wanton imagination as of little consequence, or as not forbidden by the law. Our Saviour assures them that the commandment did not regard the external act merely, but the secrets of the heart, and the movements of the eye. He declares that they who indulge a wanton desire, that they who look on a woman to increase their lust, have already, in the…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou shalt not commit adultery - And this, as well as the sixth commandment, the scribes and Pharisees interpreted barely of the outward act. Exo 20:14. Matthew 5:29”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“5:27-30 Jesus’ righteousness uncovers sin at a deeper level than the external; he reveals the true intent of the law.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou: Exo 20:14; Lev 20:10; Deu 5:18, Deu 22:22-24; Pro 6:32 Matthew 5:28”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification