You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Note: These verses elaborate on Matthew 5:20 regarding righteousness that “exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees”. Definition of “lustful intent“.
Similar Old Testament Verses
You shall not commit adultery.
Exodus 20:14
I have made a covenant with my eyes; how then could I gaze at a virgin?
Job 31:1
Do not desire her beauty in your heart, and do not let her capture you with her eyelashes…
Proverbs 6:25
… let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts…
Isaiah 55:7
Do not let my heart incline to any evil…
Psalm 141:4
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments…
Proverbs 3:1
And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.
Deuteronomy 30:6
I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness.
1 Chronicles 29:17
But as for those whose heart goes after their detestable things and their abominations, I will bring their deeds upon their own heads, declares the Lord GOD.
Ezekiel 11:21
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.
Exodus 20:17
Definition of “covet“.
… then hear from heaven your dwelling place and forgive and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways, for you, you only, know the hearts of the children of mankind…
2 Chronicles 6:30
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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