What Jesus Really Meant About Murder and Adultery: A Heart-Level Transformation

 

It Starts in the Heart: What Jesus Really Meant About Murder and Adultery

Last week, we explored Jesus' main theme: He did not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets but to fulfill them. This was a radical idea. Some detractors wanted Him to tear down the Law, while others feared He would. Jesus assured them He was doing neither.

Instead, He came to show the true, full, and complete meaning of the Law—down to the smallest letter.

To demonstrate this, Jesus jumps right into two of the "big ones": murder and adultery.

On the surface, these seem like "outward" sins. They are actions committed against another person, actions that others can see, and actions that could be brought before a public hearing. But Jesus, in His famous sermon, is about to take these outward sins and trace them back to their source.

Let's dive into what He had to say.

1. From "Do Not Murder" to "Do Not Be Angry"

Jesus begins by quoting the familiar teaching:

"You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' (Matthew 5:21)

This is what the people had "heard" in the synagogues. Over time, teachers had added the "subject to judgment" part to God's original command. The people of that day didn't have personal copies of the Law as we do; they relied on what was taught to them.

(As a quick aside: This is why I always encourage you to read the Word for yourself! We who have a complete Bible are held to a higher standard. Don't just depend on what you hear from me; be in the Word daily.)

The teachers focused on the outward act of murder—the intentional, malicious taking of a human life. The Law was clear on this, going all the way back to Cain and Abel, and it was affirmed in the Law of Moses (Exodus 21:12, Leviticus 24:17).

But then, Jesus shifts the entire paradigm with three powerful words: "But I tell you..."

"But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." (Matthew 5:22)

Jesus speaks with authority because He is the authority. He reveals that before the outward act of murder ever happens, the sin has already begun in the heart.

He shows a dangerous progression:

1. Unjust Anger: A rash, hasty anger against someone. This itself makes one subject to judgment.
2. Contempt ("Raca"): This Aramaic word implies contempt. It means "empty-headed," "worthless," or "blockhead." It's an insult that dehumanizes.
3. Hatred ("You fool!"): This isn't just calling someone silly. This "fool" implies a rebel, an apostate, someone who is against God. It is a term of extreme, settled hatred.

The stakes get higher with each step: from the local court ("judgment") to the supreme court ("Sanhedrin") to eternal damnation ("the fire of hell").

Jesus isn't abolishing the law against murder; He's fulfilling it by showing us that murder starts in the heart. As the apostle John later wrote, "Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer" (1 John 3:15).

2. The Urgency of Reconciliation

Because this heart-level anger is so serious, Jesus gives a radical "therefore":

"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift." (Matthew 5:23-24)

This is stunning. Jesus says that your act of worship—your offering, your service, your communion—is unacceptable to God if your relationships are broken.

Notice, it doesn't even say "if you have something against your brother," but "if your brother has something against you." If you are aware of a grievance, you are responsible for initiating reconciliation.

Don't wait. Your relationship with God is directly impacted by your relationships with others. As Samuel told Saul, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22).

Jesus doubles down on this urgency:

"Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way..." (Matthew 5:25)

Don't let it get to the judge. Seek reconciliation now. It takes humility, but as peacemakers, we are called to act like our Father.

3. From "Do Not Commit Adultery" to "Do Not Lust"

Jesus then moves to the second "big one."

"You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'" (Matthew 5:27)

Like murder, this sin was punishable by death under the Law (Leviticus 20:10). It's an outward act most of us would say we'd never commit.

But again, Jesus says, "But I tell you..."

"But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)

Once again, Jesus traces the outward sin back to its inward source.

• He is NOT saying it's a sin to see or appreciate beauty.
• He IS saying it's a sin to "look... lustfully"—to gaze, to stare, with the intention of "if I could, I would." It's allowing your imagination to go where it shouldn't.

The eyes see, the desire forms, and the thoughts take root in the heart long before any outward action. The Bible repeatedly warns us about this:

• Numbers 15:39: "...not prostitute yourselves by going after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes."
• Job 31:1: "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl."

When you're learning to drive, you're told, "Keep your eyes on the road," because your car will follow your eyes. It's the same with our hearts.

4. How Serious Is It? (Gouge It Out)

Jesus knows the human heart. He knows we're tempted to say, "It was just a thought. I'd never actually do it."

Jesus says that if you thought it (with intent), you spiritually did it. The thought and the deed are identical in their sinfulness. To drive this point home, He gives this shocking command:

"If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away... And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." (Matthew 5:29-30)

Jesus isn't being literal. (You'd still have one eye to lust and one hand to sin with!) He is using extreme language to teach a vital lesson: We must be radical and ruthless in dealing with sin.

How serious are you about living a godly life? Are you willing to take drastic measures to cut sin out of your life?

Conclusion: The Overflow of the Heart

With these two examples, Jesus fulfilled the Law by showing us its true intent. It's not just about our outward actions; it's about our hearts.

We can stand before God and say, "I've never murdered," or "I've never committed adultery." But Jesus, who knows the heart, asks, "But have you hated? Have you lusted?"

He said it Himself:

"For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person brings good things out of the good stored up in their heart, and the evil person brings evil things out of the evil stored up in their heart." (Luke 6:45)

What is in your heart? In a world that says, "Follow your heart," "Say what you feel," and "Do what you want," Jesus calls us to be different. He calls us to have a new heart.

If our hearts have truly been changed by Christ, our actions will follow. Because as that little chorus says:

Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe.

Originally delivered 2025.02.02