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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm" title="Matthew 5:27">◄</a> Matthew 5:28 <a href="/matthew/5-29.htm" title="Matthew 5:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/matthew/5.htm">New International Version</a> But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nlt/matthew/5.htm">New Living Translation</a> But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/esv/matthew/5.htm">English Standard Version</a> But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But I say to you that everyone looking upon a woman in order to lust after her already has committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/kjv/matthew/5.htm">King James Bible</a> But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. <a href="/nkjv/matthew/5.htm">New King James Version</a> But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nasb_/matthew/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nasb/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1995</a> but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nasb77/matthew/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a> but I say to you, that everyone who looks on a woman to lust for her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. <a href="/lsb/matthew/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/amp/matthew/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a> but I say to you that everyone who [so much as] looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/csb/matthew/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/hcsb/matthew/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But I tell you, everyone who looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/asv/matthew/5.htm">American Standard Version</a> but 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. <a href="/cev/matthew/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But I tell you if you look at another woman and want her, you are already unfaithful in your thoughts. <a href="/erv/matthew/5.htm">English Revised Version</a> but 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. <a href="/gwt/matthew/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart. <a href="/gnt/matthew/5.htm">Good News Translation</a> But now I tell you: anyone who looks at a woman and wants to possess her is guilty of committing adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/isv/matthew/5.htm">International Standard Version</a> But I say to you, anyone who stares at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/msb/matthew/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/net/matthew/5.htm">NET Bible</a> But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nheb/matthew/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> but I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. <a href="/wbt/matthew/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But I say to you, That whoever looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes lustful thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with regard to her. <a href="/web/matthew/5.htm">World English Bible</a> but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/matthew/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> but I say to you that everyone who is looking on a woman to desire her, already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/blb/matthew/5.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But I say to you that everyone looking upon a woman in order to lust after her already has committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/ylt/matthew/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> but I -- I say to you, that every one who is looking on a woman to desire her, did already commit adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/slt/matthew/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But I say to you, That every one seeing a woman, to eagerly desire her, has already committed adultery with her, in his heart.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/matthew/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/cpdv/matthew/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But I say to you, that anyone who will have looked at a woman, so as to lust after her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nabre/matthew/5.htm">New American Bible</a> But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/nrsvce/matthew/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/matthew/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But I say to you, that whoever looks at a woman with the desire to covet her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/matthew/5.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But I am saying to you, everyone who looks at a woman so as to lust for her, immediately commits adultery with her in his heart.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/matthew/5.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But I say to you, Whoever looks upon a woman to cherish desire for her, has already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/godbey/matthew/5.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> <FR>But I say unto you that every one looking on a woman in order to lust after her hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.<Fr> <a href="/haweis/matthew/5.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> but I say unto you, That every one who looketh upon a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. <a href="/mace/matthew/5.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but I tell you, that whosoever looks on a woman with impure desires is already guilty of approving the fact. <a href="/wey/matthew/5.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman and cherishes lustful thoughts has already in his heart become guilty with regard to her. <a href="/worrell/matthew/5.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> <FR>but I say to you, that every one who looks upon a woman, to lust after her, already committed adultery with her in his heart.<Fr> <a href="/worsley/matthew/5.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> <FR>but I tell you, that whosoever looketh on a woman, <Fr>so as<FR> to lust after her, hath already debauched her in his heart.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/matthew/5-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hriiyJYqzvc?start=1044" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/matthew/5.htm">Adultery</a> 27You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ 28<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: egō (PPro-N1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">I</a> <a href="/greek/3004.htm" title="3004: legō (V-PIA-1S) -- (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. ">tell</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymin (PPro-D2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/3956.htm" title="3956: pas (Adj-NMS) -- All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/991.htm" title="991: blepōn (V-PPA-NMS) -- (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at.">who looks at</a> <a href="/greek/1135.htm" title="1135: gynaika (N-AFS) -- A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife.">a woman</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: to (Art-ANS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1937.htm" title="1937: epithymēsai (V-ANA) -- To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for.">lust after</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her</a> <a href="/greek/2235.htm" title="2235: ēdē (Adv) -- Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now.">has already</a> <a href="/greek/3431.htm" title="3431: emoicheusen (V-AIA-3S) -- To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery.">committed adultery with</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autēn (PPro-AF3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">her</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tē (Art-DFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autou (PPro-GM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">his</a> <a href="/greek/2588.htm" title="2588: kardia (N-DFS) -- Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle.">heart.</a> 29If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17</a> You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” <a href="/2_samuel/11-2.htm">2 Samuel 11:2-4</a> One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman. / So David sent and inquired about the woman, and he was told, “This is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” / Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home. <a href="/job/31-1.htm">Job 31:1</a> “I have made a covenant with my eyes. How then could I gaze with desire at a virgin? <a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">Proverbs 6:25</a> Do not lust in your heart for her beauty or let her captivate you with her eyes. <a href="/proverbs/7-7.htm">Proverbs 7:7-27</a> I saw among the simple, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking judgment, / crossing the street near her corner, strolling down the road to her house, / at twilight, as the day was fading into the dark of the night. ... <a href="/proverbs/9-13.htm">Proverbs 9:13-18</a> The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing. / She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city, / calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight. ... <a href="/proverbs/23-26.htm">Proverbs 23:26-28</a> My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes delight in my ways. / For a prostitute is a deep pit, and an adulteress is a narrow well. / Like a robber she lies in wait and multiplies the faithless among men. <a href="/jeremiah/5-8.htm">Jeremiah 5:8</a> They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing after his neighbor’s wife. <a href="/ezekiel/23-16.htm">Ezekiel 23:16-17</a> At the sight of them, she lusted for them and sent messengers to them in Chaldea. / Then the Babylonians came to her, to the bed of love, and in their lust they defiled her. But after she had been defiled by them, she turned away in disgust. <a href="/hosea/4-11.htm">Hosea 4:11</a> to promiscuity, wine, and new wine, which take away understanding. <a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a> The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” <a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a> Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. <a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a> Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. <a href="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">1 Corinthians 10:6</a> These things took place as examples to keep us from craving evil things as they did. <a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19</a> The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.I say.<a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Matthew 5:22,39</a> But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire… <a href="/matthew/7-28.htm">Matthew 7:28,29</a> And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: … That.<a href="/genesis/34-2.htm">Genesis 34:2</a> And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, prince of the country, saw her, he took her, and lay with her, and defiled her.<a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Genesis 39:7</a> And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.<a href="/exodus/20-17.htm">Exodus 20:17</a> Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.hath.<a href="/psalms/119-96.htm">Psalm 119:96</a> I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.<a href="/romans/7-7.htm">Romans 7:7,8,14</a> What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/matthew/3-10.htm">Already</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-8.htm">Cherishes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/malachi/2-11.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/matthew/5-6.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/job/17-2.htm">Gazes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-22.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/jeremiah/2-24.htm">Lust</a> <a href="/job/31-1.htm">Lustfully</a> <a href="/malachi/2-13.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/micah/4-12.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/matthew/4-17.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Adultery</a> <a href="/matthew/6-16.htm">Already</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-29.htm">Cherishes</a> <a href="/matthew/5-32.htm">Commit</a> <a href="/matthew/11-27.htm">Committed</a> <a href="/luke/23-14.htm">Connection</a> <a href="/matthew/7-8.htm">Desire</a> <a href="/matthew/6-22.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/mark/5-38.htm">Gazes</a> <a href="/matthew/23-18.htm">Guilty</a> <a href="/matthew/6-21.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-6.htm">Lust</a> <a href="/job/31-1.htm">Lustfully</a> <a href="/matthew/13-14.htm">Regard</a> <a href="/matthew/9-4.htm">Thoughts</a> <a href="/matthew/5-39.htm">Turned</a><div class="vheading2">Matthew 5</div>1. <a href="/matthew/5-1.htm">Jesus' sermon on the mount:</a> 3. <a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">The Beattitudes;</a> 13. <a href="/matthew/5-13.htm">the salt of the earth;</a> 14. <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">the light of the world.</a> 17. <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">He came to fulfill the law.</a> 21. <a href="/matthew/5-21.htm">What it is to kill;</a> 27. <a href="/matthew/5-27.htm">to commit adultery;</a> 33. <a href="/matthew/5-33.htm">to swear.</a> 38. <a href="/matthew/5-38.htm">He exhorts to forgive wrong,</a> 43. <a href="/matthew/5-43.htm">to love our enemies;</a> 48. <a href="/matthew/5-48.htm">and to labor after perfection.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/matthew/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/matthew/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But I tell you This phrase indicates Jesus' authoritative teaching style, contrasting His interpretation of the Law with traditional Jewish understanding. It emphasizes His role as the ultimate interpreter of God's will, surpassing the authority of the scribes and Pharisees. This introduction sets the stage for a deeper moral and spiritual insight into the Law.that anyone who looks at a woman The focus here is on the act of looking, which in the cultural context of the time, was often associated with intent and desire. In a patriarchal society, women were frequently viewed as objects of desire, and Jesus challenges this perception by addressing the internal motivations of the heart. This phrase underscores the importance of purity in thought, not just in action.to lust after her Lust is a strong desire or craving, often associated with sexual desire. In biblical terms, it is considered a sin because it objectifies individuals and deviates from God's design for human relationships. This phrase highlights the internalization of sin, where the mere intention or desire is equated with the act itself. It connects to the Tenth Commandment, which warns against coveting, and emphasizes the need for self-control and purity.has already committed adultery Adultery, in biblical law, was a serious offense, punishable by death (<a href="/leviticus/20-10.htm">Leviticus 20:10</a>). By equating lustful intent with the act of adultery, Jesus elevates the standard of righteousness, focusing on the heart's condition rather than just outward actions. This teaching aligns with the prophetic call for a new heart and spirit (<a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>).with her in his heart The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of thought, emotion, and will. Jesus' teaching here emphasizes that sin originates from within, not just from external actions. This internal focus is consistent with the broader biblical narrative that God desires truth in the inward being (<a href="/psalms/51-6.htm">Psalm 51:6</a>) and that transformation begins with the renewal of the mind (<a href="/romans/12-2.htm">Romans 12:2</a>). This phrase calls for introspection and a commitment to inner purity, reflecting the transformative power of Christ's teachings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/jesus_christ.htm">Jesus Christ</a> The speaker of this verse, delivering the Sermon on the Mount, a foundational teaching moment in His ministry. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_disciples_and_the_crowd.htm">The Disciples and the Crowd</a> The immediate audience of Jesus' teaching, representing both His followers and the broader public. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_sermon_on_the_mount.htm">The Sermon on the Mount</a> A significant event in the New Testament where Jesus outlines the principles of His Kingdom, emphasizing internal righteousness over external compliance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/h/heart_condition.htm">Heart Condition</a> Jesus emphasizes that sin begins in the heart, not just in actions. Believers are called to guard their thoughts and desires. <a href="/topical/p/purity_of_mind.htm">Purity of Mind</a> Maintaining purity involves more than avoiding physical acts of sin; it requires vigilance over one's thoughts and intentions. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_intent.htm">The Role of Intent</a> Jesus highlights that the intention behind actions is crucial. Lustful intent is equated with the act of adultery itself. <a href="/topical/h/holiness_in_relationships.htm">Holiness in Relationships</a> Believers are encouraged to honor God in their relationships by upholding purity and respect for others. <a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_the_holy_spirit.htm">Dependence on the Holy Spirit</a> Overcoming lustful thoughts requires reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and transformation.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_matthew_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Matthew 5</a> <a href="/q/is_hentai_sinful_in_the_bible.htm">Is viewing hentai considered sinful in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/is_porn_a_sin_in_the_bible.htm">Is viewing pornography considered a sin in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_lust.htm">What does the Bible say about overcoming lust?</a> <a href="/q/can_pornography_be_ethically_sourced.htm">Can pornography be ethically sourced?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/matthew/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(28) To lust after her.--The intent is more strongly marked in the Greek than in the English. It is not the passing glance, not even the momentary impulse of desire, but the continued gaze by which the impulse is deliberately cherished till it becomes a passion. This noble and beautiful teaching, it has often been remarked, and by way of disparagement, is found elsewhere. Such disparagement is out of place. By the mercy of God the Light that "lighteth every man" has led men to recognise the truth thus asserted, and parallels to it may be found in the writings of Conlucius, Seneca, Epictetus, and even of the Jewish Rabbis themselves. The words of Juvenal closely express the general sentiment:--" Scelus intra se tacitus qui cogitat ullum,Facti crimen habet."["Who in his breast a guilty thought doth cherish,He bears the guilt of action."]Our Lord's words speak primarily of "adultery," but are, of course, applicable to every form of sensual impurity.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/matthew/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 28. - But I say (ver. 22, note). The bare command forbidding an external action is insufficient. It must extend to the thought. Contrast Josephus ('Ant.,' 12:09. 1), "The purposing to do a thing, without actually doing it, is not worthy of punishment." Generally, however, the sinfulness of wrong thoughts must have been acknowledged (cf. <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>, and the tenth commandment; cf. late examples in Schott-gen). Hammond ('Pr. Cat.,' in Ford) says, "In the Law, the fastening of the eyes on an idol, considering the beauty of it, saith Maimonides, is forbidden (<a href="/leviticus/19-4.htm">Leviticus 19:4</a>), and not only the worship of it" (vide Maimonides, 'Hilk. Ab. Zar.,' 2:2, by whom, however, the thought is, perhaps, rather condemned for what it leads to than per se; and similarly with <a href="/job/31-1.htm">Job 31:1</a>; <a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">Proverbs 6:25</a>). Whosoever; Revised Version, every one who (ver. 22, note). Looketh... to lust after (πρὸς τὸ ἐπιθυμῆσαι). As πρὸς τό with the infinitive (e.g. <a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1</a>), primarily denotes purpose; this may be equivalent to "looketh in order that he may lust, looketh to stimulate his lust" (cf. Meyer, Trench); but, as Weiss points out, this surely belongs to the refinement, not to the beginning of sin. Hence Nosgen suggests "looketh... lustfully" (cf. <a href="/james/4-5.htm">James 4:5</a>). Probably this is one of those cases where, as Ellicott says on <a href="/1_corinthians/9-18.htm">1 Corinthians 9:18</a>, πρὸς τό with the infinitive has "a shade of meaning that seems to lie between purpose and result, and even sometimes to approximate to the latter." At all events, it does not express, as εἰς τό would have expressed, the immediate purpose of the look (vide Ellicott, loc. cit.); cf. <a href="/matthew/6-1.htm">Matthew 6:1</a>. Her (αὐτήν, B, D, etc.); accusative with ἐπιθυμεῖν, here only in the New Testament. Perhaps the pronoun should be omitted, with א. <a href="/commentaries/matthew/5-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. I ἐγὼ (egō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. tell λέγω (legō) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3004.htm">Strong's 3004: </a> (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command. you ὑμῖν (hymin) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. anyone πᾶς (pas) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> All, the whole, every kind of. Including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole. who looks at βλέπων (blepōn) Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_991.htm">Strong's 991: </a> (primarily physical), I look, see, perceive, discern. A primary verb; to look at. a woman γυναῖκα (gynaika) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1135.htm">Strong's 1135: </a> A woman, wife, my lady. Probably from the base of ginomai; a woman; specially, a wife. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. lust after ἐπιθυμῆσαι (epithymēsai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1937.htm">Strong's 1937: </a> To long for, covet, lust after, set the heart upon. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, i.e. Long for. her αὐτὴν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. {has} already ἤδη (ēdē) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_2235.htm">Strong's 2235: </a> Already; now at length, now after all this waiting. Apparently from e and de; even now. committed adultery with ἐμοίχευσεν (emoicheusen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3431.htm">Strong's 3431: </a> To commit adultery (of a man with a married woman, but also of a married man). From moichos; to commit adultery. her αὐτὴν (autēn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Feminine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. his αὐτοῦ (autou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. heart. καρδίᾳ (kardia) Noun - Dative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2588.htm">Strong's 2588: </a> Prolonged from a primary kar; the heart, i.e. the thoughts or feelings; also the middle. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">NT Gospels: Matthew 5:28 But I tell you that everyone who (Matt. Mat Mt) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/matthew/5-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Matthew 5:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/matthew/5-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Matthew 5:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Matthew 5:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>