Jesus and the Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) have been much debated throughout history, and Jews, Catholics, Protestants, and others all have their own different understandings of the specific meanings of the commandments. Perhaps it is most important for us as Christians to understand the meanings explained by Jesus, as we have them in the Gospels. The Ten Commandments had been given over a thousand years before Jesus’ birth, and in that time, the religious leaders had developed a complex and highly detailed set of laws that expanded on, but tended to obscure the simpler message of, the commandments. Jesus updated our understanding of the laws with a formula that went like this: “You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times [at Mount Sinai]…but I say to you…” In this way, Jesus emphasized the core of what God was telling us in the commandments, not the complicated legalities and man-made traditions of the religious leaders.

Here are the NRSV translations of the Ten Commandments in condensed form, with some of Jesus’ teachings about each one.
1. I am the Lord your God…you shall have no other gods before me. Jesus affirmed this most important commandment, saying, "It is written, 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.'" (Luke 4:8)
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol…You shall not bow down to them or worship them. Jesus explained the basis of this commandment, saying, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (John 4:24)
3. You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God. Jesus warned that “people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Mat 12:31-32) This commandment is also reiterated in the Lord’s Prayer; “Hallowed be your name.”
4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy…you shall not do any work. By Jesus’ time, religious leaders had many regulations detailing exactly what constituted work on the Sabbath. Jesus wanted people to look past these complicated restrictions and remember that it was a day of rest and holiness: "The Sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) Several times, Jesus argued that doing good, even on the Sabbath, was more important than adhering to regulations.

Jesus condensed the first four Commandments into one statement, saying “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.” (Mat 22:37-38)

Jesus talked about the last six commandments in the Gospels. “You know the commandments: 'You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.'” (Luke 18:20) But he also said, “For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil intentions come: fornication, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, wickedness, deceit, licentiousness, envy, slander, pride, folly. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:22-23) The message is that following God’s commandments under the New Covenant involves not just doing, or not doing, the outward actions, but also focusing on what is in our hearts and thoughts.

5. Honor your father and your mother. There was a practice allowed in the Jewish oral tradition that was the equivalent, in modern terms, of giving all your money to the Church when your parents are in need. Jesus accused, “For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,'…But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is…a gift devoted to God,’ then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition." (Mark 7:10-13) God’s commandments obligate us to take care of our family. Excessive piety is no good if we fail to do what God really wants. “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; learn to do good.” (Isaiah 1:11,17) The following passage may also help to illuminate the fifth commandment: “And [Jesus] replied, "Who are my mother and my brothers?" And looking at those who sat around him, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother." (Mark 3:33-35) Besides honoring our parents, we should honor our spiritual family as well.
6. You shall not murder. Jesus focused on the inner anger that led to murder, saying, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment…So when you are offering your gift at the altar…first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.” (Mat 5:21-24) This is echoed in the Lord’s Prayer, which says we are forgiven by God insofar as we forgive others.
7. You shall not commit adultery. Again, Jesus focused on the inner lust that leads to adultery, saying, "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 lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Mat 5:27-28)
8. You shall not steal. In the Gospels, Jesus repeats this straightforward commandment. But he also turns it around by telling a person who has never stolen that "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven." (Mark 10:21) Besides not stealing, we do God’s will by giving back what we have.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. This commandment tells us to speak the truth about each other, and not lie, or swear falsely, as in a court of law. But Jesus said, "Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' But I say to you, do not swear at all…for you cannot make one hair white or black.” (Mat 5:33-36) We not only shouldn’t swear to anything, but in the end, we can’t, because Only God is truth, and truth belongs only to God.
10. You shall not covet…anything that belongs to your neighbor. Jesus understood greedy desires and how they led to breaking commandments six through nine. At the heart of his teaching was a message that coveting was unnecessary. "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Finally, let us reflect on how Jesus summarized the last six commandments, saying, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mat 22:39)