Looketh on a Woman Committeth Adultery

Many have heard this popular scripture, and you may even hear it recited to you at some time in your spiritual journey, if you haven’t already. However, there are a couple of different interpretations of it.

Matthew 5:28 KJVS

[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

One common interpretation of this scripture is that, if I as a man look on a woman and begin to have a sexual desire towards her I have committed adultery. So you will run into many in the world, as well as in the truth, that take this scripture very literally. However, the first thing we must do, is to place it in its proper context and getting an understanding. We do this by noting the previous verse provided below.

Matthew 5:27 KJVS

[27] Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

Here we see that the subject matter was dealing with the commandment “thou shalt not commit adultery.” However, a colon is added as Christ is going to further elaborate on or explain more concerning this commandment. Not give an additional commandment or simply reiterate what was already said.

Matthew 5:28 KJVS

[28] But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

The key, is that Christ was not speaking literally. He was letting us know, that what I am teaching you is how the thought (heart/mind) turns into the action. When you look at the sin of adultery, that is not a sin that happens by chance. It is a sin that is planned or premeditated. And either way you cut it, It begins in the mind with ones thoughts. This was an example we saw portrayed in the scriptures looking at the fall of King David.

2 Samuel 11:1-3 KJVS

[1] And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. [2] And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. [3] And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

Stop right there. Did David commit adultery as of yet? No, he does so here down below as we read on.

2 Samuel 11:4-5 KJVS

[4] And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. [5] And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

This is where David committed the sin of adultery. He should have stopped pursing the woman after finding out she was married. However, his lust and desire toward her in his mind, caused him to find a way to put himself in a position to have sexual relations with her and thus defile himself. Although, David had other wives, he was captivated by this woman in his mind and then began to act upon those thoughts and feelings.

This story stands as one of the best examples (and possibly the origin) of what Christ was saying in Matthew 5:28 and why he was saying it. It isn’t just about “Hey don’t commit adultery.” But rather, “Don’t put yourself in a position where you are fixated on a woman in your mind because that is a setup for you to commit adultery.”

Lastly, note that the scriptures make it clear that this is regarding a married woman. You cannot commit adultery with a woman that is not married. This makes null and void the argument one makes that all lust (or desire) is created equal and therefore a violation of the law. It is the context of that desire, the magnitude of it, and how you act on it that makes it a sin. You are only in violation of “coveting” if you are looking to gain, howbeit, UNJUSTLY. Having a sexual desire toward someone you want or intend to get to know for marriage is not wicked of you but natural. If we were to be condemned for thinking in this manner none of us would be alive, we would all be adulterers and fornicators. You do not have absolute control over your thoughts. However, you can control what you focus on, as well as your actions.

Hebrews 13:4 KJVS

[4] Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.