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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Matthew 5:27–32

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
¶ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

30 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 27

  1. Deuteronomy 5:18Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    18Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

  2. Proverbs 6:32Rank 2 from verse 27
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    32But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.

  3. Exodus 20:14Rank 3 from verse 27
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    14Thou shalt not commit adultery.

  4. Leviticus 20:10Rank 4 from verse 27
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    10¶ And the man that committeth adultery with another man’s wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

  5. Deuteronomy 22:22–24Rank 5 from verse 27
    Open

    22¶ If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

    23¶ If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;

    24Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

From verse 28

  1. 1 John 2:16Rank 1 from verse 28
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    16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

  2. James 1:14–15Rank 2 from verse 28
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    14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

    15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

  3. Proverbs 6:25Rank 3 from verse 28
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    25Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.

  4. Exodus 20:17Rank 4 from verse 28
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    17Thou 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.

  5. 2 Samuel 11:2Rank 5 from verse 28
    Open

    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.

From verse 29

  1. Romans 8:13Rank 1 from verse 29
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    13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

  2. Mark 9:43–48Rank 2 from verse 29
    Open

    43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

    44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

    45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

    46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

    47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:

    48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

  3. Colossians 3:5Rank 3 from verse 29
    Open

    5Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

  4. Romans 6:6Rank 4 from verse 29
    Open

    6Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

  5. 1 Peter 4:1–3Rank 5 from verse 29
    Open

    1FORASMUCH then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

    2That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

    3For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

From verse 30

  1. Mark 9:43Rank 1 from verse 30
    Open

    43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

  2. Matthew 5:29Rank 2 from verse 30
    Open

    29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

  3. 1 Peter 2:8Rank 3 from verse 30
    Open

    8And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.

  4. Romans 14:20–21Rank 4 from verse 30
    Open

    20For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.

    21It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

  5. 1 Corinthians 8:13Rank 5 from verse 30
    Open

    13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

From verse 31

  1. Jeremiah 3:1Rank 1 from verse 31
    Open

    1THEY say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man’s, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord.

  2. Deuteronomy 24:1–4Rank 2 from verse 31
    Open

    1WHEN a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house.

    2And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife.

    3And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife;

    4Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the Lord: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

  3. Matthew 19:7Rank 3 from verse 31
    Open

    7They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

  4. Mark 10:2–9Rank 4 from verse 31
    Open

    2¶ And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

    3And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

    4And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

    5And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

    6But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female.

    7For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife;

    8And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

    9What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

  5. Matthew 19:3Rank 5 from verse 31
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    3¶ The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?

From verse 32

  1. Romans 7:3Rank 1 from verse 32
    Open

    3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

  2. Luke 16:18Rank 2 from verse 32
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    18Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery.

  3. 1 Corinthians 7:10–11Rank 3 from verse 32
    Open

    10And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:

    11But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.

  4. 1 Corinthians 7:4Rank 4 from verse 32
    Open

    4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.

  5. Matthew 19:8–9Rank 5 from verse 32
    Open

    8He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

    9And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:27

COMBINED MEANING

ye

↗

The second-person plural subject pronoun, referring to the persons being addressed as those who are, do, or receive the stated predicate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heard

↗

Sense 1: Perceived by the ear. Sense 2: Received or learned by report. Sense 3: Listened to, regarded, or heeded. Sense 4: Favourably attended to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

old

↗

1. Advanced in age or existing for a long time. 2. Of the stated or specified age. 3. Ancient, former, previous, or worn.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

time

↗

A particular portion or part of duration, whether past, present or future.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

commit

↗

To do or perpetrate; to entrust, deliver, consign, or place in custody.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:28

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

looketh

↗

Third-person singular present form of look, meaning to direct the eyes or attention; to behold, observe, expect, or take heed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

on

↗

1. At, upon, or in contact with the named place, object, side, or time. 2. Toward, against, concerning, depending upon, or directed to the named person or thing. 3. Forward or continuing; in joined expressions such as go on, put on, and lay hold on, the other words supply the particular action.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lust

↗

Sense 1: Strong desire, craving, or appetite. Sense 2: To desire or crave.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

committed

↗

1. Performed or did an act, offence, trespass, or sin. 2. Entrusted, delivered, or placed a person or thing in another’s charge, custody, care, or keeping, or gave it over to a place or course.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:29

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

eye

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ of sight; by extension, sight or seeing. Sense 2: Regard, judgment, disposition, or watchful attention, expressed figuratively by the eye. Sense 3: A small opening, as the eye of a needle. Sense 4: To watch or regard.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

offend

↗

Sense 1: To transgress, sin, or act wrongly against. Sense 2: To displease or scandalize; to cause oneself or another to stumble or fall into sin.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cast

↗

1. To throw, send, put, lay, or direct a person or thing into, upon, around, toward, or away from a place, or into a stated condition. 2. To put away, reject, expel, remove, overthrow, or bring down. 3. To put forth or use a lot for choosing, dividing, or assigning. 4. To form an object by pouring molten material into a mould. 5. To shed, drop, or bring forth young, fruit, leaves, or flowers. 6. To raise, form, or prepare a bank, mount, trench, or way. 7. In "cast ... in his teeth," to reproach or charge something against him. 8. As a noun, the distance something may be thrown.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

members

↗

Sense 1: The limbs, organs, faculties, or other constituent parts of a body. Sense 2: Figuratively, persons joined as distinct parts of one body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

perish

↗

Sense 1: Of a living person or creature, to die, be killed, be destroyed, or be lost. Sense 2: Of a thing, condition, plan, thought, or work, to be ruined, decay, fail, vanish, or come to nothing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hell

↗

Sense 1: A place beneath, associated with the dead, destruction, and confinement. Sense 2: The place of punishment and torment, described as hell fire and fire that never shall be quenched. Sense 3: By figure, the depths, pains, or destructive power of death and overwhelming affliction.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:30

COMBINED MEANING

right

↗

1. Correct, just, upright, proper, lawful, fitting, true, or due; also a rightful claim or authority. 2. The direction or side opposite the left. 3. Straight, favourable, skilful, or approved. 4. Very, quite, or fully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hand

↗

Sense 1: The part of the body at the end of the arm. Sense 2: Figuratively, power, possession, aid, or agency.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

offend

↗

Sense 1: To transgress, sin, or act wrongly against. Sense 2: To displease or scandalize; to cause oneself or another to stumble or fall into sin.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cut

↗

Sense 1: To divide, sever, remove, or wound with a sharp instrument. Sense 2: Figuratively, to grieve deeply or bring to an end.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cast

↗

1. To throw, send, put, lay, or direct a person or thing into, upon, around, toward, or away from a place, or into a stated condition. 2. To put away, reject, expel, remove, overthrow, or bring down. 3. To put forth or use a lot for choosing, dividing, or assigning. 4. To form an object by pouring molten material into a mould. 5. To shed, drop, or bring forth young, fruit, leaves, or flowers. 6. To raise, form, or prepare a bank, mount, trench, or way. 7. In "cast ... in his teeth," to reproach or charge something against him. 8. As a noun, the distance something may be thrown.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

members

↗

Sense 1: The limbs, organs, faculties, or other constituent parts of a body. Sense 2: Figuratively, persons joined as distinct parts of one body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

should

↗

A verb expressing duty, propriety, expectation, intention, purpose, condition, appointed outcome, or a future event viewed from another time or statement.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

perish

↗

Sense 1: Of a living person or creature, to die, be killed, be destroyed, or be lost. Sense 2: Of a thing, condition, plan, thought, or work, to be ruined, decay, fail, vanish, or come to nothing.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

body

↗

Sense 1: The material frame of a person or creature. Sense 2: A visible form, mass, or main substance. Sense 3: A unified whole or company composed of members. Sense 4: Substantial reality distinguished from a shadow.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

hell

↗

Sense 1: A place beneath, associated with the dead, destruction, and confinement. Sense 2: The place of punishment and torment, described as hell fire and fire that never shall be quenched. Sense 3: By figure, the depths, pains, or destructive power of death and overwhelming affliction.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:31

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

put

↗

To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Matthew 5:32

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

you

↗

The second-person plural pronoun referring to those being addressed.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

put

↗

To place, set, lay, appoint, bring into a condition, or cause to be.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

saving

↗

Present-participial, verbal-noun, or prepositional form of save. Sense 1: Preserving, rescuing, or bringing deliverance. Sense 2: As a preposition, except or excepting.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cause

↗

Sense 1: A reason, ground, matter in dispute, or judicial case. Sense 2: As a verb, to make something happen.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fornication

↗

1. Unlawful sexual relations. 2. By figure, unfaithful or illicit relations.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

commit

↗

To do or perpetrate; to entrust, deliver, consign, or place in custody.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

divorced

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of divorce, meaning to separate from a spouse by divorce; to put away from the marriage relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

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Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

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

Selected passage

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

Selected passage

29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Selected passage

30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Selected passage

31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

Selected passage

32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Selected passage

33¶ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

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