After describing the character of a disciple in the Beatitudes, Jesus gives several examples of the righteousness that must exceed that of the Pharisees (v. 20). Theirs was external. Ours must begin in the heart. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, with whom the disciple must cooperate. 

Jesus’ first illustration was last week’s passage expounding the 6th commandment about murder. Today he uses the 7th commandment about adultery. 

Jesus fulfills the law by teaching it perfectly. 

Jesus explained quite directly that the law against adultery required holiness at a deeper level. To even look “with lustful intention” is to break the law. It’s a lie that “looking” doesn’t hurt anyone. Lust harms our community by objectifying people. It conditions us for further sin. It causes addictions, physical maladies and brings violence. It is so serious that Jesus uses hyperbole about gouging out one’s eye to stop it. However, that external rule approach was basically the Pharisee’s legalism. 

Jesus also addressed the common practice of divorce as a breach of the commandment. He gave no explanation in Mt. 5. But in chapter 19, it will become clear that divorce during that time was easily welcomed so long as a certificate was given to the woman, a misappropriation of Moses’ teaching. Rather than debate reasons for divorce, Jesus explains God’s intention for marriage of two becoming one, stating that “what God has joined together, let not man separate” (Mt. 19:6). Jesus challenged their hardness of heart, and vicariously challenges ours.

Taking It Home: There is a lot of pastoral hurt around the subjects of lust and divorce. Jesus didn’t lessen God’s law (see 5:19), but look at how gently he served people with real sin. See John 4:16 and John 8:3. Ask him to heal you.