How does Matthew 15:19 relate to the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20? The Words Themselves “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Exodus 20:13-16 (BSB, selections) “You shall not murder.” “You shall not commit adultery.” “You shall not steal.” “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” Direct Connections • Murder ➔ 6th Commandment • Adultery & sexual immorality ➔ 7th Commandment (Jesus broadens the scope; cf. Matthew 5:27-28) • Theft ➔ 8th Commandment • False testimony & slander ➔ 9th Commandment • Evil thoughts ➔ heart-level root of every commandment, touching even the 10th (coveting) From Stone Tablets to Heart Issues • Exodus 20 lists outward prohibitions; Matthew 15:19 traces those same sins back to their birthplace—the human heart (Jeremiah 17:9). • Jesus confirms the Ten Commandments remain the standard, yet He intensifies them by showing that inner motives already violate God’s law (cf. Matthew 5:21-22; 5:27-28). • By highlighting the heart, Christ fulfills Ezekiel 36:26—God’s promise to give a new heart so that His people truly keep His commandments. Why This Matters Today • Obedience is more than external behavior; the gospel calls for transformed hearts (Romans 12:2). • Awareness: when anger, lust, greed, or deceit surface, we are seeing violations of Exodus 20 in embryonic form. • Dependence: only the Spirit can cleanse the source (Psalm 51:10; Galatians 5:16-23). • Assurance: the moral law still guides us, and Jesus both exposes our need and provides the grace to meet it (Romans 8:1-4). |
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