What Did Jesus Say About the 10 Commandments?

Jesus' Affirmation of the Ten Commandments

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not abolish the Ten Commandments. In fact, He affirmed their validity in the New Testament. Jesus declared that He came not to destroy the Commandments but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17-19).

This affirmation extended beyond the two commandments Jesus specifically mentioned against murder and adultery. By requiring obedience to five commandments in His address to the rich ruler (Exodus 20:13-16), Jesus implied that all the Ten Commandments were necessary for eternal life.

Love as the Intent of the Commandments

Jesus recognized love as the overarching principle behind the Ten Commandments. He taught that loving others fulfills the law (Romans 13:10). However, this does not mean that the Commandments themselves are optional. Love does not excuse disregarding God's moral guidelines.

Why Jesus Listed Only Five Commandments

When Jesus listed five commandments to the rich ruler, He may have specifically addressed the Pharisees' misinterpretations of the law. By emphasizing commandments related to loving others, Jesus highlighted the Pharisees' neglect of human compassion. Nonetheless, this selective mention does not diminish the importance of the other commandments concerning love for God and avoidance of coveting.

Jesus established the Ten Commandments as an integral part of Christian faith. He reaffirmed their binding nature and relevance for the present day. While love is the overarching principle, it is not a substitute for obedience to the specific Commandments. The New Testament provides ample support for the enduring validity of all Ten Commandments, which remain essential for achieving eternal life.

Relevant Points

1. Jesus affirmed the Ten Commandments' validity and relevance.
2. Love is the underlying principle behind the Commandments.
3. Jesus' selective listing of five commandments does not diminish the importance of the others.
4. The Ten Commandments are essential for eternal life.
5. The New Testament consistently upholds the Ten Commandments.

Jesus' Affirmation of the Ten Commandments: Advice

• Uphold the Commandments:
  • Jesus affirmed their validity and relevance for Christians.
  • Every detail of the law, including the Commandments, will remain intact.
• Love as the Intent:
  • Love is the underlying principle behind the Commandments.
  • Loving others is the fulfillment of the law.
  • Love is not an excuse for disregarding God's moral guidelines.
• No Exceptions:
  • Jesus required obedience to all Ten Commandments.
  • Even breaking the least commandment diminishes one's position in heaven.
• Fulfillment, Not Abolition:
  • Jesus emphasized the fulfillment, not the abolition, of the Law and Prophets.
• Grace and Obedience:
  • God's grace should not be used as an excuse to sin.
  • Obedience to the Commandments is essential for eternal life.
• Love God and Neighbor:
  • Jesus summarized the Commandments into two great commandments: love for God and love for neighbor.
  • These commandments are inseparable and interdependent.
• Sabbath Observance:
  • Jesus continued to keep the Sabbath after His resurrection.
  • Christians are expected to keep the seventh-day Sabbath.
• Faithfulness and the Commandments:
  • Faithful Christians are identified as those who keep the Ten Commandments.
• Consistency in the Bible:
  • The Ten Commandments in the Old and New Testaments are consistent.
• Respect for God:
  • The first commandment prohibits worshipping other gods or idols.
  • The third commandment forbids using God's name in vain.
• Protect Others:
  • The sixth commandment prohibits murder.
  • The seventh commandment prohibits adultery.
  • The eighth, ninth, and tenth commandments protect against stealing, lying, and coveting.

What did Jesus say about the 10 Commandments?

Jesus affirmed the validity and relevance of the Ten Commandments, emphasizing their fulfillment rather than their abolition. He considered them essential for eternal life and taught that love for God and neighbor encapsulated their purpose while not replacing their specific requirements.