How do you know what’s right or wrong? In Jesus’ time it was the Jewish teachers who were the authority and who interpreted ‘the Law’. Jesus challenged this: ‘You have heard it said … But I tell you…’ Jesus took a deeper look at this question. For example, ‘lust’ leads to the wanting of something that is not ours – akin to theft. It’s not just the act of adultery which is wrong; it’s the thoughts and imaginings which lead to doing wrong (v 28). Jesus’ remedies sounded extreme. His use of exaggeration illustrated the seriousness of such law‑breaking (vs 29,30). 

Some Pharisees’ interpretations had led to easy divorce over trivial matters. Jesus allowed only one reason for divorce – unfaithfulness. In both questions – adultery and divorce – in those times, it was usually the woman who suffered, and Jesus recognised their victimisation (v 31).

Can we trust one another? We make promises to do this or that. God hears us, but sometimes people (unsure of whether they’ll be believed) emphasise their intention with an oath in God’s name. Don’t do that, Jesus said. In doing so, God’s holy name is treated as a commodity to get what we want. A simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ is enough (v 37). Keeping God’s laws is not just an empty following of rules, but arises from a deep desire to please God – a whole-life obedience like that of Jesus.