Are all of the TEN COMMANDMENTS upheld in the New Testament?
The answer is yes, most definitely. To prove this, consider what Jesus Christ taught concerning the commandments and see the chart at the bottom showing where each of the 10 Commandments is addressed in the New Testament.
Jesus Christ consistently upheld the 10 Commandments as given in the Old Testament. In His Sermon on the Mount, He very pointedly stated: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil (Matt.5:17).
Although some mistakenly think that “fulfil”” in this passage means to complete and therefore abolish, what Jesus said afterwards shows this could not be the case.
Continuing, Jesus said: “For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (vv.18-19).
On another occasion, a man came to Jesus asking, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).
Responding, Jesus said, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honour your father and your mother’” (v.19).
The point Jesus was making was that it should have been obvious to the man that he needed to keep the 10 Commandments. Jesus named enough of them to make it clear that this was the body of law this man needed to observe.
At the same time Jesus was also making the point that this young man wasn’t obeying the commandments as fully as he thought he was. He was guilty of covetousness (prohibited by the 10th Commandment), since he was unwilling to sell all that he had and commit himself to following Jesus Christ.
Jesus’ instruction to obey the 10 Commandments continues to apply to us today.
Jesus summarized the 10 Commandments into two great commandments. The first and great commandment is, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt.22:37).
“And,” Jesus said, “the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’” (v.39).
Love of God is the underlying reason we are to keep the 10 Commandments. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (Joh.14:15).
Noting the same concept, the apostle John later wrote: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 Joh.5:3).
The 10 Commandments in the New Testament
First Commandment: Jesus affirmed that we are to worship only God (Matt.4:10; Luke 4:8).
Second Commandment: James and Paul confirmed that we are not to worship idols (Acts 15:20; 1 Cor.6:9-10).
Third Commandment: Jesus repeated that we should not use God’s name in a vain manner (Matt.5:33-37).
Fourth Commandment: Jesus set the example for us of keeping the seventh-day Sabbath (Luke 4:16), as did the apostle Paul (Acts 17:2). After Jesus’ death, the author of the book of Hebrews confirmed that worshipping on this day continues to be expected of Christians (Hebr.4:9).
Fifth Commandment: Jesus taught that the commandment to honour our father and mother still applies (Matt.15:4).
Sixth Commandment: Jesus confirmed that the command not to murder is still in force (Matt.19:18).
Seventh Commandment: Jesus likewise taught that the command not to commit adultery still applies (Matt.19:18).
Eighth Commandment: Jesus taught that the commandment not to steal continues to apply (Matt.19:18).
Ninth Commandment: Jesus listed the prohibition against lying as continuing to be in force (Matt.19:18).
10th Commandment: Jesus and Paul taught that Christians should not covet (Luke 12:15; Rom.7:7).
The 10 Commandments in the Old and New Testaments
The following chart identifies references to the 10 Commandments in both the Old and New Testaments.
Commandment | Old Testament | New Testament |
1st | Ex.20:3; Deut.5:7 | Matt.4:10; Luke 4:8; Rev.14:7 |
2nd | Ex.20:4-6; Deut.5:8-10 | Acts 15:20; 1 Cor.6:9-10; Gal.5:19-20; Eph.5:5 |
3rd | Ex.20:7; Deut.5:11 | Matt.5:33-37; 1 Tim.6:1; James 2:7; 5:12 |
4th | Ex.20:8-11; Deut.5:12-15 | Luke 4:16; 23:55-56; Acts 17:1-2; 18:4; Hebr.4:9; 1 John 2:6 |
5th | Ex.20:12; Deut.5:16 | Matt.15:4-9; 19:19; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom.1:29-30; Eph.6:1-3 |
6th | Ex.20:13; Deut.5:17 | Matt.5:21-22; 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom.1:29-30; 13:9 |
7th | Ex.20:14; Deut.5:18 | Matt.5:27-28; 19:18; Mark 10:11-12, 19; Luke 16:18; 18:20; Rom.7:2-3; 13:9 |
8th | Ex.20:15; Deut.5:19 | Matt.19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Rom.13:9; Eph.4:28; 1 Pet.4:15; Rev.9:21 |
9th | Ex.20:16; Deut.5:20 | Matt.19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Acts 5:3-4; Rom.13:9; Eph.4:25 |
10th | Ex.20:17; Deut.5:21 | Luke 12:15; Rom.1:29; 7:7; 13:9; 1 Cor.6:9-10; Gal.5:19-21; Eph.5:3, 5 |