Exodus - Chapter 20

This Chapter contains a section of the Old Testament that is probably the best known - the Ten Commandments.

Later we will see numerous detailed rules for the Israelites to follow.  But first there is this set of ten.

Jesus (in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5) said "do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfil them."  Jesus then illustrates this with some commandments; "You have heard that it was said "do not murder" (6th Commandment); or "do not commit adultery" (7th Commandment).  He then says "but I tell you" .....

He does this not to contradict the commandments, but to put them into context.  Trying to keep the law would not be possible; people need grace through faith in Jesus.