where is the 10 commandments in the bible?

Commandments in the Bible

The Ten Commandments are foundational to understanding God’s will for humanity and are central to both the Old and New Testaments. They provide moral guidelines that reveal God’s character and His desire for His people to live in obedience and holiness.

Where Are the Ten Commandments in the Bible?

The Ten Commandments are found in two key passages in the Bible:

1. Exodus 20:1-17: This is the first instance where God gives the commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai after delivering the Israelites from Egypt.

2. Deuteronomy 5:6-21: Here, Moses reiterates the commandments to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land.

These passages outline God’s expectations and serve as a covenant between God and His people.

what is the 10 commandments in the bible?

The Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17 (NKJV), are God’s instructions for righteous living. They are divided into two categories: the first four focus on our relationship with God, and the last six address our relationships with others. Here is the complete list with supporting Bible verses:

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
   “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image or worship idols.
   “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” (Exodus 20:4-6)

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
   “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
   “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” (Exodus 20:8-11)

5. Honor your father and your mother.
   “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)

6. You shall not murder.
   “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13)

7. You shall not commit adultery.
   “You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

8. You shall not steal.
   “You shall not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
   “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16)

10. You shall not covet anything that belongs to your neighbor.
    “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

The Structure of the Commandments

The Ten Commandments are divided into two sections:

• Commands 1-4 address our worship and relationship with God.
• Commands 5-10 focus on how we treat others in our daily lives.

These commandments remain foundational for understanding God’s moral law and how He calls us to live in obedience and love. Would you like additional context or related verses to support this list?

Are the Ten Commandments in the Bible Still Relevant Today?

Yes, the Ten Commandments are as relevant today as they were when God gave them to Moses on Mount Sinai. They reflect God’s unchanging moral law, which serves as a foundation for righteous living and a mirror to reveal humanity’s sinfulness. Though Jesus Christ fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17), He did not abolish it but instead magnified its meaning, calling us to a deeper level of obedience and heart transformation.

Why the Ten Commandments Still Matter

1. They Reflect God’s Character and Holiness.
   The commandments are rooted in God’s character. They reveal His holiness, justice, and love. Obeying them is a way to honor Him and live a life set apart for His purposes. “Be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)

2. They Reveal Sin and Our Need for a Savior.
   The commandments serve as a spiritual diagnostic tool, revealing where we fall short of God’s standard. Paul wrote, “I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known covetousness unless the law had said, ‘You shall not covet.’” (Romans 7:7) The law shows us our need for Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled it and offers salvation through His sacrifice.

3. They Guide Christian Living.
   The commandments provide practical guidance for living in a way that pleases God and reflects His love to others. Jesus summarized the heart of the law in two great commandments: “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

4. They Are Universal and Eternal.
   God’s moral law transcends time and culture. Unlike ceremonial or civil laws given specifically to Israel, the Ten Commandments are universally applicable, governing our relationship with God and others. Jesus affirmed their ongoing relevance, saying, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Grace and Obedience: Walking in Balance

While we are saved by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), this does not mean the law is void. Grace empowers us to live in obedience, not as a means of earning salvation but as a response to God’s love. Paul addressed this balance, saying, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” (Romans 6:1-2)

When we stumble in keeping God’s commandments, we are called to repentance. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) The blood of Jesus washes us clean and enables us to strive for holiness, not through our strength but through His Spirit at work within us.

The Commandments in Action

Living by the Ten Commandments is a testimony of our faith and a way to shine God’s light in a dark world. They shape our values, actions, and interactions with others. Upholding them sets us apart as followers of Christ, demonstrating that we honor God’s authority over our lives. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Are the Ten Commandments in the New Testament?

While the Ten Commandments are not repeated verbatim as a single list in the New Testament, their moral and spiritual principles are reaffirmed and expanded upon in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. These timeless commandments reflect God’s character and His desire for us to live in holiness, love, and obedience. Below, we explore how each commandment is upheld in the New Testament, along with deeper insights and supporting scripture:

1. “You shall have no other gods before Me.”
   Jesus reaffirmed the need for exclusive devotion to God when He declared, “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve” (Matthew 4:10, Luke 4:8). Paul also emphasized in 1 Corinthians 8:6, “Yet for us, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.”

2. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.”
   Idolatry, in all its forms, is strongly condemned in the New Testament. Paul warns believers, “Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). John concludes his first epistle with the exhortation, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Idolatry is not limited to physical statues but includes anything that takes God’s rightful place in our lives (Colossians 3:5).

3. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.”
   Jesus emphasized reverence for God’s name when teaching His disciples to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name” (Matthew 6:9). James further cautioned against misusing the Lord’s name or swearing falsely, reminding us of the sanctity of our words (James 5:12).

4. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”
   While the observance of the Sabbath is a point of theological discussion, the New Testament continues to highlight the principle of rest and worship. Jesus declared Himself “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), emphasizing its purpose to benefit humanity (Mark 2:27). Hebrews 4:9-11 speaks of a greater Sabbath rest for believers, pointing to the spiritual rest we find in Christ.

5. “Honor your father and your mother.”
   Paul reiterates this commandment in Ephesians 6:1-3: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—this is the first commandment with a promise—‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’” This teaching reinforces both the importance of family relationships and the blessings of obedience.

6. “You shall not murder.”
   Jesus not only upheld this commandment but deepened its meaning. He taught that even harboring anger against someone is akin to murder in God’s eyes: “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:22). John echoed this, writing, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15).

7. “You shall not commit adultery.”
   Jesus expanded this commandment by addressing the heart’s intentions: “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Paul also emphasized sexual purity, stating, “Flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18).

8. “You shall not steal.”
   Paul instructed believers to live honestly and to work hard: “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need” (Ephesians 4:28). This principle underscores the importance of integrity and generosity.

9. “You shall not bear false witness.”
   Truthfulness is a foundational Christian value. Paul exhorted, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor” (Ephesians 4:25). Jesus identified Satan as the father of lies (John 8:44), contrasting him with God, whose word is truth (John 17:17).

10. “You shall not covet.”
    Covetousness, or greed, is addressed frequently in the New Testament. Jesus warned, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Paul called it idolatry and urged believers to live contentedly (Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:6-10).

The Heart of the Commandments in the New Covenant

Jesus summarized the essence of the Ten Commandments when asked about the greatest commandment. He responded, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).

Far from abolishing the law, Jesus fulfilled it perfectly (Matthew 5:17). As believers, we are called to uphold its principles, not as a means of salvation, but as an expression of our love for God and others (John 14:15).

By examining the New Testament, we see that the Ten Commandments are timeless truths, intricately woven into the fabric of God’s moral law and the gospel of grace.

Why Are the Ten Commandments Important?

The Ten Commandments are far more than a historical list of rules—they are a reflection of God’s holy nature, His perfect will, and His love for humanity. They form the foundation of God’s moral law and reveal how we are to live in relationship with Him and others. Their importance extends across time, culture, and covenants, emphasizing their enduring relevance for Christians today.

1. They Guide Us to Live Holy Lives

The commandments reveal how to live in alignment with God’s will, setting a standard for holy living. They teach us how to honor God (commands 1-4) and how to love and respect others (commands 5-10). Through obedience, we demonstrate our love for God and reflect His character to the world.

• “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2; echoed in 1 Peter 1:16)

Jesus reaffirmed the importance of God’s commandments by summarizing them into two overarching principles: love for God and love for others. “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:40) This demonstrates that the commandments are not burdensome but a pathway to a life that honors God and blesses others.

2. They Convict Us of Sin

The Ten Commandments serve as a mirror, reflecting God’s standard of righteousness and exposing our sinfulness. Without them, we would not fully understand the depth of our need for salvation through Jesus Christ.

• “I would not have known sin except through the law.” (Romans 7:7)

This conviction is not meant to condemn but to lead us to repentance and faith in Jesus. Through His perfect obedience to the law, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for sin, offering us grace and redemption.

3. They Encourage Obedience as an Act of Love

Jesus emphasized that obedience to God’s commandments is a tangible expression of our love for Him. “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

Obedience is not about legalism or earning salvation but about honoring God’s authority and expressing gratitude for His grace. The commandments guide us to live lives that reflect our faith and devotion to Him.

• “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

4. They Are Eternal and Universal

God’s moral law, as revealed in the Ten Commandments, is eternal and unchanging. While the ceremonial and civil laws given to Israel were specific to their covenant, the Ten Commandments apply to all people for all time. Jesus affirmed this when He declared:

• “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” (Matthew 5:17)

5. They Protect Us from Harm

The commandments provide boundaries that protect us from the destructive consequences of sin. They are not meant to restrict us but to give us freedom within God’s design for life. By following them, we experience peace, joy, and blessings. “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord!” (Psalm 119:1)

6. They Point Us to the Gospel

The commandments ultimately lead us to Jesus, who fulfilled the law on our behalf. His life, death, and resurrection make it possible for us to be forgiven and empowered to live in obedience to God. The law is not abolished but fulfilled in Christ, enabling us to live by the Spirit.

• “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,” (Romans 8:3)

Conclusion

The question “Are the Ten Commandments in the New Testament?” is answered not through a direct repetition of the list but through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who upheld their principles and deepened their meaning. The Ten Commandments remain critically important because they reflect God’s unchanging character, convict us of sin, and guide us to live holy lives. Through Christ, the law is fulfilled, and we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to obey God’s commands out of love, not obligation.

By embracing the commandments as a reflection of God’s moral law, we align our lives with His will, honor His authority, and demonstrate our faith in a tangible way. The Ten Commandments may have been written on stone in the Old Testament, but their relevance and truth are written on the hearts of believers in the New Testament. Obeying them is not only an act of love toward God but also a way to shine His light in a world that desperately needs His truth.

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