How Jesus Fulfilled the Ten Commandments

Learn how Jesus fulfilled the Ten Commandments through His teachings. Discover how He gave deeper meaning to God’s law with love, faith, and truth.

Grace Thompson

9/30/20253 min read

commandments signage
commandments signage

The Ten Commandments were given by God to Moses as a foundation for holy living. They shaped the moral and spiritual life of Israel and remain central to Christian faith even today. But when Jesus came, He did not simply repeat these commandments. He fulfilled them and showed their deeper meaning. His teachings revealed that the commandments are not just about outward obedience but about a heart filled with love for God and others.

Let us walk through how Jesus fulfilled each of the Ten Commandments and how His words guide us in living faithfully today.

Jesus and the First Four Commandments: Our Relationship with God

  1. No other gods before Me – Jesus confirmed that we must love and serve God alone. He taught that seeking the kingdom of God should come before all other things.

  2. No idols – Jesus reminded us that true worship comes from the heart. He warned against placing wealth, status, or anything else above God.

  3. Do not misuse God’s name – Jesus honored His Father’s name in prayer, teaching us to pray, “Hallowed be Thy name,” and showing that we must respect God in every word and action.

  4. Remember the Sabbath day – Jesus healed and taught on the Sabbath, showing that it is a day meant for rest, worship, and acts of mercy. He explained that the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath, placing love and compassion at the center.

Jesus and the Last Six Commandments: Our Relationship with Others

  1. Honor your father and mother – Jesus honored His earthly parents and taught His followers to care for family. On the cross, He made sure His mother was cared for, showing perfect obedience to this commandment.

  2. Do not murder – Jesus taught that murder begins in the heart. He explained that anger and hatred are forms of violence against others and warned His followers to forgive instead of holding grudges.

  3. Do not commit adultery – Jesus showed that adultery is not only an act but also begins with thoughts and desires. He called His followers to purity of heart and mind.

  4. Do not steal – Jesus taught honesty and generosity. He called His followers to share with the needy and warned against greed and selfishness.

  5. Do not bear false witness – Jesus emphasized truthfulness. He told His followers to let their “Yes” be yes and their “No” be no, without lies or deception.

  6. Do not covet – Jesus warned against envy and greed. He taught us to be content and trust God for our daily needs, saying that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.

The Heart of the Commandments: Love

When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summed up the entire Law with two simple truths:

  • Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind.

  • Love your neighbor as yourself.

By fulfilling the commandments through love, Jesus showed that obedience is not about rules alone but about a transformed heart. Love for God leads to worship and faith, and love for people leads to kindness, truth, and compassion.

The Sermon on the Mount: A Deeper Understanding

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a fuller meaning to the commandments. He taught that obedience is more than avoiding sin. It is about living with purity, humility, forgiveness, and mercy. The Sermon showed that the commandments are not just written on stone tablets but must be written on our hearts.

Jesus fulfilled the Ten Commandments not by removing them but by living them perfectly and teaching their deeper meaning. He showed that true obedience comes from love, faith, and truth. Through His life, He revealed that the commandments are not simply rules to follow but a way of living in harmony with God and others.

As we follow His teachings, we are called to live the commandments in the same spirit, guided by love and strengthened by faith.

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