What does the Bible say

What Does the Bible Say About Adultery?

The Bible forbids adultery in the Ten Commandments and treats faithfulness in marriage as sacred, because breaking that trust wounds a covenant God himself honours. Yet Scripture also shows extraordinary mercy to those who have fallen, as when Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery. It calls to faithfulness and offers forgiveness to the repentant.

What Scripture says

Here are real verses on adultery, each in the King James Version, with a word on what it means.

Thou shalt not commit adultery.Exodus 20:14 (KJV)

Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.Hebrews 13:4 (KJV)

Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled, but adulterers God will judge.

But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.Proverbs 6:32 (KJV)

Whoso committeth adultery lacketh understanding; he destroyeth his own soul.

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.Matthew 5:28 (KJV)

Jesus locates adultery even in the lustful heart, not only the act.

She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.John 8:11 (KJV)

Jesus said, Neither do I condemn thee; go, and sin no more.

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 (KJV)

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us.

What this means for you today

Adultery is treated seriously because marriage is a covenant that reflects God's own faithfulness, and betraying it causes deep wounds to a spouse, a family, and one's own soul. Scripture calls clearly to faithfulness.

Yet the Bible does not leave the fallen without hope. Jesus met the woman caught in adultery with dignity and mercy, refusing to condemn her while calling her to a new life. Whatever the failure, there is forgiveness in Christ for the repentant, and grace to rebuild.

The deepest answer is Jesus

Jesus, full of grace and truth, refused to condemn the guilty and called her to freedom; he offers the same mercy and new beginning to all who come to him.

Every one of these Scriptures points beyond itself to a Person. The deepest answer the Bible gives to any human need is not a rule or a technique but Jesus Christ, who came, lived, died, and rose again so that you could be forgiven and brought home to God. He said, Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Whatever you are carrying, you do not have to carry it alone, and you do not have to make yourself clean first. You can come to him today, just as you are.

This is the good news the whole Bible is telling. We were made for God, we have all turned from him and gone our own way, and none of us can fix that on our own. But God did not leave us there. Out of love he sent his Son to take our place, bearing our wrong on the cross and rising again to open the way back to the Father. Everyone who turns to Jesus and trusts him is forgiven, given new life, and welcomed as a beloved child of God, held by a love that will never let go. That is why the Bible's answer to every topic on this page finally leads here. You can respond right now, in your own words, simply telling God you need him and asking Jesus to be your Saviour and Lord. He hears the honest prayer of anyone who comes.

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