Exodus 20:13 ESV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 20:12-17

We have here the laws of the second table, as they are commonly called, the last six of the ten commandments, comprehending our duty to ourselves and to one another, and constituting a comment upon the second great commandment, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. As religion towards God is an essential branch of universal righteousness, so righteousness towards men is an essential branch of true religion. Godliness and honesty must go together. I. The fifth commandment concerns the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill. Not meaning any sort of creatures, for there are some to be killed for the food and nourishment of men, and others for their safety and preservation; but rational creatures, men, women, and children, any of the human species, of every age, sex, condition, or nation; no man has a right to take away his own life, or the life of another; by this law is forbidden suicide, or self-murder, parricide or murder of parents, homicide or the murder of man; yet killing of men in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill - This commandment, which is general, prohibits murder of every kind. All actions by which the lives of our fellow creatures may be abridged. All wars for extending empire, commerce, etc. All sanguinary laws, by the operation of which the lives of men may be taken away for offenses of comparatively trifling demerit. All bad dispositions which lead men to wish evil to, or meditate mischief against, one another; for, says the Scripture, He that hateth his brother... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:13

Verse 13 The sum of this Commandment is, that we should not unjustly do violence to any one. In order, however, that God may the better restrain us from all injury of others, He propounds one particular form of it, from which men’s natural sense is abhorrent; for we all detest murder, so as to recoil from those whose hands are polluted with blood, as if they carried contagion with them. Undoubtedly God would have the remains of His image, which still shine forth in men, to continue in some... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The ten commandments collectivety. The ten commandments form a summary of our main duties towards God, and towards man. They stand out from the rest of the Old Testament in a remarkable way. 1 . They were uttered audibly by a voice which thousands heard—a voice which is called that of God himself ( Deuteronomy 5:26 ) and which filled those who heard it with a terrible fear ( Exodus 20:19 ). 2 . They were the only direct utterance ever made by God to man under the Old Covenant. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The ten commandments severally. THE FIRST COMMANDMENT . To the Christian the First Commandment takes the form which our Lord gave it—"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all-thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment' ( Matthew 22:37 , Matthew 22:38 ). Not merely abstract belief, not merely humble acknowledgment of one God is necessary, but heartfelt devotion to the One Object worthy of our devotion, the One Being in all the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-18

The moral law-General survey. View this law of the ten commandments as— I. AUTHORITATIVELY DELIVERED . "God spake all these words, saying," etc. ( Exodus 20:1 ). An authoritative revelation of moral law was necessary— 1 . That man might be made distinctly aware of the compass of his obligations . The moral knowledge originally possessed by man had gradually been parted with. What remained was distorted and confused. He had little right knowledge of his duty to God, and very... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13

Thou shalt not kill . Here again is a moral precept included in all codes, and placed by all in a prominent position. Our first duty towards our neighbour is to respect his life. When Cain slew Abel, he could scarcely have known what he was doing; yet a terrible punishment was awarded him for his transgression ( Genesis 4:11-14 ). After the flood, the solemn declaration was made, which thenceforward became a universal law among mankind—"Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13

The second table. Fraternal relations; the outward-looking aspect of life. May classify them either According to I. ITS BEARING ON ACTIONS . Murder, the criminal taking of life, varies in character; according to the nature of the life destroyed and according to the nature of the action of the destroyer. Life is threefold, of the body , of the mind , and of the spirit : and murder, as against each, may be deliberate or careless , resulting from action or from ... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 20:12-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 20:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 20:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:1-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 20:13

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