JOSEPH W. TKACH
January 1988
Dear Friend:
Thank you for your question concerning why in Matthew
19:16-19 Jesus mentioned only six of the Ten Commandments. Does
this mean that He did away with the others?
Not at all! David said all of God's commandments are sure
and stand forever (Ps. 111:7-8).
Christ did not need to quote all of the Commandments. His
hearer knew them. All He needed to do was mention several to show
which set of commandments He was referring to as the supreme rule
of conduct -- so the person would know He was speaking of the Ten
Commandments and not the commands of the Sanhedrin.
Notice the particular Commandments Christ did mention: "Thou
shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt
not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father
and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
These explain man's responsibility to man.
Christ's hearer needed to be reminded of his duty to his
fellowman -- of how to love his neighbor. This rich young man's
refusal to use his great wealth for the good of others proved he
did not love his neighbor (Matt. 19:22).
Now notice the Commandments Christ did not refer to
directly: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt
not make unto thee any graven image ... nor serve them .... Thou
shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain .... Remember
the sabbath day, to keep it holy .... Thou shalt not covet ..."
(Ex. 20:3-8, 17). Since these Commands are not mentioned; does
this mean it is all right to worship other gods, curse, break the
Sabbath, and covet? Of course not! The Jews understood this.
Jesus inspired James to write that we must keep every point
of the law -- not just one or two, or even half of them. Anyone
who offends in one point is guilty of all (Jas. 2:10). To break
any of the Ten Commandments is to be guilty of sin (I John 3:4).
Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the
Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is our pleasure to serve
you.
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
PASTOR GENERAL