When we think of the Ten Commandments, we often think of Moses coming down off Mt. Sinai with tablets of stone, bearing writing by the very finger of God. After finding the people worshipping a golden calf, we’re told he threw down the tablets, breaking them into pieces at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32). But was that the end of the Ten Commandments?

While we might not see a conveniently compiled list of the Ten Commandments in the New Testament like we do in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, we do see through the teachings of Jesus and His disciples that we are expected to keep the Ten Commandments today. Below, the Ten Commandments are listed along with New Testament scriptures where they are referenced and taught, as well as places where they are summarized or referred to as a whole.

The First Commandment: You shall have no other gods before God

Matthew 6:24—Jesus teaches that we can only serve God.

Matthew 19:17—Jesus says there is only One (God) who is good.

Matthew 22:37-38—Jesus teaches to love God with all you have and calls this the first and greatest commandment.

Acts 14:8-15—Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes at the idea of being thought of as gods.

Acts 17:22-25—Paul shows the idols being worshipped in Athens are powerless.

Revelation 19:19-21—People killed for worshipping the beast and false prophet, among other sins.

The Second Commandment: You shall not make or worship graven images

Acts 17:28-30—Paul teaches that God is not portrayed in metal or stone

Acts 19:23-26—Paul teaches there are no man-made gods

Colossians 3:5—Paul instructs us to put away things like lust, greed and evil desires and calls those things idolatry.

Ephesians 5:5; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10—Paul teaches that those who worship idols will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

The Third Commandment: You shall not take God’s name in vain

Matthew 5:33-37—Jesus teaches that our word should be our bond. To swear by God or anything else comes from "the evil one."

Matthew 23:16-21—Jesus condemns those who swear by the temple or heaven, explaining that in doing so, they are in reality swearing by God. In calling the group hypocritical, He clearly portrays that all their swearing was done in vain.

James 5:12—James reaffirms what Jesus taught in Matthew 5:33-37

The Fourth Commandment: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy

Mark 2:27-28—Jesus explains that the Sabbath was made for man and He is Lord of the Sabbath.

Luke 4:16—Jesus keeps the Sabbath.

Acts 13:42-44; Acts 17:1-3—The disciples preach and teach on the Sabbath.

Colossians 2:16—Paul teaches not to let others condemn us for keeping the Sabbath

Hebrews 4:9—The Sabbath remains as a rest for God’s people.

The Fifth Commandment: Honor your father and your mother

Matthew 15:4, Matthew 19:19—Jesus teaches this commandment directly.

Ephesians 6:1-2—Paul teaches this commandment directly.

Colossians 3:20—Paul says it pleases God for children to obey their parents.

2 Timothy 3:2—Paul warns that during the end time, children will be disobedient to parents.

The Sixth Commandment: You shall not murder

Matthew 19:18—Jesus teaches this commandment directly.

Romans 13:9—Paul teaches this commandment directly.

Matthew 5:21-22—Jesus expounds on this commandment to include hate and anger.

Acts 22:16-20—Paul recounts his repentance of sins, including aiding in the murder of Stephen.

1 John 3:15—John teaches that murderers will not inherit eternal life.

Revelation 21:8—Murderers will be put to eternal death.

The Seventh Commandment: You shall not commit adultery

Matthew 19:18—Jesus teaches this commandment directly.

Romans 13:9—Paul teaches this commandment directly.

Matthew 19:8-9—Jesus teaches against adultery and divorce for the wrong reason.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10—Paul teaches that adulterers will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Revelation 21:8—Adulterers will be put to eternal death.

The Eighth Commandment: You shall not steal

Matthew 19:18—Jesus teaches this commandment directly.

Romans 13:9—Paul teaches this commandment directly.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10—Paul teaches that thieves will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Ephesians 4:28—Paul teaches that those who were once thieves should steal no more.

The 9th Commandment: You shall not bear false witness (lie)

Matthew 19:18—Jesus teaches this commandment directly.

Acts 5:1-10—Ananias and Sapphira die because they lied to God.

Revelation 21:8—Unrepentant liars will be put to eternal death.

The Tenth Commandment: You shall not covet

Romans 13:9—Paul teaches this commandment directly.

Matthew 6:19-21—Jesus teaches not to put hope in physical things.

Luke 12:15—Jesus teaches to be on guard against greed/covetousness.

Ephesians 5:3-5—Paul teaches that greedy/covetous people will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

James 4:1-3—James teaches that coveting leads to fights and wars.

The Ten Commandments summarized

As we can see, the New Testament is filled with instruction to keep the Ten Commandments. In addition, we see several instances where the Ten Commandments are summarized or taught in a general sort of way:

Matthew 22:37-40—Jesus summarizes the Ten Commandments into two great commands.

John 14:15—Christ teaches that if we love Him, we will obey His commands

1 Corinthians 7:19—Paul says keeping the commandments matter.

Romans 7:7—Paul reminds us that it is through the law that we know what sin is.

Romans 7:12—Paul calls the commandments "holy, just and good."

1 John 5:3—John tells us that the children of God keep His commands, and that they are not burdensome.

Revelation 14:12—The saints are commended for keeping the commandments of God.