But I say unto you, That whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
All Commentaries on Matthew 5:28 Go To Matthew 5
John Chrysostom
AD 407
Hom. xvii: The Lord having explained how much is contained in the first commandment, namely, “Thou shalt not kill,” proceeds in regular order to the second.
If you permit yourself to gaze often on fair countenances you will assuredly betaken, even though you may be able to command your mind twice or thrice. For you are not exalted above nature and the strength of humanity. She too who dresses and adorns herself for the purpose of attracting men’s eyes to her, though her endeavor should fail, yet shall she be punished hereafter; seeing she mixed the poison and offered the cup, though none was found who would drink thereof. For what the Lord seems to speak only to the man, is of equal application to the woman; inasmuch as when He speaks to the head, the warningis meant for the whole body.
