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Exodus 20:16
Verse
Context
Sermons






Summary
Commentary
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Thou shalt not bear false witness, etc. - Not only false oaths, to deprive a man of his life or of his right, are here prohibited, but all whispering, tale-bearing, slander, and calumny; in a word, whatever is deposed as a truth, which is false in fact, and tends to injure another in his goods, person, or character, is against the spirit and letter of this law. Suppressing the truth when known, by which a person may be defrauded of his property or his good name, or lie under injuries or disabilities which a discovery of the truth would have prevented, is also a crime against this law. He who bears a false testimony against or belies even the devil himself, comes under the curse of this law, because his testimony is false. By the term neighbor any human being is intended, whether he rank among our enemies or friends.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings,.... That is, they heard the one, and saw the other; they heard the dreadful volleys of thunder, and saw the amazing flashes of lightning, which were like lamps and torches, as the word used signifies; by a communication of senses, one sense is put for another, and the sense of sight being the principal, as Ben Melech observes, it is put for the rest, and so in the following. It is an observation of Austin's (o) that to "see" is used of all of the five senses, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling: and the noise the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: they the sound of the trumpet, which made them tremble and saw the mountain all in a smoke, which made it look very terrible. Though the words may be rendered, as they are by some, "they perceived the thunders", &c. (p); had a sensible perception of them with their eyes ears, which greatly affected them, and made strong impressions upon their minds, and filled them with fear and dread: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off; their minds were not only terrified and distressed, and their bodies shook with fear; but they could not stand their ground, but were obliged to retreat, who but just before were curious to draw near, and gaze and see what they could, to prevent which bounds were set; but now these were needless, what they saw and heard were sufficient to keep them at a distance, nay, obliged them to quit their places; they were at the lower part of the mount before, and now they removed a good way from it, even to their camp, and to their tents in it, see Deu 5:30. The Targum of Jonathan says, they removed twelve miles; and so Jarchi, who observes, that this was according to the length of their camp. (o) Confess. l. 10. c. 35. (p) "percipiebant", Junius & Tremellius, "intelligebant"; so some in Drusius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:16 Not telling a lie can be a very individual act, and even a prideful one. But refusing to testify falsely against your neighbor is an unselfish act, in which your neighbor’s reputation and well-being is more important to you than your own.
Exodus 20:16
The Ten Commandments
15You shall not steal. 16You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- Scripture
- Sermons
- Commentary
Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - 1
By Zacharias Tanee Fomum2.5K1:19:51Holy SpiritEXO 20:16PSA 101:7PRO 6:16PRO 12:22ROM 12:2EPH 4:25COL 3:9In this sermon, the speaker asks the audience to reflect on what has changed in their hearts in the last five years. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and removing negative traits or behaviors that have been completely eliminated from their lives. The speaker specifically mentions lying as an example of something that should be removed. He also criticizes the prevalence of falsehood in America and encourages the audience to strive for truthfulness in all areas of their lives.
Tongue Taming
By David P. Murray1.5K52:48TongueEXO 20:16JHN 1:14JAS 3:1JAS 3:6JAS 3:14JAS 3:17In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the power and impact of our words. He uses various illustrations to emphasize how something small, like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder on a ship, can have a significant influence. The speaker warns against the destructive potential of the tongue, comparing it to a wild animal or a polluted spring full of deadly poison. He highlights how our words can set ablaze the course of our lives, causing damage to relationships and reputations. The main message is that we need to be mindful of the words we speak and strive to use them for good rather than harm.
(Hebrews) ch.3:7-4:11
By Zac Poonen1.2K1:16:45EXO 20:16MAT 6:33HEB 3:7HEB 3:17HEB 4:14In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not hardening our hearts when we hear God's voice. He refers to the example of the Israelites who rebelled against God and were not allowed to enter into His rest because of their unbelief and disobedience. The preacher warns believers against living in false security and thinking that God will ignore their sin. He highlights the threefold initiatory experience of the New Testament Christian: redemption by the blood of the Lamb, baptism in water, and receiving the Holy Spirit. The message is clear: it is not enough to start the Christian race well, but we must endure and hold fast until the end to receive the prize of salvation.
(Colossians) Staying Connected to the Head
By Brian Brodersen97256:21EXO 20:16MAT 5:17COL 2:8HEB 4:10In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of staying connected to God and not getting caught up in man-made regulations. He references verses 20-23 from the Bible, which question why people subject themselves to worldly regulations when they have died with Christ. The speaker emphasizes that religious entities with lists of rules and regulations are not of the Lord, but rather the mark of man. He encourages listeners to walk in the Spirit, stay in the Word, and do what God tells them to do in order to conquer the flesh and live a victorious life.
Check Your Weight - on the Scales of Scripture
By Erlo Stegen89557:07ScriptureEXO 20:16PSA 51:5MAT 5:3ROM 7:24In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of being bound by sin and the consequences of not repenting. He uses vivid imagery to describe the stench and bondage of sin, comparing it to a decaying corpse. The preacher warns that murderers should be bound to the corpses they have killed, causing people to think twice before committing such acts. He urges the congregation to examine themselves in the mirror of the Bible and repent, emphasizing the importance of true repentance and the consequences of not doing so.
Guidelines to Freedom Part 8 - the Truth Matters
By Alistair Begg82246:04FreedomEXO 20:16PRO 10:19PRO 17:28PRO 18:21JHN 8:44JAS 3:6In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenge of delivering things to people on time. He shares a strategy of overestimating the delivery time to avoid disappointing the recipient. The speaker then transitions to the topic of lying and how it has become an art form in our culture. He emphasizes that lying is morally wrong and foolish, even though some intelligent and influential people promote it. The sermon concludes with the reminder that righteousness and transformed lives come from the gospel and the need to accept Jesus into our hearts.
A Change of Allegiance - Part 1
By Dean Taylor76340:04EXO 20:16MAT 26:52ROM 12:21JN 3:16This sermon delves into various ethical dilemmas faced by non-resistant Christians, such as the role of deception to protect innocent lives, the ownership of assault rifles, and participation in national holidays. It emphasizes the importance of aligning actions with the teachings of Jesus and trusting in God's guidance in challenging situations.
How God Creates a Witness
By Robert B. Thompson6571:18:00EXO 20:16ISA 43:10MAT 5:39MAT 7:12MAT 22:391JN 1:1In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of trusting in God and seeking His guidance rather than relying on human understanding. They encourage the audience to rest in the Lord and be faithful to His word, even when it goes against popular opinion. The speaker also discusses the role of the church in the Christian life and the need to be a true witness of God's truth. They reference Isaiah 43 as a passage that highlights the importance of being a witness for God and trusting in His redemption.
The Ninth Commandment
By A.W. Pink0TruthfulnessThe Power of WordsEXO 20:16PSA 31:5PSA 141:3PRO 15:4PRO 18:21ZEC 8:16MAT 12:36EPH 4:15JAS 3:8REV 21:8A.W. Pink emphasizes the significance of the Ninth Commandment, which prohibits bearing false witness against our neighbor, extending its meaning beyond perjury to encompass all forms of harmful speech. He highlights the importance of truthfulness in our communication, asserting that our words can either uplift or destroy reputations, and that we must speak truth in love. Pink warns against the dangers of lying, noting that it aligns us with the nature of the Devil and is contrary to God's character as the God of Truth. He encourages believers to be mindful of their speech, to avoid unnecessary criticism, and to uphold the truth in all circumstances. Ultimately, Pink calls for a commitment to veracity as foundational to righteousness and character.
Ninth River -- Lying
By Martin Knapp0EXO 20:16PRO 12:22ISA 37:36JHN 8:44ACT 5:5EPH 4:25Martin Knapp delivers a powerful sermon on the sin of lying, emphasizing that all lies, regardless of size or intent, are abominable to God and hinder our relationship with Him. He warns that Satan deceives people into thinking there are different levels of lies, but even a half-truth is considered a black lie. Knapp stresses the importance of being truthful in all aspects of life, as God detests lies and all liars. He urges believers to examine their hearts closely to ensure they are not being deceived by the enemy.
Evil-Speaking
By Samuel Logan Brengle0Evil-SpeakingLove and CompassionEXO 20:16PRO 10:18MAT 5:44MAT 7:5EPH 4:29PHP 2:3COL 3:8TIT 3:2JAS 4:111PE 2:1Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the divine command to 'speak evil of no man' as outlined in Titus 3:2, warning that failing to adhere to this command leads to numerous spiritual evils, including backsliding and the quenching of revivals. He defines evil-speaking as lying, slandering, and gossiping about others, which not only harms the individual being spoken about but also corrupts the speaker's own soul and grieves the Holy Spirit. Brengle urges believers to consider the struggles of others, reflect on their own faults, and embody Christ-like love and compassion instead of judgment. He concludes that true love and a clean heart filled with the Holy Spirit will prevent one from speaking evil and instead inspire prayer and correction in love. The sermon calls for self-examination and a commitment to uphold the dignity of every person, as all are precious in God's sight.
Some Indirect Ways of Lying
By J.R. Miller0TruthfulnessSelf-ConceitEXO 20:16PSA 101:7PRO 6:16PRO 10:18PRO 12:22PRO 19:5JHN 8:44EPH 4:25COL 3:9JAS 3:5J.R. Miller addresses the various forms of untruthfulness, emphasizing that lies can be conveyed through tone, emphasis, and even statistics. He categorizes lies into three types: white lies, black lies, and statistics, asserting that the intention behind the words is what constitutes a lie. Exaggeration is highlighted as a common form of lying, where individuals embellish the truth, often driven by self-conceit. Miller illustrates this with the example of a young man whose self-importance distorts his perception of reality, leading him to misrepresent conversations and events. Ultimately, he suggests that such exaggeration can lead to a disconnect from the truth, as self-conceit clouds judgment.
Orthodoxy (How to Discern 3)
By Anton Bosch0EXO 20:16JOB 8:8JER 6:16JHN 5:312CO 13:1GAL 1:122TI 2:2Anton Bosch addresses the issue of individual interpretation of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of aligning our understanding with orthodox doctrine that has been established over centuries. He warns against the dangers of personal interpretation leading to false teachings and heresies, highlighting the need to rely on credible witnesses and reputable sources for doctrinal confirmation. Bosch stresses the significance of learning from the wisdom and mistakes of past generations to ensure our teachings are in line with the foundational truths of the faith.
- Adam Clarke
- John Gill
- Tyndale
Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
Thou shalt not bear false witness, etc. - Not only false oaths, to deprive a man of his life or of his right, are here prohibited, but all whispering, tale-bearing, slander, and calumny; in a word, whatever is deposed as a truth, which is false in fact, and tends to injure another in his goods, person, or character, is against the spirit and letter of this law. Suppressing the truth when known, by which a person may be defrauded of his property or his good name, or lie under injuries or disabilities which a discovery of the truth would have prevented, is also a crime against this law. He who bears a false testimony against or belies even the devil himself, comes under the curse of this law, because his testimony is false. By the term neighbor any human being is intended, whether he rank among our enemies or friends.
John Gill Bible Commentary
And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings,.... That is, they heard the one, and saw the other; they heard the dreadful volleys of thunder, and saw the amazing flashes of lightning, which were like lamps and torches, as the word used signifies; by a communication of senses, one sense is put for another, and the sense of sight being the principal, as Ben Melech observes, it is put for the rest, and so in the following. It is an observation of Austin's (o) that to "see" is used of all of the five senses, seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling: and the noise the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: they the sound of the trumpet, which made them tremble and saw the mountain all in a smoke, which made it look very terrible. Though the words may be rendered, as they are by some, "they perceived the thunders", &c. (p); had a sensible perception of them with their eyes ears, which greatly affected them, and made strong impressions upon their minds, and filled them with fear and dread: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off; their minds were not only terrified and distressed, and their bodies shook with fear; but they could not stand their ground, but were obliged to retreat, who but just before were curious to draw near, and gaze and see what they could, to prevent which bounds were set; but now these were needless, what they saw and heard were sufficient to keep them at a distance, nay, obliged them to quit their places; they were at the lower part of the mount before, and now they removed a good way from it, even to their camp, and to their tents in it, see Deu 5:30. The Targum of Jonathan says, they removed twelve miles; and so Jarchi, who observes, that this was according to the length of their camp. (o) Confess. l. 10. c. 35. (p) "percipiebant", Junius & Tremellius, "intelligebant"; so some in Drusius.
Tyndale Open Study Notes
20:16 Not telling a lie can be a very individual act, and even a prideful one. But refusing to testify falsely against your neighbor is an unselfish act, in which your neighbor’s reputation and well-being is more important to you than your own.