Are the 10 Commandments Found in the New Testament?

The New Testament and the Ten Commandments

The phrase “Ten Commandments” does not appear in the New Testament. However, nine out of the ten commandments listed in Exodus 20:1-17 are reaffirmed in some form throughout the New Testament. The only exception is the fourth commandment, which deals with keeping the Sabbath day—this one is not repeated as a binding requirement for Christians under the New Covenant.

The Ten Commandments, Jesus, and Paul

When Jesus summarizes our moral responsibilities to others, He quotes four of the Ten Commandments in His conversation with the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-19). Likewise, the apostle Paul repeatedly refers to the commandments in his letters. Sometimes, he states them explicitly, as in Romans 13:9.

For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Romans 13:9, NLT)

At other times, he references them more subtly. In 1 Timothy 1:8–10, for instance, Paul lists behaviors that violate specific commandments: “Those who kill their fathers or mothers” (5th and 6th), “murderers” (6th), “the sexually immoral” (7th), “kidnappers” (8th), and “liars and perjurers” (9th). Though Paul emphasizes freedom from the letter of the law, he upholds its moral principles.

The Ten Commandments and their New Testament counterparts:

1. Do not worship any other gods – 1 Corinthians 8:6; 1 Timothy 2:5
2. Do not make idols – 1 John 5:21
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord – 1 Timothy 6:1
4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy – While the New Testament references Sabbath observance among Jews during Jesus’ time, it never commands Sabbath-keeping for believers in the church age. Colossians 2:16 explicitly frees Christians from Sabbath regulations. Hebrews 4:1-11 further explains that Jesus Himself is our true Sabbath rest.
5. Honor your father and mother – Ephesians 6:1-2
6. Do not murder – Romans 13:9; 1 Peter 4:15
7. Do not commit adultery – 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
8. Do not steal – Ephesians 4:28
9. Do not give false testimony – Revelation 21:8
10. Do not covet – Colossians 3:5

The New Testament on Why the Law was Given

The Old Testament law served to define sin (Romans 7:7) and to reveal our need for grace (Romans 3:20). Jesus came to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17), and because of His perfect life and sacrificial death, the law is no longer binding on believers. As Paul writes, Christ brought the Old Covenant to its intended conclusion (Romans 10:4; Galatians 3:23-25; Ephesians 2:15). Jesus inaugurated a new covenant, fulfilling what the Old anticipated and ushering in a new era of God’s redemptive plan.

Application for Today

Today, Christians are not under the Law of Moses, which includes the Ten Commandments, but under the law of Christ (Galatians 5:1-6:18). This law is fulfilled through love—loving God and loving others (Matthew 22:36-40). When we walk in the Spirit, we naturally align with God’s moral character. Commands like “Do not murder” and “Do not steal” are practical expressions of love. And as Paul says, the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, and more—embodies a life that honors God, and there is no law against these things (Galatians 5:23).

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