The Ten Commandments are God’s ten moral laws given to Moses on Mount Sinai, recorded in Exodus 20:2–17 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21. They command exclusive worship of God and love of neighbor — no other gods, no idols, no misuse of God’s name, keeping the Sabbath, honoring parents, and prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, false witness, and coveting.
The Ten Commandments — also called the Decalogue, from the Greek for “ten words” — are the most famous laws in the Bible. Spoken by God Himself and written by His own finger on two stone tablets (Exodus 31:18), they form the moral foundation not only for ancient Israel but for Judeo-Christian ethics across the centuries.
Yet for something so well known, the commandments are widely misunderstood. Many people can name only two or three. Others wonder whether Jesus abolished them, why Catholics and Protestants number them differently, or where exactly to find them in Scripture. The answers are clearer — and more encouraging — than most expect.
In this guide, you will find the complete list of the 10 Commandments in order with their plain-English meanings, exactly where they appear in the Bible, what Jesus taught about them, and answers to the ten most-asked questions about them. Whether you are studying, teaching, or simply curious, this is everything the Bible says in one place.
Where Are the 10 Commandments Found in the Bible?
The Ten Commandments appear in two places in Scripture. The fullest account is Exodus 20:2–17, where God speaks the commandments to Moses on Mount Sinai after delivering Israel from slavery in Egypt. The second account is Deuteronomy 5:6–21, where Moses repeats them to the next generation before they enter the Promised Land.
Scripture stresses that these were no ordinary laws. Exodus 31:18 says the tablets were “inscribed by the finger of God.” When Moses came down the mountain and saw Israel worshiping the golden calf, he shattered the tablets in anger (Exodus 32:19) — and God graciously wrote them a second time (Exodus 34:1). Few passages underline so vividly both God’s holiness and His mercy.
The 10 Commandments List (In Order, With Meanings)
Below is the complete list from Exodus 20, in the order most Protestant Bibles present them. Each commandment includes its reference and what it means in plain language.
1. You shall have no other gods before Me (Exodus 20:3)
God demands first place in our lives. This forbids worshiping any other deity — and, by extension, letting anything else (money, success, relationships, self) become the ultimate thing we live for. Exclusive loyalty to the one true God is the foundation of all the rest.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol (Exodus 20:4–6)
We must not reduce God to a carved image or worship anything created. This command guards against both literal idolatry and the subtler habit of reshaping God into what we wish He were, instead of worshiping Him as He truly is.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God (Exodus 20:7)
God’s name represents His character and reputation. This forbids using it flippantly, in false oaths, or to justify wrongdoing. It calls us to speak of God with reverence and to live in a way that honors His name.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8–11)
One day in seven is set apart for rest and worship, following God’s own pattern after creation. The Sabbath teaches us that our worth is not in our work, and that rest itself is an act of trust in God’s provision.
5. Honor your father and your mother (Exodus 20:12)
This is the first commandment with a promise: “so that you may live long in the land.” Honoring parents — through respect, gratitude, and care — builds stable families, and stable families build stable societies.
6. You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13)
Human life is sacred because every person bears God’s image. This forbids the unjust taking of life. Jesus deepened it further, teaching that even nursing hatred toward another violates its spirit (Matthew 5:21–22).
7. You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14)
Marriage is a covenant God Himself designed, and this command protects its exclusivity and trust. Jesus extended its reach to the heart, warning that lustful intent already breaks faithfulness (Matthew 5:27–28).
8. You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15)
Taking what belongs to another — by theft, fraud, or dishonesty — violates love of neighbor. The positive side of this command is generosity: working honestly so we have something to share with those in need.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16)
Truth matters to God, who is Himself truth. This forbids lying, slander, and gossip — anything that harms another’s reputation or perverts justice. For a deeper study of what Scripture says about dishonesty, see these Bible verses about liars and manipulators.
10. You shall not covet (Exodus 20:17)
The final commandment goes straight to the heart: do not crave your neighbor’s house, spouse, possessions, or status. Coveting is the root from which theft, adultery, and murder grow. Contentment — trusting God’s provision for you — is its cure.
What Did Jesus Say About the 10 Commandments?
Jesus did not abolish the Ten Commandments. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets,” He said; “I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17). He deepened them, showing they aim at the heart, not merely outward behavior.
When asked which commandment is greatest, Jesus summarized all ten — indeed, the whole Law — in two: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–40). The first four commandments teach love for God; the last six teach love for neighbor. Paul echoes this: the commandments “are summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Romans 13:9).
And Jesus tied obedience to love itself: “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). For Christians, the commandments are not a ladder to earn God’s favor but a loving guide for those already rescued by grace — “his commands are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3).
Why Do Catholics and Protestants Number Them Differently?
If you compare lists, you may notice Catholics and Lutherans combine “no other gods” and “no idols” into the first commandment, then split “do not covet” into two (ninth and tenth) to keep the total at ten. Most other Protestants follow the listing above, treating the idol prohibition as its own commandment.
The underlying text — Exodus 20:2–17 — is identical; only the grouping differs, following traditions traced to Augustine (Catholic/Lutheran) and others such as Philo and Calvin (Reformed). Nothing doctrinal hangs on the numbering. What matters is the substance: the same ten “words” God spoke at Sinai.
How to Remember the 10 Commandments
A simple memory aid: the commandments divide into two tablets — duties to God (1–4) and duties to people (5–10). Learn them as two short phrases: “Love God exclusively, reverently, and restfully; honor family” and “protect life, marriage, property, truth, and contentment.”
Even better, read Exodus 20 slowly once a week for a month. Hearing the commandments in God’s own voice — “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt” — fixes them in memory far better than any mnemonic. Pair your reading with prayer; if you want words to begin, these Monday morning prayers for strength can help you ask God for the grace to live them out. For more studies of biblical figures and teachings, explore our Bible character studies.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 10 Commandments
Where are the 10 Commandments in the Bible?
The Ten Commandments are recorded in full in Exodus 20:2–17 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5:6–21. Shorter summaries appear in passages like Matthew 22:37–40 and Romans 13:9.
What is the first of the 10 Commandments?
“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). It calls for exclusive devotion to the one true God above everything else in our lives.
Did Jesus abolish the Ten Commandments?
No. Jesus said He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He deepened the commandments, teaching that they govern our hearts as well as our actions, and summed them up as love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40).
Why do Catholics number the commandments differently?
Catholics and Lutherans group the prohibitions of other gods and idols as the first commandment and split coveting into the ninth and tenth, following Augustine’s tradition. The biblical text is the same; only the grouping differs.
What does “graven image” mean?
A “graven image” is a carved idol — a physical object fashioned to represent a god and worshiped in God’s place. The second commandment forbids making or worshiping such images.
What happened when Moses broke the stone tablets?
Coming down Sinai and seeing Israel worship the golden calf, Moses threw down and shattered the tablets (Exodus 32:19). God then told Moses to cut two new tablets, and He wrote the commandments on them again (Exodus 34:1).
Which is the greatest commandment?
Jesus answered: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” — and the second is like it, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39). All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two.
Are the 10 Commandments still relevant today?
Yes. While Christians are saved by grace rather than law-keeping, the commandments remain God’s timeless moral standard. James warns that breaking one point makes us guilty of breaking all (James 2:10), and John writes that God’s commands “are not burdensome” for those who love Him (1 John 5:3).
Where can I read the 10 Commandments online?
You can read Exodus 20 free on trusted Bible websites and apps in many translations. Start with Exodus 20:2–17, then compare Deuteronomy 5:6–21 to see Moses’ restatement.
What is the difference between the 10 Commandments and the 613 laws?
The Ten Commandments are the core moral law spoken directly by God. The 613 mitzvot counted in Jewish tradition include those ten plus the civil and ceremonial laws given through Moses for Israel’s national life — laws about sacrifices, purity, and governance that pointed forward to Christ.
Conclusion
The Ten Commandments are far more than ancient rules on stone. They are the personal words of a God who had just rescued His people, showing them how to live in freedom — devoted to Him alone and loving toward one another. Jesus did not discard them; He revealed their beating heart: love.
Read them slowly, take them personally, and let them lead you not to despair over failure but to gratitude for grace. “If you love me,” Jesus said, “keep my commands” (John 14:15) — and in keeping them, we discover the life God always intended for us.
I’m Emma, an AI content writer with 4 years of experience creating heartfelt prayers, Bible-based messages, blessings, and inspiring faith-filled content.