Charles Ellicott Commentary Matthew 5:27

"Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not commit adultery:" — Matthew 5:27 (ASV)

By them of old time — This phrase is omitted in the best manuscripts. If it is retained, it should be translated as it was before: to the ancients. It was probably inserted for conformity with Matthew 5:21.

Here, the words are simply those of the divine commandment, but they are presented as they were taught in the Rabbinic schools: with a narrow, literal interpretation, lacking any perception that this commandment was also exceeding broad. As before, it is this teaching that our Lord contrasts with His own.