Biblical Crimes
LeAndra N. Jackson
Liberty University
CJUS 400: Criminal Law
Judge Scott Naus
August 7, 2025
Biblical Crimes
In biblical law, moral instructions focus on unwavering obedience. Adultery is
condemned by Exodus 20:14, which says, “You shall not commit adultery” (New International
Bible, 1978/2011, Exodus 20:14). This instruction highlights the biblical expectation of marital
faithfulness. Furthermore, theft is similarly prohibited in Exodus 20:15, as it states, “You shall
not steal”, and kidnapping is treated as an extension of theft in Exodus 21:16 which says,”
Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death,6whether the victim has been sold6or is still in
the kidnapper’s possession (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Exodus 20:15; Exodus 21:16).
While biblical statutes emphasize moral prohibition without formal legal procedures, modern
criminal law incorporates structured analysis. In today’s world, criminal liability requires both
actus reus and mens rea to establish criminal fault (Gardner & Anderson, 2018, p. 2). This
structured legal model is illustrated by German Criminal Code (StGB) § 242, which addresses
theft as the intentional and unauthorized taking of another’s movable property with the intent to
permanently deprive the owner (German Criminal Code, 1871/2021). Such structured legal
principles deeply contrast with biblical moral decrees, highlighting moral judgment over
structured proof.
In Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, theft is steadily prosecuted as a comparative law study
found it to be the most frequently charged criminal offense, reflecting serious impacts on
property rights and public social trust (Miśkiewicz & Vadokas, 2024, pp. 289-293). By contrast,
while adultery is morally reprimanded in scripture, criminal enforcement of adultery today is
nonexistent under modern German law but is addressed through civil remedies and reconciliation
practices. The biblical approach emphasizes restitution and accountability, as seen in Exodus
22:2-3, whereas German statutory law focuses on intent and valuation under a statutory
framework (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Exodus 22:2-3). From the standpoint of ethical
and legal perspectives, theft should continue to be treated as a crime as it violates biblical
commands and the regulations of society that protect property rights. Adultery, while morally
reprimanded in scripture, is more appropriately managed through community-based restorative
means and personal accountability rather than criminal courts, which align with the
contemporary values of individual freedom and privacy. Additionally, Luke 17:1 emphasizes the
seriousness of wrongdoing while offering a framework for moral accountability, as it says, “Jesus
said to his disciples:6“Things that cause people to stumble6are bound to come, but woe to anyone
through whom they come” (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Luke 17:1).
Finally, theft should remain categorized under statutory law and be consistent with
biblical teaching and social standards. Adultery, in contrast, should be addressed through
community responses that emphasize mercy and reconciliation over criminalization.
References
Gardner, T. J., & Anderson, T. M. (2018).6Criminal law6(13th ed.).6Cengage Learning.
https://ng.cengage.com/static/nb/ui/evo/index.html?
deploymentId=5680542456081257383138347567&eISBN=9781305966413&id=246745
3692&snapshotId=4648202&
German Criminal Code (StGB) § 242 (1871). Retrieved from https://www.gesetze-im-
internet.de/englisch_stgb/englisch_stgb.html#p2322
Miśkiewicz,6A., &6Vadokas,6A.6(2024).6Models of Criminal Liability of a Plurality of
Perpetrators under Polish and German Criminal Law: Comparative Approach.6Annales de
la Faculté de Droit d’Istanbul,60(74),6271
305.6https://doi.org/10.26650/annales.2024.74.0012
New International Bible. (2011). The NIV Bible.6https://www.thenivbible.com 6 (Original work
published 1978)
Replies:
The discussion provides a thoughtful examination of biblical and California legal views on rape
and adultery, which clearly outline the key elements and their relevance. Highlighting
Deuteronomy 22:25-27 and California Penal Code § 261 effectively illustrates how both biblical
and modern laws condemn rape, although with different penalties. Expanding on this discussion,
biblical law often prioritizes moral imperatives and restitution, as seen in broader Old Testament
teachings like Exodus 22:2-3, which highlights accountability and repair rather than solely
corrective measures (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Exodus 22:2-3). This approach
contrasts with modern legal systems that utilize structured elements such as actus reus and mens
rea to define criminal liability (Gardner & Anderson, 2018, p. 2).
Regarding adultery, its biblical prohibition compared with its absence as a criminal offense in
California aligns with evolving societal values around personal privacy. This contrast shows
wider trends in comparative law. For example, German law, like California law, excludes
adultery from criminal statutes and instead handles it through civil law and family court methods
that can include reconciliation and restoration efforts (Miśkiewicz & Vadokas, 2024, pp. 289-
293). This restorative practice aligns with biblical commands to forgive and pursue peace, such
as Luke 17:1, which warns against causing others to stumble, but calls for accountability mixed
with grace (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Luke 17:1).
Therefore, understanding both the biblical principles and contemporary legal standards
highlights the continuous need to balance justice, mercy, and societal values in addressing
offenses like rape and adultery.
This discussion provides a thoughtful comparison of biblical and Tennessee legal perspectives on
theft and bearing false witness, highlighting key elements such as intent, wrongful taking, and
appropriate penalties. This analysis aligns with biblical teachings that highlight moral
wrongdoing and restitution, demonstrated in Exodus 22:2-3, which calls for accountability and
repair of harm rather than solely corrective measures (New International Bible, 1978/2011,
Exodus 22:2-3). This biblical focus contrasts with modern legal systems that utilize structured
elements such as actus reus and mens rea to define criminal liability (Gardner & Anderson, 2018,
p. 2). Furthermore, the exclusion of adultery from criminal statutes in contemporary law reflects
similar legal trends in other jurisdictions, such as Germany, where adultery is addressed through
civil law and family court methods that can include reconciliation and restoration efforts
(Miśkiewicz & Vadokas, 2024, pp. 289-293). This approach shows a balance between justice and
mercy shown in Luke 17:1, which warns against causing others to stumble, but calls for
accountability mixed with grace (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Luke 17:1). Overall,
integrating biblical principles with modern legal frameworks highlights the importance of
combining restitution and restorative justice when addressing offenses like theft and false
testimony.
heavilyFor the moment, adultery is not a criminal offense under German law; instead,
marital infidelity is handled through civil law and personal reconciliation rather than criminal
indictment. In a recent comparative law study, it was found that theft remains one of the most
prosecuted offenses under German criminal law, with a high social and legal priority due to its
impact on personal property rights and public trust (Miśkiewicz & Vadokas, 2024, pp. 289-293).
The biblical interpretation of theft emphasizes restitution and moral accountability, whereas
German law focuses on intent and valuation under statutory criteria. From the standpoint of
morals and lawful correctness, theft remains a crime considering present standards, as it both
violates biblical commands and the regulations of society that protect property rights. However,
while adultery is morally reprimanded in scripture, criminal enforcement of adultery today
would conflict with other modern principles that protect privacy and individual freedom. If a
relational approach were used, it would align better with the contemporary values of the culture
and biblical teachings that highlight mercy and reconciliation. Luke 17:1 emphasizes the
seriousness of wrongdoing while offering a framework for moral accountability, as it says, “Jesus
said to his disciples:6“Things that cause people to stumble6are bound to come, but woe to anyone
through whom they come” (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Luke 17:1).
Lastly, theft should continue to be looked at as a criminal offense and be consistent with
biblical teaching and adultery should be addressed through community-based restorative means
and personal accountability rather than criminal courts.
This verse presents a comprehensible commandment that forbids individuals from
voluntarily offering sexual relations between a married person and someone other than their
spouse, that shows the importance of moral uprightness in the Bible. By contrast, modern
criminal systems require two formal elements such as the actus reus and mens rea to establish
guilt The theft statute in Modern criminal law in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany is considerably
different as it criminalizes theft under the German Criminal Code (StGB) § 242 (German
Criminal Code, 1871/2021). It illustrates this contrast, requiring not only the physical taking of
property but also proof of intent to permanently deprive the owner of it. as it prohibits
unauthorized removal of property,
In Exodus 20:14, there is a biblical commandment that prohibits individuals from
voluntarily offering sexual relations between a married person and someone other than their
spouse, as it states, “You shall not commit adultery” (New International Bible, 1978/2011,
Exodus 20:14). Likewise, in Exodus 20:15 theft is condemned as it prohibits unauthorized
removal of property, as it states, “You shall not steal”, and in some ancient interpretations,
kidnapping can be included in the context of theft during biblical times which is found in Exodus
21:16, as it states,” Anyone who kidnaps someone is to be put to death,6whether the victim has
been sold6or is still in the kidnapper’s possession (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Exodus
20:15; Exodus 21:16).
Modern criminal law in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany is considerably different as it
criminalizes theft under the German Criminal Code (StGB) § 242, theft happens when an
individual intentionally takes movable property belonging to another without consent and with
intent to appropriate it unlawfully (German Criminal Code, 1871/2021). In Rheinland-Pfalz,
Germany theft attempts are equally punishable (Lewik, 2021). For the moment, adultery is not a
criminal offense under German law; instead, marital infidelity is handled through civil law and
personal reconciliation rather than criminal indictment. In recent comparative legal studies that
underscore theft remains one of the most prosecuted offenses under German criminal law, with a
high social and legal priority due to its impact on personal property rights and public trust.
(Miśkiewicz & Vadokas, 2024, pp. 289-293). In contrast to theft, adultery in the Western
jurisdictions of the world is largely regulated, which highlights the modern prominence on self-
direction.
From the standpoint of morals and lawful correctness, theft remains a crime considering
present standards, as it both violates biblical commands and the regulations of society which
protects property rights. However, while adultery is morally reprimanded in scripture, criminal
enforcement of adultery today would conflict with other modern principles that protect privacy
and individual freedom. If a relational approach was used, it would align better with the
contemporary values of the culture and biblical teachings that highlight mercy and reconciliation.
A passage that emphasizes the gravity of causing harm, such as theft, while also highlighting the
biblical ethic of preventing wrongdoing and promoting accountability is found in Luke 17:1,
which states,” Jesus said to his disciples:6“Things that cause people to stumble6are bound to
come, but woe to anyone through whom they come” (New International Bible, 1978/2011, Luke
17:1). Lastly, theft should continue to be looked at as a criminal offense and be consistent with
biblical condemnation and public order. Adultery, which is a moral problem, should not be
criminally prosecuted in modern law, but instead should create a source of community, family,
and church based restorative programs that offer a biblical and culturally appropriate response.
