Matthew 5:27-28 (KJV) states: "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart."

This passage is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus delivers a series of teachings to his disciples and the crowd gathered to hear him. In this specific verse, Jesus addresses the commandment against adultery from the Old Testament, and extends it to include the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

The context of this verse is important to understand. At the time of Jesus, Jewish society was deeply patriarchal and saw women as property. Adultery was prohibited in the Ten Commandments, but it was commonly understood as a physical act of a man having sexual relations with a woman who was not his wife. However, Jesus challenges this limited understanding by declaring that even the act of looking at a woman lustfully constitutes adultery in the heart. This brings attention to the internal aspects of sin and righteousness, rather than just external actions.

The primary theme of this verse is the importance of purity of heart and the recognition of the holistic nature of sin. Jesus emphasizes that sin is not merely about outward actions, but also about the intentions and desires of the heart. This challenges the common misconception that following the law only involves observing external behavior. Instead, it requires an internal transformation and purity of heart.

The broader context of the Sermon on the Mount reveals Jesus' radical teachings on righteousness, mercy, humility, and love. This verse is an example of Jesus challenging the traditional interpretation of the law and bringing attention to the need for internal righteousness and purity. It shifts the focus from legalistic adherence to the law to a deeper understanding of the heart and intentions.

Symbolism in this verse is expressed through the concept of the heart. In biblical and ancient Jewish thought, the heart was not just a physical organ, but the center of a person's being, including their thoughts, emotions, and intentions. The heart symbolizes the innermost core of a person's existence. When Jesus speaks of committing adultery in the heart, he is not speaking of the physical organ, but of a person's innermost desires and intentions. This symbolizes the importance of inner purity and righteousness, as well as the need for transformation from within.

This verse also speaks to the universal struggle of humanity with temptation and the constant battle between the flesh and the spirit. It acknowledges that the heart and mind are the battleground for sin and temptation. By addressing the issue of lust and adultery at its root in the heart, Jesus presents a higher standard of righteousness that calls for transformation from within.

In conclusion, Matthew 5:27-28 in the King James Version provides a profound commentary on the nature of sin and righteousness. It challenges the traditional interpretation of the law and emphasizes the importance of internal purity and transformation. This verse calls for a deeper understanding of the heart and the recognition of the holistic nature of sin. It symbolizes the universal struggle with temptation and the call to transform the innermost desires and intentions. Ultimately, it points to the need for a righteousness that goes beyond outward actions and encompasses the purity of heart.