Matthew 5:27-28 says,  “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.”  Yes, that principle would apply to both men and women.

 

Potiphar’s wife looked at Joseph, and lusted after him.  Genesis 39:1-12 says, “1 And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither.  2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.  3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.  4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.  5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.  6 And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.  7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.  8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;  9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?  10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.  11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.  12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.”   The Bible makes it clear that Joseph was a very handsome man.  “Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.”  And immediately after that statement, it says, “his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.” 

 

It is probably true that men are more quick to lust after immodestly-dressed women, than women are tempted to lust after immodestly-dressed men—but immodesty is not the only cause for lust.  In the case with Joseph, he was a very handsome man.  Being the godly man that he was, and so quick to flee from immorality, it is very doubtful that he ever appeared around Potiphar’s wife dressed immodestly.  So a woman may lust after a strikingly handsome man, even though he may be very modestly-dressed. 

 

Another cause for a woman to lust after a man, is the “security” factor.  By this, I mean a man that would provide her stability and financial security.  That is a very attractive thing to a woman, and may cause her to lust after a man.  In Joseph’s case, that could have also been a factor.  Potiphar’s wife was no doubt attracted to the prosperity of Joseph—everything that he did, prospered financially.  “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.   And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.   And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.   And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.   And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat.”  Potiphar’s wife knew who was the real “brains” and “decision-maker” that was causing them to prosper—it was Joseph, not her husband.  “And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.   And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.   And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat.”  Potiphar’s wife was around the house, and she knew who was causing them to prosper.  This was no doubt another factor that caused her to lust after this man who provided them such stability and prosperity. 

 

So, yes, both men and women can look at each other and lust.  The causes of the lust may vary, but in both cases it is sin.   Jesus said that lusting is committing adultery in the heart.