In Matthew 5:17–20, Jesus addresses His relationship to the Law and the Prophets, a critical aspect of the Sermon on the Mount. His words clarify misconceptions about His mission and set the stage for the deeper ethical and spiritual teachings that follow. Jesus declares that He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them, a statement that underscores His role as the Messiah and the ultimate revelation of God’s purposes. This essay will explore the meaning of Jesus’ teaching, examine its implications for believers, and address how His fulfillment of the Law reflects the unity of Scripture and God’s redemptive plan.
Words: 1481 / Time to read: 8 minutes
The Context of Jesus’ Declaration
The Law and the Prophets, a phrase often used to describe the entire Old Testament, represent God’s revelation to Israel. The Law, given through Moses, provided instructions for holy living and established Israel as God’s covenant people (Exodus 19:5–6). The Prophets, through their writings, called Israel to faithfulness and pointed forward to the coming of the Messiah and His kingdom.
In Jesus’ day, the religious leaders, particularly the Pharisees and scribes, were meticulous in their observance of the Law. However, their focus on external rituals often overshadowed the heart of God’s commands. Against this backdrop, Jesus emphasizes the enduring significance of the Law and His mission to fulfill it.
Jesus’ Relationship to the Law
1. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets” (Matthew 5:17).
Jesus begins by dispelling any notion that His teachings or ministry aim to nullify the Old Testament. Far from abolishing the Law, He affirms its authority and enduring relevance. In doing so, Jesus demonstrates His respect for Scripture and its divine origin. As Paul later writes in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.”
This declaration counters accusations that Jesus’ teachings contradicted or replaced the Law. Instead, He positions Himself as the fulfillment of God’s promises, bringing the Law and the Prophets to their intended culmination.
2. “I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them” (Matthew 5:17).
The word “fulfill” (plēroō in Greek) conveys the idea of completion, bringing something to its intended purpose. Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets in several ways:
- Through His Life and Ministry: Jesus perfectly obeyed the Law, living a sinless life and meeting its righteous requirements (1 Peter 2:22). His obedience demonstrated the holiness God desires and set an example for His followers.
- Through His Teaching: Jesus deepened the understanding of the Law, revealing its true spiritual intent. For instance, He taught that anger is the root of murder (Matthew 5:21–22) and that lust is equivalent to adultery (Matthew 5:27–28). His teachings go beyond external behavior to address the condition of the heart.
- Through His Death and Resurrection: Jesus’ sacrificial death fulfilled the requirements of the sacrificial system, providing atonement for sin once and for all. Hebrews 10:12 states, “But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God.”
- Through Prophecy: Jesus’ life fulfilled numerous Messianic prophecies, such as His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:22–23), His suffering and death (Isaiah 53; Matthew 27), and His resurrection (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:31).
By fulfilling the Law and the Prophets, Jesus reveals their ultimate purpose: to point to Him as the Savior and King.
The Enduring Authority of Scripture
3. “Until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished” (Matthew 5:18).
Jesus underscores the permanence of God’s Word, affirming that even the smallest details of the Law remain valid until their purpose is fully realized. The reference to the “smallest letter” (likely the Hebrew yod) and the “least stroke of a pen” emphasizes the precision and reliability of Scripture.
This statement reminds believers of the enduring relevance of God’s Word. While Christ’s fulfillment of the Law means that some aspects, such as the sacrificial system, are no longer practiced (Hebrews 8:13), the moral and ethical principles of the Law continue to guide God’s people.
4. “Anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19).
Jesus warns against minimizing or disregarding God’s commands. Faithfulness to Scripture, even in the smallest matters, reflects a heart committed to honoring God. James 2:10 reminds us, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.”
However, Jesus also distinguishes between obedience as a response to God’s grace and legalism that seeks to earn favor with God. While believers are called to obey God’s commands, their salvation rests on Christ’s righteousness, not their own efforts (Ephesians 2:8–9).
Exceeding the Righteousness of the Pharisees
5. “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).
This statement would have shocked Jesus’ audience, as the Pharisees were known for their meticulous observance of the Law. Yet, their righteousness was largely external, focused on rituals and traditions rather than a transformed heart. Jesus calls for a deeper, internal righteousness that comes from a relationship with God.
The righteousness Jesus describes is not attainable through human effort but is a gift of God’s grace. As Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Through faith in Christ, believers are justified and empowered to live according to God’s will.
The Law and the New Covenant
Jesus’ fulfillment of the Law marks the transition from the old covenant to the new covenant. Under the old covenant, obedience to the Law was required to maintain a relationship with God, and sacrifices were necessary to atone for sin. Under the new covenant, established through Christ’s death and resurrection, believers are no longer under the Law but under grace (Romans 6:14).
This does not mean that the Law is irrelevant. Rather, its moral principles are written on the hearts of believers through the Holy Spirit (Jeremiah 31:33; Hebrews 10:16). The new covenant empowers believers to live in obedience to God, not out of obligation but out of love and gratitude.
Practical Implications for Believers
Jesus’ teaching on the Law and the Prophets carries several implications for Christians today:
- A High View of Scripture: Believers are called to honor and uphold the authority of God’s Word, recognizing its relevance and reliability. This includes studying Scripture diligently and applying its principles to daily life (2 Timothy 2:15).
- Christ-Centered Living: Jesus is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets, and all of Scripture points to Him. Believers should strive to know Him more deeply and reflect His character in their lives.
- Righteousness by Grace: True righteousness comes not from external works but from a transformed heart. Believers are called to pursue holiness, relying on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance.
- Obedience as Worship: Obeying God’s commands is an act of worship that brings Him glory. As Jesus said in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” This obedience flows from a heart of love and gratitude for God’s grace.
Conclusion
Jesus’ declaration that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets reveals His divine mission and the unity of God’s redemptive plan. Far from abolishing Scripture, Jesus brings it to its ultimate purpose, demonstrating that every command and prophecy finds its meaning in Him. His teaching challenges believers to pursue a righteousness that exceeds external observance, rooted in a heart transformed by God’s grace.
For Christians today, Jesus’ words call for a high view of Scripture, a Christ-centered faith, and a life of obedience as an act of worship. As we study His teaching, may we grow in our understanding of God’s Word and our love for the Savior who fulfilled it perfectly.
“For Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
For Further Reference: A Detailed Study on the Entire Sermon on the Mount
