What does Jesus say about the law?
Asked by: Edison Nitzsche | Last update: November 29, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (72 votes)
Matthew 5:17-20 reads as follows: 17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
How did Jesus explain the law?
Another place where Jesus summarizes the Law is in the Sermon on the Mount: 'So whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets' (Matt. 7:12). This is a different way of saying, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself', and it confirms the practical nature of 'love'.
What was Jesus' attitude toward the law?
Some scholars say that Jesus accepted the whole law. Others assert that Jesus supported the Torah, but condemned much of the oral law. They think that Jesus disregarded the oral law altogether, although it was considered by the Pharisees to be on the same level with the written law.
Did Jesus believe in laws?
Without a doubt, Jesus delighted in dispensing God's mercy to those who repented of sin. But there is no opposition between mercy and law. In fact, in so many ways, God's law is an expression of his mercy. A careful reading of the New Testament shows that Jesus was in no way opposed the law given to Moses.
What does Jesus say about the law of Moses?
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, 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.”
Did Jesus Do Away With the Old Testament Law?
What did Jesus say about following the Law?
Christ said, “If you want to enter into [eternal] life, keep the commandments.” He made sure everyone knew He meant the 10 Commandments by naming several of them in this passage of Scripture (Matthew 19:16-19). After His death and resurrection, Jesus' apostles also taught the necessity of keeping the commandments.
When did Jesus abolish the Law?
As the master teacher, Jesus emphasized the fulfillment of the law until such time that it would finally and fully be accomplished on the cross. Then, through his spirit (see Heb. 10:9-16), he would reveal that “all [things are] accomplished” and the Old Law has passed away.
Did Jesus condemn the law?
Matthew 5:17-20 reads as follows: 17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.
What is Jesus relationship to the law?
In the Expounding of the Law, Jesus said that he did not come to abolish the law or the prophets, but to fulfill (complete, end, expire) them (Matthew 5:17).
Did Jesus disobey the law?
They accused Him of breaking laws concerning the Sabbath on multiple occasions, but Jesus didn't actually break an Old Testament command. He violated the interpretations religious leaders had developed around the biblical commands of keeping the Sabbath day holy.
What is the greatest law according to Jesus?
Gospel of Matthew
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ' This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
What law is Jesus referring to in Matthew 5:17?
Jesus counters the lie that He is calling for the law of Moses to be "abolished." He tells all those who are listening His intent is not to discard the law or the Prophets. The Jewish law of Moses consisted of the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch.
What did Jesus do that the law could not do?
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
What did Jesus say about law and order?
As to the first, Jesus said, Matthew 5:17–18, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
What did Jesus mean when he said "keep my commandments"?
Here, He indicates that obedience to His commands is the primary sign of our love for Him. A person cannot claim to know Christ and hate other Christians (1 John 4:20). Nor can someone claim to know Christ while disregarding His teachings (1 John 2:4). In most earthly situations, this idea is non-controversial.
What are the two laws given by Jesus?
“'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbour as yourself. '”
What does Jesus teach about the law?
In His famous sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). He did not say that we no longer need to obey God's commandments; rather, He expanded upon how those commandments are to be obeyed.
How does Jesus summarize the law?
When asked about the Law, Jesus summarized it by saying it's loving God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength and loving our neighbors as ourselves" (Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34). Any moment we don't do this is a moment we're in sin, not following the Law.
Does Jesus want us to keep the law?
For instance, Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished” (Matthew 5:17–19).
What was Christ's relationship to the law?
, Jesus says he came to fulfill “the Law and the Prophets,” a traditional phrase that refers to the whole Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament). And he's not talking about simple obedience to the statutes. For Jesus, following the law's 613 commands matters, but to truly fulfill it, or to “fill it full,” is something more.
Does Jesus declare all food clean?
Look again at our text, Mark 7:18- 19, “Nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean, for it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and then out of his body. And saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.” Paul said the same thing about food.
Did Jesus ever sin against God's law?
So Jesus was tempted, but He the Bible also affirms that Jesus was completely sinless throughout His life on earth.
Did Jesus respect the law?
The “Law” comprised the first five books of the OT, and the “Prophets” captured the rest (see also Luke 24:27 ). The word “abolish” means “invalidate.” Jesus did not come to “do away with” or “repeal” the OT. Jesus respected the authority of the Law and the Prophets.
Did Jesus say we are no longer under the law?
There are some who argue that, since Jesus did not “abolish” the Law, then the Law is still in effect—and still binding on New Testament Christians. But Paul is clear that the believer in Christ is no longer under the Law: “We were held in custody under the Law, locked up until faith should be revealed.
What did Jesus change about the law?
Jesus only changed the interpretation of two laws. He changed the law about working on the Sabbath to mean you can work, but don't have to... It's a day for rest, but rest is not required by law - "Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."