Colossians 2:17
These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that while Old Testament practices were like a "shadow," pointing towards future realities, the "substance" isn't just related to Christ, but truly is Christ. This means Christ Himself is the very reality these shadows foreshadowed, not merely something that comes after them.
Paul is contrasting the hollow, man-made religious systems that some in Colossae were embracing with the fullness found in Christ. He argues that the Old Testament laws regarding food, festivals, and the Sabbath were merely shadows, pointing forward to the reality that is now present in Jesus. To cling to these shadows after the substance has arrived is to miss the point entirely.
Why did God give ancient Israel all those rules about food, festivals, and special days? They weren't just arbitrary laws.
The verse calls Old Testament practices like dietary laws, festivals, and Sabbaths "a shadow." Think of a shadow: it shows the shape of something real, but it’s not the thing itself. It has no substance, no life. These ancient practices were like that for Israel. They pointed forward to something much greater, something real and substantial that would come later.
This helps us understand why Paul tells the Colossians not to let others judge them based on these things. The 'shadows' they were clinging to had already been fulfilled in Christ. Obsessing over them now was like admiring a shadow when the person casting it is standing right in front of you!
If the Old Testament practices were just shadows, what was the 'real deal' they pointed to?
The verse declares, 'but the body is of Christ.' This is the punchline! Everything the Old Testament shadows prefigured – redemption, forgiveness, God's presence, true worship – is found in its fullness in Jesus Christ. He is not just a pointer to salvation; He is salvation.
The 'body' or 'substance' refers to the reality, the very essence of what those shadows represented. The rituals and laws of the Old Covenant had their purpose, but their true meaning and power are embodied in Christ. He is the fulfillment of all God's promises and the mediator through whom we have true access to God.
Understand the original words
skia · Greek Noun
A temporary, faint representation or outline of an object, used in Scripture to describe Old Testament ceremonial laws that prefigured the reality found in Christ.
soma · Greek Noun
The body or reality itself, as opposed to a mere outline or image; it represents the fulfillment of divine promises and ceremonial types in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The Old Testament's rituals and festivals, while divinely given, were temporary 'shadows' pointing to Jesus. When Christ came, the 'substance' arrived, making those shadows obsolete for believers.
~1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God rescues the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, establishing the Mosaic covenant and giving them laws, including rituals and dietary regulations.
~1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
The united monarchy under King David flourishes, centralizing worship in Jerusalem and setting the stage for the temple built by Solomon.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile many Israelites. This period marks a profound spiritual crisis and reevaluation of their identity and relationship with God.
539 BC
Cyrus Allows Return from Exile
The Persian King Cyrus the Great issues a decree permitting the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. AD 30-33
This passage directly references the Old Testament tabernacle as a 'copy and shadow of the heavenly things,' echoing the imagery of Colossians 2:17 and highlighting the symbolic nature of Old Covenant rituals.
Hebrews 10:1Here, the law is described as having 'only a shadow of the good things to come,' not the true form of those realities, which strongly parallels Paul's point that Christ is the substance, not the shadow.
John 1:14This verse states that 'the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth,' showing how Christ embodies the reality and truth that the Old Testament shadows prefigured.
Galatians 3:23-25Paul explains that the law acted as a 'guardian' or 'custodian' leading us to Christ, indicating that its purpose was temporary, a shadow pointing to the reality found in Christ.
barnesColossians 2:17: "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
Which are a shadow of things to come - See the notes at Hebrews 8:5 ; Hebrews 10:1 , note. They were only a dim outline of future things, not the reality. But the body is of Christ - The reality, the substance. All that they signified is of or in Christ. Between those things themselves which are in Christ, and those which only represented or prefigured them, there is as much difference as there is between a body…
vincentColossians 2:17: "Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ."
Which areExplanatory. Seeing they are. Referring to all the particulars of Colossians 2:16.Shadow of things to comeShadow, not sketch or outline, as is shown by body following. The Mosaic ritual system was to the great verities of the Gospel what the shadow is to the man, a mere general type or resemblance.The body is Christ'sThe substance belongs to the Christian economy. It is derived from Christ, and can be r…
The verse highlights that while Old Testament practices were like a "shadow," pointing towards future realities, the "substance" isn't just related to Christ, but truly is Christ. This means Christ Himself is the very reality these shadows foreshadowed, not merely something that comes after them.
Paul is contrasting the hollow, man-made religious systems that some in Colossae were embracing with the fullness found in Christ. He argues that the Old Testament laws regarding food, festivals, and the Sabbath were merely shadows, pointing forward to the reality that is now present in Jesus. To cling to these shadows after the substance has arrived is to miss the point entirely.
Paul is contrasting the hollow, man-made religious systems that some in Colossae were embracing with the fullness found in Christ. He argues that the Old Testament laws regarding food, festivals, and the Sabbath were merely shadows, pointing forward to the reality that is now present in Jesus. To cling to these shadows after the substance has arrived is to miss the point entirely.
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"These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." — The verse highlights that while Old Testament practices were like a "shadow," pointing towards future realities, the "substance" isn't just related to Christ, but truly is Christ. This means Chri…
