“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus clarifies that "abolish" here means to "undo" or "dissolve" — He hasn't come to nullify the Law or the Prophets, but to bring them to their ultimate intended meaning and completion through His life and teachings. He fulfills them not by adding new rules, but by perfectly embodying and revealing the heart of God's commands.
“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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus is beginning his most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, and addressing a potential misunderstanding head-on. Before diving into his teachings, he clarifies that he hasn't come to dismantle the existing Jewish scriptures (the Law and the Prophets) but to bring them to their ultimate, intended meaning. This sets the stage for him to reinterpret and elevate the core principles of God's commands, showing how they are to be lived out in their deepest sense.
Did Jesus come to tear down the Old Testament Law or to build it up? The answer isn't as simple as 'yes' or 'no'.
Jesus directly addresses a potential misunderstanding: 'Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets.' The Greek word for 'abolish' here (katalysai) means to tear down, dissolve, or bring to an end. It implies destruction or nullification.
However, Jesus immediately clarifies his purpose: 'I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.' The word 'fulfill' (plēroō) carries a rich meaning. It signifies completing, bringing to its intended end, or making full. Jesus wasn't here to discard the Law and the Prophets; he was here to bring them to their ultimate realization and purpose.
How can one person 'fulfill' the entire Law? It involves more than just following rules.
Jesus fulfilled the Law in at least two key ways:
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His life and death were not an end to the Law's authority, but its supreme accomplishment.
Understand the original words
kataluō · Greek Verb
To destroy, tear down, or render void; in a legal or religious sense, it means to annul or invalidate the authority of a law.
nomos · Greek Noun
Usually refers to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible) or the entire body of divine instruction given to Israel.
prophētēs · Greek Noun
Individuals who spoke forth God's word; also refers to the section of the Hebrew Bible containing the prophetic writings.
plēroō · Greek Verb
To bring to completion, satisfy a requirement, or bring to full expression; Christ fulfills the Law by perfectly obeying it and being its ultimate goal.
Jesus is speaking into a context where the Law of Moses is revered, but its interpretation is heavily debated among different Jewish groups. His audience, accustomed to the Pharisees' potentially rigid or distorted readings of the Law, needs to understand that Jesus isn't tearing down God's commands but is revealing their deepest meaning and accomplishing their ultimate purpose.
c. 450 BC
Compilation of the Law
The Pentateuch, containing the Law of Moses, is largely compiled and solidified into its current form. This collection becomes the foundational text for Jewish religious life and identity.
c. 2nd Century BC - 1st Century BC
Rise of Hellenistic Influence and Sectarianism
Increased contact with Greek culture leads to internal debates within Judaism about religious observance. Various Jewish sects, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, develop distinct interpretations of the Law.
c. 20 BC - AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Ministry Begins
Jesus starts his public ministry, teaching and performing miracles. His interpretation of the Law and his relationship with religious authorities quickly become points of contention.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified, an event interpreted by his followers as the ultimate fulfillment of prophetic predictions and the ceremonial aspects of the Law. His resurrection is seen as proof of his divine authority.
c. AD 40s-60s
Apostolic Teaching on the Law
The Apostle Paul, in particular, extensively teaches on how Christ has fulfilled the Law, leading to debates about the role of Mosaic Law for Gentile believers and its continuing relevance.
This passage explains how the Law acted as a 'paid' guide to point us toward Christ, who is the fulfillment of its purpose, directly echoing Jesus' statement about fulfilling, not abolishing, the Law.
Romans 8:4This verse states that the righteous requirement of the Law is fulfilled in us who walk by the Spirit, showing how Jesus' work enables believers to live out the Law's deepest meaning, which aligns with His own fulfillment.
Colossians 2:14-17It highlights how Christ 'canceled out the written code' and fulfilled the 'shadows' of the Law by nailing it to the cross, clarifying that Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial aspects while upholding the moral core.
Luke 24:44Jesus Himself explains to His disciples that all the prophecies in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms concerning Him must be fulfilled, directly connecting His coming to the fulfillment of Scripture.
vincentMatthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
To destroy (καταλῦσαι)Lit., to loosen down, dissolve; Wyc., undo.
bensonMatthew 5:17: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil."
Matthew 5:17 . Think not that I am come to destroy — To abrogate, annul, or repeal, (which seems to be the meaning of the word καταλυσαι , here,) the law or the prophets — As your teachers do. It is manifest from the following discourse, that our Lord principally spake of the moral law, several of the precepts of which he afterward explains and vindicates from the corrupt gloss…
Jesus clarifies that "abolish" here means to "undo" or "dissolve" — He hasn't come to nullify the Law or the Prophets, but to bring them to their ultimate intended meaning and completion through His life and teachings. He fulfills them not by adding new rules, but by perfectly embodying and revealing the heart of God's commands.
Jesus is beginning his most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, and addressing a potential misunderstanding head-on. Before diving into his teachings, he clarifies that he hasn't come to dismantle the existing Jewish scriptures (the Law and the Prophets) but to bring them to their ultimate, intended meaning. This sets the stage for him to reinterpret and elevate the core principles of God's commands, showing how they are to be lived out in their deepest sense.
Jesus is beginning his most famous sermon, the Sermon on the Mount, and addressing a potential misunderstanding head-on. Before diving into his teachings, he clarifies that he hasn't come to dismantle the existing Jewish scriptures (the Law and the Prophets) but to bring them to their ultimate, intended meaning. This sets the stage for him to reinterpret and elevate the core principles of God's commands, showing how they are to be lived out in their deepest sense.
"“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." — Jesus clarifies that "abolish" here means to "undo" or "dissolve" — He hasn't come to nullify the Law or the Prophets, but to bring them to their ultimate intended meaning and completion through His…
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Last reviewed October 2026