Breakdown of Matthew 5:17-20

"“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…" — Jesus clarifies that he didn't come to get rid of the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This fulfillment isn't just about obeying the rules, but about bringing them to their ultimate meanin…

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Matthew 5:17-20

What does Matthew 5:17-20 mean?

Jesus clarifies that he didn't come to get rid of the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them. This fulfillment isn't just about obeying the rules, but about bringing them to their ultimate meaning and purpose through his life, teachings, and ultimate sacrifice.

“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. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

English Standard Version (ESV)

What Matthew 5:17-20 means

Jesus is about to launch into a series of teachings that will dramatically reframe the understanding of the Law and the Prophets, going beyond the interpretations of the religious leaders of the day. He anticipates that his followers might think his radical explanations will abolish the foundational teachings of their faith. Therefore, he begins by asserting that his purpose is not to dismantle the Law or the Prophets but to fully bring them to their intended meaning and completion.

Jesus's Radical Reinterpretation, Not Replacement

Did Jesus come to scrap the Old Testament Law and start fresh? He says absolutely not. But His teaching often sounded radically different from what people were used to.

Jesus’s core message here is that He didn't come to tear down God's Law or the teachings of the Prophets. The word 'destroy' (Greek: katalysai) suggests dismantling, dissolving, or making something invalid. Jesus was emphatic: that was not His mission.

Instead, He came to 'fulfill' them. This word ('plēroō' in Greek) doesn't just mean to complete a task, but to fill something up, to bring it to its fullest meaning and intended purpose. Jesus showed that the Law and Prophets, while given by God, had often been misunderstood or narrowly applied by religious leaders of the day. He wasn't abolishing their authority; He was revealing their deepest intent and highest expression, often through His own perfect obedience and teaching.

The Law's Enduring Authority, Not Its Letter

Jesus's words here might sound like a defense of the old ways. But His teaching immediately dives into interpretations that shocked people. How can both be true?

Jesus clarifies His relationship with the Law, emphasizing its lasting significance. He wasn't discarding the Law or the Prophets; He was upholding their divine authority and intention. However, He was also challenging the human interpretations that had often missed the mark.

Think about it: many Jewish leaders had added layers of their own rules and regulations, often making the Law a heavy burden rather than a path to life. Jesus came to cut through those layers and reveal the Law's true, profound meaning. He fulfilled the Law not by just following the letter of the commands, but by embodying its spirit and intent – a spirit of radical love, justice, and mercy. His life and teachings demonstrate the ultimate 'why' behind God's commands.

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What Matthew 5:17-20 means

The original words in Matthew 5:17-20

abolishκαταλύω

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.

Lawνόμος

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.

Prophetsπροφήτης

prophētēs · Greek Noun

Individuals who spoke forth God's word; also refers to the section of the Hebrew Bible containing the prophetic writings.

fulfillπληρόω

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.

trulyἀμήν

amēn · Greek Adverb

A solemn affirmation or declaration of truth (Amen), emphasizing the absolute certainty and authority of the statement that follows.

earthγῆ

gē · Greek Noun

The physical world inhabited by humans, often contrasted with heaven; it is the arena where God's redemptive history unfolds.

iotaἰῶτα

iōta · Greek Noun

The smallest letter of the Greek alphabet (representing the Hebrew yod); used metaphorically to denote the smallest detail of a text.

dotκεραία

keraia · Greek Noun

A tiny stroke or hook used to distinguish Hebrew letters; signifies the absolute preservation of even the smallest parts of God's Word.

accomplishedγίνομαι

ginomai · Greek Verb

To come into being, happen, or be realized; refers to the fulfillment and realization of God's sovereign purposes and promises.

relaxesλύω

luō · Greek Verb

To loosen, release, or break; in this context, it refers to treating a commandment as optional, non-binding, or of little importance.

commandmentsἐντολή

entolē · Greek Noun

Specific charges or instructions given by God that require obedience; they reflect His moral and ethical will for His people.

teachesδιδάσκω

didaskō · Greek Verb

To provide instruction, explain doctrine, or impart knowledge; a central activity in the life of the church used for making disciples.

kingdom of heavenβασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν

basileia tōn ouranōn · Greek Noun Phrase

The reign and rule of God, breaking into history through Jesus and to be fully realized in the future; Matthew's specific term for the Kingdom of God.

righteousnessδικαιοσύνη

dikaiosunē · Greek Noun

Conformity to God's standard of holiness and justice; it encompasses both a legal standing before God and an ethical way of living.

exceedsπερισσεύω

perisseuō · Greek Verb

To abound, surpass, or be over and above; indicates a standard of living that goes beyond outward ritual to heart-level transformation.

scribesγραμματεύς

grammateus · Greek Noun

Professional students and interpreters of the Law in Israel, responsible for teaching, copying, and legal documentation of the Scriptures.

PhariseesΦαρισαῖος

Pharisaios · Greek Noun

A Jewish sect known for strict, legalistic adherence to the Law and oral traditions, emphasizing ritual purity and outward observance.

What does Matthew 5:17-20 mean?

What Matthew 5:17-20 means

Jesus's Radical Reinterpretation, Not Replacement

The Law's Enduring Authority, Not Its Letter

Ask Sola about this verse

What Matthew 5:17-20 means

Jesus's Radical Reinterpretation, Not Replacement

The Law's Enduring Authority, Not Its Letter

Ask Sola about this verse

The original words in Matthew 5:17-20

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