In Matthew 5:17–20 (Amazon), Jesus speaks directly to a tension that still challenges many believers today: how to relate to the Law. Did Jesus cancel the commandments of the Old Testament? Or did He bring something entirely new?
“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.”
— Matthew 5:17 (NIV)
In this verse, Jesus clears any doubts about His mission. He didn’t come to tear down the Law; He came to bring it to completion, showing its true purpose and deepest intent.
Understanding the Law and the Prophets
The phrase “the Law and the Prophets” was a common way to refer to the entire Hebrew Scriptures. At the center of this was the Torah—the foundational moral, civil, and ceremonial laws given to Israel through Moses.
These laws taught people how to live in right relationship with God and one another. But over time, many began to treat them more like a checklist than a pathway to the heart of God.
Jesus challenges that thinking—not by lowering the standard, but by fulfilling it entirely, from the inside out.
What It Means to “Fulfill the Law”
The Greek word used in Matthew 5:17 for “fulfill” (plēroō) means to complete, bring to full expression, or accomplish. Jesus fulfills the Law in several powerful ways:
- He lived it perfectly, never breaking it.
- He revealed its true meaning, going beyond rules to the heart.
- He completed its purpose, becoming the ultimate sacrifice and mediator.
He didn’t set the Law aside—He lifted it into the realm of love and internal transformation.
For a more in-depth explanation, visit The Bible Project’s visual guide to the Law.
A Higher Righteousness
Matthew 5:20 (NIV)
“Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”
This statement shocked Jesus’ audience. The Pharisees were seen as the elite of righteousness, following every detail of the Law with precision. But Jesus wasn’t impressed by outward performance. He looked at the heart.
He invites us to a deeper kind of righteousness—not based on appearances, but on authenticity. It’s not about legal perfection. It’s about relational integrity.
From Rules to Relationship
Living by the Law alone can quickly become dry, rigid, and fear-based. Jesus introduces a new way: relationship over regulation.
He doesn’t cancel the Law. Instead, He brings it to life in a new form—one that’s written not on stone, but on hearts (see Jeremiah 31:33).
This shift is not away from obedience but toward a heart-transformed obedience.
How We Live the Fulfilled Law Today
Following Jesus’ teaching means we no longer obey the Law to earn favor—we live it out as a response to grace.
Here are five practical ways:
- Live from the inside out
Focus on heart motives, not just outward actions. - Let love lead
Jesus said the greatest commandments are to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37–40). - Pursue justice and mercy
The Law points us to compassion, fairness, and humility. - Stay accountable
Spiritual community helps refine and reinforce values. - Root your choices in Christ
Let His example shape your ethics, not culture or convenience.
Legalism or License? Walking the Middle Way
Some drift into legalism, using the Law to judge others and earn status. Others reject it entirely, living without boundaries. Jesus offers a third way: grace that calls us higher.
He says, “Come as you are”—but also, “Don’t stay as you are.”
In this way, Jesus protects the beauty of the Law while removing its burden. The Law becomes a guide, not a condemner.
🔗 Want to explore more about the spiritual heart of Jesus’ teachings? Check out our internal article on The Beatitudes and Inner Transformation.
A Simple Example: Modern Obedience from the Heart
Think of a business owner faced with a temptation to lie on a financial report. Legally, there’s a loophole. But Jesus’ call is not about finding loopholes—it’s about living truthfully.
The owner decides to report honestly, not out of fear, but out of integrity rooted in love for others and reverence for God.
That’s what fulfilling the Law looks like in daily life.
Final Thoughts: The Law Made Whole
Jesus didn’t come to erase the past—He came to redeem it.
- The Law was always meant to point us to Him.
- The Prophets longed for the day He would come.
- And now, we live in the reality of that fulfilled promise.
To follow Jesus is to walk a path that is holy, whole, and human. The Law is no longer just a command to obey—it’s a way to love, a way to live, and a way to be transformed from the inside out.
A Personal Prayer
“Lord Jesus, thank You for fulfilling the Law and inviting me into a deeper relationship with You. Help me live by the spirit of the Law, not just the letter. Teach me to love with sincerity, walk in truth, and reflect Your grace every day.”
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