Teaching Notes

Essay 3 – Matthew 5:17-20

Written by Minister Jewel D. Williams

4/06 for Introduction to the Bible

"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. I tell you the truth, 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. Anyone who breaks 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 practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus is speaking about what is expected from the life of one that obeys God’s ways. Jesus tells his listeners that God is calling for individuals to be salt and light. He also tells us that just as the prophets were persecuted and received a reward, so will those that come behind and are persecuted will receive their rewards.


Jesus then tells them, he did not come to destroy the law or the prophets. In other words, Jesus is saying the law of God and the words the prophets spoke are not being eliminated. Instead, Jesus is the one that fulfills (or completes the requirements of) the law. Jesus says that God’s word will not change. All of the word of God must be fulfilled or completed. Jesus came to fulfill the requirement of the law, which required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.


We also have the Old Testament that points to Jesus being the fulfillment of the Law. Jesus is represented in every aspect of the Old Testament tabernacle worship. He is the gate; the only entrance to salvation and no one comes to the father except through Christ. Jesus is the lamb without spot or blemish sacrificed on the brazen alter for the cleansing of sins. The curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was torn from top to bottom when Jesus was crucified because it was the working of God removing the separation down to man. God was making available his holiness to mankind because of Jesus' sacrifice. In the Old Testament times, the high priests were the only ones able to enter the Holy of Holies.


The sacrifice of animals (those without blemish or spot) was only a temporary requirement that was completely replaced with a more perfect sacrifice, which was Jesus the Son of God. The prophet’s spoke of Jesus’ coming and how he was the fulfillment of the words sent to the people of God. The entire Old Testament points to Jesus’ coming and fulfillment of the requirements inside.


There is still a part of the word of God that will be fulfilled when Jesus returns. That is the reason verse 18 states, “for verily I say unto you, Til heaven and earth pass, on jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass form the law, till all be fulfilled”. Jesus was teaching that no one should break God’s law nor teach others to do likewise. Those that teach others to obey the ways of God will enter into the kingdom of God.


Jesus also warned not to do as the Pharisees and the scribes did. They put their oral traditions equal with God’s laws and they changed what was required for holy living. Jesus reminds them not to put your beliefs, your traditions or anything above God’s law. Instead, Jesus is calling for individuals to be an example of him to the world. Jesus opened to all that will come the provisions of his father. He opened up the access to the Holiness of God.


“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth” (Romans 10:4). Paul states in Roman that Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. It is for those that believe to receive the righteousness imparted to them by God because of the sacrifice of Jesus. Jesus is calling the individual to be obedient to the word of God. The word states that those that are obedient to God will receive entrance into God’s kingdom, for those that are not obedient, they will not receive of the promise of heaven. Jesus fulfilled the law’s requirements therefore opening up the access to God’s provisions.