Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the…
““Jesus said, “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” (Mt 5:17). Yet Paul could say, “Christ is the end of the law” (Rom 10:4); “you also died to the law through the body of Christ” (Rom 7:4); and “Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law” (Gal 3:25). Hebrews states, “By calling this covenant ‘new,’ he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear” (Heb 8:13), and “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming” (Heb 10:1). The Matthew text is the key one, for Jesus is asserting that the Torah has not been abrogated and in fact is intact in him.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Jesus claims the Law remains valid and fulfilled in Him, while Paul and Hebrews describe the Law as a temporary shadow pointing to Christ’s covenant.
In simple terms: The Law isn’t cancelled; it points to Christ.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the continuity between Old and New Testament teachings.
Themes
theology
continuity
interpretation
law
faith
covenant
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
exegetical
theological
scriptural
When to use this quote
- Sermon preparation
- Bible study groups
- academic theology
- personal devotion
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Christology
biblical hermeneutics
covenantal theology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does the concept of “fulfillment” affect Christian ethics?
- What aspects of the Law are considered timeless?
A Different Perspective
Some argue the Law’s moral commands are fulfilled, others see them as still binding; tension remains.