κοινωνός
← κοινωνός

MAT 5:17-20

The Fulfillment of the Law

17"Do not think that I came to tear down the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to tear down but to bring to fulfillment.

18For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or one stroke of the pen will pass away from the Law until all things come to pass.

19Whoever then loosens one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever practices and teaches them, this one will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.

20For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of the heavens."

In the world it was spoken into

In a 1st-century Jewish context, the Torah and the Prophets were the foundation of communal identity, ethics, and covenant relationship with God. The speaker’s assertion that they have come not to abolish but to fulfill the Law would have been heard against debates about the Torah’s enduring authority. For some, 'abolish' might evoke fears of radical reinterpretation or outright rejection of the Law, as seen in Hellenistic Jewish critiques or sectarian movements. 'Fulfill,' however, suggests bringing the Law to its intended purpose or fullness, aligning with messianic expectations of restoring or perfecting God’s covenant. The emphasis on the smallest letter or stroke underscores the Law’s enduring validity, reflecting scribal precision and reverence for Scripture. The warning against breaking even the least commandment and teaching others to do so highlights the communal responsibility to uphold the Law, as its observance was tied to Israel’s identity and eschatological hope.

›See the receipts

How other translations render this

MAT 5:17

KJV
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
BSB
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.
Koinōnos
Do not think that I came to tear down the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to tear down but to bring to fulfillment.

MAT 5:18

KJV
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
BSB
For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.
Koinōnos
For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or one stroke of the pen will pass away from the Law until all things come to pass.

MAT 5:19

KJV
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
BSB
So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Koinōnos
Whoever then loosens one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever practices and teaches them, this one will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.

MAT 5:20

KJV
For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
BSB
For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
Koinōnos
For I say to you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of the heavens.

Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.

Translator's notes

MAT 5:17

  • to abolish:The word translated 'to abolish' here means to tear down, destroy, or render ineffective, often in the sense of dismantling something established.
  • to fulfill.:The term used here for 'to fulfill' carries the sense of bringing something to its intended completion, filling it up, or making it full and complete.

MAT 5:18

  • iota:The word 'iota' refers to the smallest letter in the Greek alphabet, used proverbially to mean the tiniest detail or an insignificant part of something.

MAT 5:19

  • shall break:The word translated 'shall break' means to loosen, untie, or release, implying a disregard for or an undermining of the law's authority.