Lesson 4. The Law, the Prophets, and the Commandments of Jesus. The “Foundations of Christ’s Teachings” School. A series of foundational teachings that Jesus Christ gave His disciples on the mountain.
Matt. 5
17 Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.
18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle will pass from the law until all is fulfilled.
19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do so will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
20 For I say to you, unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
At first glance, it seems that Jesus is speaking here about obeying the law. But then this would contradict what is written in the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians. If we acknowledge that Jesus called us to obey the law, then all Christians must obey ALL the commandments of the law –even the least of them.
Moreover, this would contradict what Jesus says next. This was only an introduction to His teaching, in which Jesus gave new commandments: “It was said in ancient times… but I say to you…”
To understand what Jesus was really saying, we need to read verses 17–18 more carefully.
Matt. 5:17–18 Do not think that I came to abolish the law or the prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle will pass from the law, until all is fulfilled.
Jesus did not say that we need to obey the law. Jesus said that He would fulfill everything that was written in the law and the prophets. Nothing will disappear until everything written about Him has been fulfilled. When this was fulfilled, He reminded the disciples of it.
Luke 24:44 And He said to them: These are the things I told you about while I was still with you, that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled. Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And He said to them: thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for Christ to suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.
Jesus fulfilled what was written in the Law and the Prophets: that the Savior would one day come into the world; that He would be born of a virgin; that He would be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver, and so on. Most importantly, Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial law – He offered Himself as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of all people, foreshadowed by the sacrifices of the Old Testament.
Having concluded the thought that Scripture must be fulfilled (verses 19 through 48), Jesus begins reviewing some commandments from the law and, INSTEAD of them, teaches His own commandments.
Matthew 5:19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments…
- therefore – therefore, consequently, for this reason, accordingly.
- of these commandments. The demonstrative pronoun [touton] refers not to what was in the past, but to what is before us now – these commandments.
Before reading further, it is important to understand that Jesus is not speaking here about the commandments of the Law of Moses, because other, more severe punishments were already known for violating the Law of Moses. Jesus says that those who violate the commandments will have a position of little significance in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Matthew 5:19 Therefore, 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.
- breaks [luō] – in this context, the verb means to cancel, abolish, eliminate, or declare invalid.
- be called [kaleō] – to call, name, designate, or give a name.
Jesus indicated that such a person WILL BE in the Kingdom of Heaven – in eternity, but will not hold a position of honor. Does the Law of Moses prescribe such a punishment for people who do not obey the commandments? Therefore, this proves that Jesus is not referring to the commandments of the law. In verse 19, after all, He uses only the word “commandments,” without using the words “law” and “prophets.”
If we read further, everything becomes clear. Beginning with verse 21, Jesus reviews some commandments from the Law of Moses and then gives new commandments: “But I say to you…”
Some say that Jesus meant the law itself (in verse 19), but not all of it—only the Ten Commandments. This is not so. Beginning with verse 21, Jesus lists commandments from the Law and Deuteronomy.
(Matt. 5:21, 22)
21 You have heard that it was said to those of old: “You shall not murder,” and whoever murders will be subject to judgment.
22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without cause will be subject to judgment; whoever says to his brother, “Raca,” will be subject to the council; and whoever says, “You fool,” will be subject to fiery Gehenna.
This is one of the Ten Commandments.
(Matt. 5:27–29)
27 You have heard that it was said to those of old: “You shall not commit adultery.”
28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
This is another one of the Ten Commandments. However, the next commandment is taken from Deuteronomy 24:1.
(Matt. 5:31, 32)
31 It was also said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.”
32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife, except on the grounds of sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Another commandment from Deuteronomy.
(Matt. 5:33–35)
33 Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old: “You shall not break your oaths, but shall fulfill your oaths to the Lord.”
34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, because it is God’s throne;
35 nor by the earth, because it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King;
The other two commandments that Jesus stated, and in place of which He gave His own commandments – were commandments from Deuteronomy. This is irrefutable evidence that Jesus did not mean only the Ten Commandments, but all the commandments of the law. And since Jesus gave His own commandment in place of each of them – this confirms that in verse 19 Jesus was not speaking about THOSE ancient commandments of the law, but about THESE new commandments that came from Him.
Jesus’ commandments were given to us so that we might be more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees, who kept the law.
Matt. 5:20 For I say to you, unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Each commandment of Jesus must not only be obeyed; it is also important to teach others to obey it. This is why Jesus commissioned His disciples to go and teach all nations.
Matt. 28:19–20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
Jesus said three important things about the Kingdom of Heaven:
- For us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, our righteousness must surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.
- Those who kept Jesus’ commandments and taught others to do so will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- Those who set aside (abolish) even one of Jesus’ commandments and teach others to do likewise will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
End of lesson.
Source: Father’s Blessing Church
Teacher: Dmitriy Leo
