Did Jesus intend to abolish or uphold the Mosaic Law according to Matthew 5:17? Canonical Text and Translation “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 Immediate Literary Context Matthew positions this declaration at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount (5:1–7:29). The paragraph is framed by two emphases: the blessedness of those who align with God’s kingdom (5:3-12) and the stark warning that one’s righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees (5:20). Therefore, 5:17 serves as a hinge, clarifying how kingdom life relates to the Torah. Key Vocabulary • Abolish (καταλύω): to destroy, dismantle, or invalidate. • Fulfill (πληρόω): to complete, bring to the intended goal, fill to the brim, or realize in full. The semantic range of πληρόω in Matthew consistently carries the idea of prophetic completion (1:22; 2:15; 2:17; 4:14), not replacement by contradiction. Jesus’ Self-Conscious Mission 1. Prophetic Continuator: Christ identifies Himself as the telos (goal) toward which the Law and the Prophets point (cf. Romans 10:4). 2. Sinless Covenant-Keeper: He lives the Mosaic code perfectly (John 8:46; Hebrews 4:15), qualifying as the unblemished sacrificial Lamb (Exodus 12:5; 1 Peter 1:19). 3. Mediator of a New Covenant: By fulfilling the righteous demands of Torah, He inaugurates Jeremiah’s promised covenant written on the heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Luke 22:20). Law and Prophets as a Unified Witness “Law” (νόμος) and “Prophets” (προφῆται) form a merism for the entire Hebrew canon. Jesus upholds the whole Tanakh. The Dead Sea Scrolls (e.g., 4QDeut, 4QIsa) confirm the textual stability of these Scriptures centuries before Christ, underscoring the reliability of the very documents He cites. Continuity: What Remains Unabolished 1. Moral Norms: Commands reflecting God’s character (e.g., love of God, prohibition of murder, adultery) remain binding (Matthew 5:21-48; Romans 13:8-10). 2. Prophetic Revelation: Every typological pointer—temple, sacrifice, priesthood—retains revelatory validity by revealing facets of Christ (Colossians 2:16-17; Hebrews 8:5). 3. Scriptural Authority: Jesus affirms the permanence of every “iota” and “keraia” (Matthew 5:18), underscoring plenary inspiration. Discontinuity: What Christ Brings to Completion 1. Ceremonial Shadows: Dietary regulations, calendar festivals, and sacrificial rites find their substance in the Messiah’s once-for-all sacrifice (Mark 7:19; Hebrews 10:1-14). 2. Civil Polity of Israel: Theocratic judicial penalties (e.g., stoning for Sabbath violation) give way to the transnational church under the law of Christ (1 Corinthians 9:21). 3. Covenant Sign Administration: Circumcision of the flesh yields to circumcision of the heart by the Spirit (Romans 2:29; Galatians 6:15). Exegetical Structure of Matthew 5:17-20 A. Statement of Non-Abolition (v. 17a) B. Declaration of Fulfillment (v. 17b) C. Enduring Validity of Scripture (v. 18) D. Warning and Reward for Commandment Treatment (v. 19) E. Greater Righteousness Requirement (v. 20) The structure moves from Christ’s relationship to Torah to the disciple’s. Pauline and Apostolic Reception • Acts 21:20–26 shows Jewish believers still valuing Mosaic customs, yet Acts 15 grants Gentiles freedom from circumcision, illustrating functional continuity within fulfilled covenant. • Romans 3:31: “Do we, then, nullify the Law by this faith? Certainly not! Instead, we uphold the Law.” Faith in the fulfilled Messiah establishes, not erases, Torah’s moral core. Early Church Consensus The Didache (c. A.D. 50-70) treats the Ten Commandments as normative yet frames them in light of Christ’s ethical teaching. This harmony mirrors Matthew’s intent. Archaeological Corroborations 1. Ketef Hinnom silver scrolls (7th c. B.C.) contain the Aaronic Blessing (Numbers 6:24-26), verifying the antiquity of the Law cited by Jesus. 2. Magdala synagogue (1st c. A.D.) frescoes depicting Torah scenes confirm a Jewish milieu saturated with reverence for the Law—precisely the context into which Jesus speaks. Practical Implications for Discipleship • Ethical Integrity: Believers live out the Law’s moral heart empowered by the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). • Gospel Witness: Fulfillment theology shows continuity of God’s plan, aiding evangelism among Jewish and secular audiences alike. • Hermeneutical Key: Christ-centered reading unlocks unity of Scripture, defending its divine authorship against higher-critical fragmentation. Answering Common Objections Objection: “Fulfill” equals “end,” hence abolition. Response: Matthew uses πληρόω thirteen times; every usage denotes prophetic completion, never cancellation (e.g., 2:15, “out of Egypt I called My Son”). Context decides meaning, and the immediate denial of abolition forbids that conclusion. Objection: Paul says believers are ‘not under law’ (Romans 6:14). Response: Paul contrasts the Mosaic covenant as a legal code for covenant membership with grace in Christ; he simultaneously affirms the Law’s holy, righteous, and good nature (Romans 7:12). Summary Jesus categorically rejects the notion that His mission invalidates the Mosaic Law. Instead, He embodies its prophetic hope, perfectly satisfies its righteous demands, and brings its ceremonial and civil dimensions to their intended consummation. The Law’s moral essence remains authoritative, now mediated through the indwelling Spirit under the New Covenant. Matthew 5:17 thus teaches unwavering continuity of Scripture’s authority and purposeful progression toward its fulfillment in the Messiah. |
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