What does "Law and the Prophets" mean?

Definition and Scope

The phrase “Law and the Prophets” appears frequently in Scripture, especially in the New Testament, to encapsulate the foundational teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures. It typically refers to the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, traditionally attributed to Moses) as “the Law,” and the writings of the prophetic books (both Major and Minor) as “the Prophets.”

This collective phrase represents the core of what was commonly understood as the authoritative writings in ancient Jewish tradition. By shorthand, it underscores the entirety of God’s revealed instructions, moral standards, promises, historical narratives, and the forward-looking prophecies that pointed to future fulfillment.

Old Testament Context

Throughout the Hebrew canon, the Law (Torah) establishes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, outlining commandments, ceremonial practices, and moral codes. These books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) also convey foundational history, from the creation of the world to the settlement of Israel in the Promised Land.

The Prophets (Nevi’im) include the Former Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) and the Latter Prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Twelve Minor Prophets). This body of Scripture offers narrative history, divine judgment, warnings, and calls for repentance, as well as prophecies of hope and restoration. Together, these groupings offer not only laws and ordinances but also insight into God’s relationship with humankind, underscoring divine faithfulness and human responsibility.

Usage in the New Testament

In the New Testament era, the term “Law and the Prophets” was a well-known idiom pointing to the authoritative Scriptures recognized by Jewish communities. For instance, in Matthew 22:40, Jesus says, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments,” after summarizing the greatest commandment to love God, and the second to love one’s neighbor. This reference demonstrates that the entirety of God’s written revelation can be understood and fulfilled in wholehearted love toward God and others.

Similarly, in Luke 16:16, it is stated, “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the gospel of the kingdom of God is being preached.” Here, “Law and the Prophets” provides a concise way to denote the entire body of Old Testament Scriptures forming the bedrock of God’s redemptive plan. The transition to the gospel era does not negate this foundation; rather, it builds upon it.

Historical and Canonical Considerations

1. Formation of the Hebrew Canon: Historically, the Hebrew Canon was divided into the Torah (Law), the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings). These three sections are sometimes collectively called the Tanakh. “Law and the Prophets” often served as an abbreviated expression for the first two major subdivisions, implicitly including the broader teachings of the Writings.

2. Evidence from Ancient Manuscripts: Archaeological finds like the Dead Sea Scrolls (discovered at Qumran in the mid-20th century) have further confirmed the longstanding recognition and coherence of the major sections of the Hebrew Scriptures. Portions of Isaiah, the Minor Prophets, and Deuteronomy in these ancient texts reflect consistent transmission over centuries, underscoring the stability and integrity of what is referred to in the New Testament as the “Law and the Prophets.”

3. Quoted in Early Writings: Extra-biblical Jewish works, including the writings of Philo of Alexandria and Josephus, similarly testify to the recognized authority of these sections of Scripture. This broad external witness reaffirms that the early Christian community drew from a well-established canonical framework when referencing “the Law and the Prophets.”

Christ-Centered Fulfillment

Jesus’s teaching, as recorded in the Gospels, emphasizes the unity of the Law and the Prophets and their fulfillment in Him. He declares in Matthew 5:17, “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.” This establishes His position as the ultimate embodiment of all Old Testament prophecy and the perfect keeper of God’s law.

The Law reveals divine standards of righteousness, and the Prophets repeatedly give notice to Messiah’s salvation. In Luke 24:44, after His resurrection, Jesus reminds His followers, “Everything must be fulfilled that is written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms.” This statement again reiterates the essential unity of the Old Testament Scriptures, culminating in the person and work of Christ.

Implications for Christian Teaching

1. Unity of Scripture: The “Law and the Prophets” connects historical details with prophetic proclamations, reminding believers that Scripture is one unified revelation. Its moral, ceremonial, and prophetic themes cohere around humanity’s need for redemption and God’s gracious provision of it.

2. Moral and Ethical Guidance: While certain ceremonial and civil laws applied specifically to ancient Israel’s covenant context, the moral and ethical instructions remain universally relevant. Passages such as the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) continue to shape spiritual formation and moral reasoning, affirmed repeatedly by the prophets and then by Jesus Himself.

3. Prophetic Witness: Texts focusing on future events and the coming of the Messiah provide a forward-looking scope. From passages like Isaiah 53, which foretells the Suffering Servant, to Malachi’s prophecies of a coming messenger, the Prophets act as a bridge between the Old Testament’s covenant and the New Testament’s fulfillment in Christ.

Practical Application

1. Study and Reverence: Recognizing that “Law and the Prophets” represent the totality of Old Testament revelation, believers are encouraged to study them diligently. Jesus’s quotation of Deuteronomy during His temptation (Matthew 4:4–10) underlines the importance of the Law in shaping faith and conduct.

2. Spiritual Formation: Understanding the Law and the Prophets—how they point to divine justice, grace, and redemption—deepens spiritual maturity. By beholding the unchanging nature of God’s character and His consistent dealings with His people, modern readers can be transformed in their walk with Him.

3. Apologetics and Encouragement: Referencing archaeological evidence, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, allows us to see the faithfulness in the transmission of what is called the “Law and the Prophets.” This consistency can encourage confidence in the reliability of the biblical text and the trustworthiness of God’s message, offering assurance when discussing Scriptures in evangelistic and apologetic settings.

Conclusion

The term “Law and the Prophets” is a comprehensive expression for the central Scriptures of the Old Testament, emphasizing both the legal code established through Moses and the transformative messages of God’s prophets. This phrase underscores the unity and authority of the Hebrew Scriptures, which Jesus Christ fulfills and reaffirms in the New Testament.

From both an ancient Jewish and a modern Christian perspective, “Law and the Prophets” signifies more than historical divisions; it highlights timeless truths about God’s holiness, humanity’s moral accountability, the faithful anticipation of a Messiah, and the overarching narrative of salvation culminating in Christ. By grasping this phrase in its historical, literary, and theological dimensions, one gains a richer understanding of Scripture’s cohesive message and God’s redemptive plan.