Does Matthew 5:18–19 imply that we must adhere to the Old Testament law?
To put it briefly, Christians are not required to follow the rules outlined in the first five books of the Bible when it comes to following the Old Testament law. Numerous verses in the New Testament address this matter, therefore we know this. It’s a good idea to look for other Bible verses that clarify difficult parts when trying to grasp them.
The Law served as a tutor
Paul says that the Law was a “tutor” that helped us come to believe in Jesus in Galatians 3:23–26. The Law demonstrates to us our powerlessness to uphold the Law. “Now that faith has arrived, you are no longer under a tutor (the Law)” he says in his conclusion.
Romans 3:19–26 demonstrates that since we are all unable to uphold the law, none can be justified by doing so. In actuality, we are not justified by the Law but rather by faith in Jesus. Paul says, “We have been released from the Law,” in Romans 7:6. He continues, saying that Jesus is “the end of the Law for righteousness for everyone who believes” in Romans 10:1-4. Also see Ephesians 2:8–10 and Galatians 2:15–21.
What was Jesus talking about?
Given these other verses from the Bible, what was Jesus referring to in Matthew 5:18–19? These two lines are actually a part of a lengthier passage (Matthew 5:17–48) where Jesus discusses what it means to “fulfill” the Old Testament—that is, the Law and the Prophets. The 631 commandments that are outlined in the first five books of the Bible are rigorous legal requirements that the religious authorities of Jesus’ day placed a great deal of emphasis on following, or “keeping.” Jesus’ apparent lack of compliance with these commandments, in contrast to their own, is one of their worries (Matthew 12:1-2, 12:10-12; Mark 2:23-27, 3:1-6, 7:1-5; Luke 13:10-17; John 5:2-18).
Jesus came to fulfill the Scriptures
Jesus makes it extremely evident that the Scriptures are authoritative and timeless in Matthew 5:17–19. Indeed, He declares that He has come to accomplish the prophecies, which identify Him as God’s long-awaited Messiah (see Luke 24:25–44; John 5:39–46). Jesus’ connection between the Scriptures and the notion of “all” being accomplished is more evidence of this (Matthew 5:18). According to John 19:30, Galatians 4:4-5, Ephesians 1:10, Colossians 1:15–20, and Hebrews 1:1–4, Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection fulfilled the promise that all things would be done.
After demonstrating His abiding reverence for the Bible, Jesus proceeds to illuminate the deeper significance of a number of particular laws in Matthew 5:21–48 by making a number of declarations that begin, “You have heard, but I say to you.” Instead than invalidating the laws, Jesus demonstrates how the true intent of God’s commandments actually makes them more difficult to follow and that, in order to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, a person must be more righteous than the religious authorities (Matthew 5:20). As God is flawless, Jesus really says at the end of this section that his hearers must also be perfect (Matthew 5:48).
The reason why Jesus came
We should all be astounded by Jesus’ teachings like his audience was (Matthew 7:28), since none of us are as flawless as God. This is the reason Jesus came to earth: to demonstrate to us how God wants us to live and to save us via his atoning death. We receive the Holy Spirit, who helps us mature in our capacity to fulfill the more profound meaning of God’s commands, when we are redeemed via Jesus (Titus 3:5-8).
