Discuss/interpret the verses .... what does this say to you?

Question

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. 18I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Answer 1

During Jesus's ministry, a lot of people were accusing Him of changing the laws of Moses, which God wrote. Jesus is saying that he is not changing the laws, He is making it easier to understand. Do not break the law and encourage others to do the same as you, rather abide by the law better than the hypocritical Pharisees, and you will be rewarded in Heaven.

Answer 2

Jesus was the messiah that was predicted throughout the old testament. although we are living under grace GOD is the same yesterday , today, and forever. Jesus in no way said not to obey the law but now if we sin we have an advocate with the Father, who is Jesus Christ. He is also saying whoever keeps the commandments will be blessed and will be great in the kingdom of Heaven. anyone who has been saved has already surpassed the righteousness of the pharisees because we are made righteous through the blood of Jesus.

Answer 3

Here we find Jesus' famous Sermon on the Mount. At this time, the Mosaic law was in full force and all Jews were obligated to carry it out. Christ teaches that he did not come to destroy the law but to fulfill it. No Jew could ever keep the law perfectly because everyone was imperfect. Jesus kept the law perfectly. After his death however, the law was no longer an obligation to be kept by Jewish Christians. As for Gentile Christians, they have never been a party to the law covenant and hence have never been obligated to keep the law.

But that the law was to be fulfilled implies that there would be an end to it. And that it did end can be seen in such scriptures as Colossians, Galatians, Hebrews and Ephesians. Not only do Ephesians and Colossians teach us that the law was nailed to the instrument of death along with Christ, but we also learn that whoever tries to keep the law is obligated to keep it in its entirety - that's 613 statutes and regulations.

Moreover, the scriptures also teach that the one who does not keep the law comes under a curse. Thus we read at Galatians 3:10 that all those who compel themselves and others to carry out the law come under a curse. Paul is here referencing Deuteronomy 27:26. That is why Galatians 3:13 says Christ was hanged upon a stake – to become a curse and release the nation of Israel from the curse.

Answer 4

If you follow religion just because it's a tradition, what you "should" do, then like it says "you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven". The pharisees had the outward form of religion but didn't go any deeper - sometimes what they did even contradicted with what was said by Moses, the prophets etc.

oremus_fratres: I don't understand why you think the catholic church isn't a break off from what Jesus taught as well. Would you like to explain? Does it follow what was said in the bible?

Answer 5

Here, Jesus tells us that He is the One to fulfill the law. The law itself is not here being abolished, like He said, because the law will always serve as the standard with which God demands from us. It simply shows us how bad we are, how much we sin and are in need of Christ.

Starting in verse 19 is showing us that although saved by Christ we are going to and can still continue to sin. However, as Christians we are to practice virtue and love which casts out all sin. If we do not we are still saved by the mere grace of God but considered "less" in the kingdom of heaven. (Which is actually greater then the best here on earth.)

The first 8 chapters of Romans explains this in more depth.

Answer 6

Vs. 17: Jesus came to fulfill the prophecies of himself recorded in the Old Testament.
Vs 18: God's word will not change, no matter what happens. Peroid. Heaven and Earth itself will disappear before His Word changes.
Vs. 19. Do not teach others to disobey God.
Vs. 20 The Scribes and Pharisees prayed, fasted, and were in the temple all the time. Jesus said to them, 'Ye are of your father, the devil, and his works will you do'. If your righteousness does not surpass these men, you will not enter into heaven. Jesus himself said this very plain.

Answer 7

This is talking about how Jesus let every person know not only who He was but what He was doing. The Pharisees were the "religious" folk of the day. They, like many churches today, knew the letter of the Law and the Prophets. They, like many churches today, didn't understand the meaning or spirit of them.
You see the ten commandments are very much an important part of our lives. Despite what some organizations think, we are all going to have to stand before God and give account of EVERYTHING!!! Later,Jesus taught that if we break even one of the ten we have broken them all.
And if we are to be like Him, it would benefit us greatly to adhere to all ten as best we can.

Answer 8

It means that we are no longer condemned by law, Jesus fulfilled the law meaning he has covered us from what we have done and what we will do. If you read I John 3:11-24 it talks about loving one another is our greatest command and if you love God and others you wouldn't do those Ten Commandments or anything that hurts others right?

Answer 9

OK, in a nutshell...

He had not yet died, so there was not yet a fulfillment of the Law.
Once He did die, You have to accept Christ in order to use His fulfillment of the Law to overcome the penalty of death.
The pharisees did not believe in HIm, but put Him to death.

What will you do with His gift?

Answer 10

Jesus is referring to being a Christian. He is reminding us all that we must not think ourselves capable of creating new laws and rules (such as the break-off Protestant religions have done). He is saying, stay true to My Church. The Catholic Church. She will lead you to Heaven. By no other way, will you find it.