Matthew 5:18

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Matthew 5:18 (KJV)

Context

Matthew 5:18 is part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, where He teaches His disciples and the gathered crowd. This verse comes immediately after Jesus declares that He has not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). Jesus speaks with absolute authority, using the solemn phrase “For verily I say unto you,” a common expression that emphasizes the certainty and importance of His teaching.

Meaning

Jesus states that not even the smallest stroke of a pen, known as a jot, or the smallest part of a Hebrew letter, known as a tittle, will pass from the law until everything is accomplished. The Greek term “iota” refers to the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet, and “keraia” refers to a small stroke or point of a letter. The double negative in the Greek strengthens the statement, making it emphatic and absolute. The word translated “pass” not only declares what will happen but also carries the force of an imperative, expressing God’s sovereign will. This highlights the permanence and significance of God’s law, affirming that every part of it will be fulfilled.

Biblical connections

Jesus’ statement about fulfilling the law indicates that He is the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus fulfills numerous prophecies and the moral requirements of the Law through His sinless life, sacrificial death, and resurrection. Jesus affirms the continuity of the law until all is fulfilled. He upholds the moral principles and commandments of the Old Testament, emphasizing their importance for believers. However, Jesus also provides a deeper understanding and application of the law, calling His followers to live according to the spirit of the law rather than just the external observance.

Application

As believers, we are called to honor and uphold God’s law. Although we are not justified by keeping the law, it still serves as a guide for righteous living. The principles and moral standards found in the Old Testament remain relevant and valuable for believers today. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live out the righteous principles of the law in our daily lives, reflecting Christ’s character. Jesus’ words reflect His reverence for the law and His desire to see it fulfilled completely. He establishes Himself as the ultimate authority and interpreter of the law.

Reflection

Matthew 5:18 emphasizes the enduring nature of God’s law and the fulfillment of the law through Jesus Christ. It reminds believers of the significance and relevance of the Old Testament law and encourages them to live according to its moral principles with a deeper understanding brought by Christ. The verse assures believers of the reliability and enduring nature of God’s Word.