Source Scripture
Read the passage first. Study notes begin after the Scripture.
Matthew 5:17-19
17Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18For 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.
19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Question in context
The question must be answered by YAHUSHA's complete statement. Verse 17 denies destruction, verse 18 gives heaven and earth as the time marker, and verse 19 warns against breaking or teaching away even the least commandment.
What the passage itself says
- The sentence begins with a direct prohibition against thinking that YAHUSHA came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.
- The next verse ties the endurance of even the smallest part of the law to heaven and earth rather than to a later doctrinal slogan.
- The passage joins doing and teaching the commandments to kingdom language, so fulfill cannot be defined as permission to disregard them.
Immediate and confirming witnesses
Read these passages with the source Scripture to follow the immediate and confirming context.
- Immediate explanation: Matthew 5:18-19
YAHUSHA immediately says not one jot or tittle passes and warns against breaking or teaching away even the least commandment. - Lexical usage: Matthew 3:15
The same Gospel uses fulfil for carrying out all righteousness; fulfilling righteousness cannot mean abolishing righteousness. - Prophetic purpose: Isaiah 42:21
The prophetic purpose of Messiah is to magnify the law and make it honorable, not diminish it. - Apostolic confirmation: Romans 3:31
Paul confirms that faith establishes the law rather than making it void.
Related Words in Context
Continue with these related Scripture studies.
- Matthew 5:17: Fulfil Does Not Mean Abolish
YAHUSHA came to bring the law to its full meaning, not to cancel His Father's commandments.