Matthew 5 · Verse 17

Matthew 5:17

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Matthew 5:17, King James Version

Matthew 5:17 in other translations

BSB	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.
WEB	“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.
ASV	Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.
YLT	‘Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets--I did not come to throw down, but to fulfil;
DARBY	Think not that I am come to make void the law or the prophets; I am not come to make void, but to fulfil.
BBE	Let there be no thought that I have come to put an end to the law or the prophets. I have not come for destruction, but to make complete.
Webster	Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.

What does Matthew 5:17 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

17. Think not that I am come--that I came. to destroy the law, or the prophets--that is, "the authority and principles of the Old Testament." (On the phrase, see Mt 7:12; 22:40; Lu 16:16; Ac 13:15). This general way of taking the phrase is much better than understanding "the law" and "the prophets" separately, and inquiring, as many good critics do, in what sense our Lord could be supposed to meditate the subversion of each. To the various classes of His hearers, who might view such supposed abrogation of the law and the prophets with very different feelings, our Lord's announcement would, in effect, be such as this--"Ye who tremble at the word of the Lord, fear not that I am going to sweep the foundation from under your feet: Ye restless and revolutionary spirits, hope not that I am going to head any revolutionary movement: And ye who hypocritically affect great reverence for the law and the prophets, pretend not to find anything in My teaching derogatory to God's living oracles." I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil--Not to subvert, abrogate, or annul, but to establish the law and the prophets--to unfold them, to embody them in living form, and to enshrine them in the reverence, affection, and character of men, am I come.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes

Verse 17. Think not that I am come, etc. Our Saviour was just entering on his work. It was important for him to state what he came to do. By his setting up to be a teacher in opposition to the Scribes and Pharisees, some might charge him with an intention to destroy their law, and abolish the customs of the nation. He therefore told them that he did not come for that end, but really to fulfil or accomplish what was in the law and the prophets. To destroy. To abrogate; to deny their Divine authority; to set men free from the obligation to obey them.

The law. The five books of Moses, called the law. Lk 24:44.

The prophets. The books which the prophets wrote. These two divisions here seem to comprehend the Old Testament; and Jesus says that he came not to do away or destroy the authority of the Old Testament.

But to fulfil. To complete the design; to fill up what was predicted; to accomplish what was intended in them. The word fulfil, also, means sometimes to teach or inculcate, Co 1:25. The law of Moses contained many sacrifices and rites which were designed to shadow forth the Messiah, Heb 9:1-28. These were fulfilled when he came and offered himself a sacrifice to God--

"A sacrifice of nobler name,
And richer blood than they."

The prophets contained many predictions respecting his coming and death. These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by his life and his sufferings.

(l) "the law" Mt 3:15 (m) "the prophets" Is 42:21

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Verse 17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law - Do not imagine that I am come to violate the law καταλυσαι, from κατα, and λυω, I loose, violate, or dissolve - I am not come to make the law of none effect - to dissolve the connection which subsists between its several parts, or the obligation men are under to have their lives regulated by its moral precepts; nor am I come to dissolve the connecting reference it has to the good things promised. But I am come, πληρωσαι, to complete - to perfect its connection and reference, to accomplish every thing shadowed forth in the Mosaic ritual, to fill up its great design; and to give grace to all my followers, πληρωσαι, to fill up, or complete, every moral duty. In a word, Christ completed the law: 1st. In itself, it was only the shadow, the typical representation, of good things to come; and he added to it that which was necessary to make it perfect, His Own Sacrifice, without which it could neither satisfy God, nor sanctify men. 2dly. He completed it in himself by submitting to its types with an exact obedience, and verifying them by his death upon the cross. 3dly. He completes this law, and the sayings of his prophets, in his members, by giving them grace to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves; for this is all the law and the prophets. It is worthy of observation, that the word גמר gamar, among the rabbins, signifies not only to fulfill, but also to teach; and, consequently, we may infer that our Lord intimated, that the law and the prophets were still to be taught or inculcated by him and his disciples; and this he and they have done in the most pointed manner. See the Gospels and epistles; and see especially this sermon on the mount, the Epistle of James, and the Epistle to the Hebrews. And this meaning of the word gives the clear sense of the apostle's words, Col 1:25. Whereof I am made a minister, πληρωσαι τον λογον του Θεου, to fulfill the word of God, i.e. to teach the doctrine of God.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Matthew 5:17-20

Let none suppose that Christ allows his people to trifle with any commands of God's holy law. No sinner partakes of Christ's justifying righteousness, till he repents of his evil deeds. The mercy revealed in the gospel leads the believer to still deeper self-abhorrence. The law is the Christian's rule of duty, and he delights therein. If a man, pretending to be Christ's disciple, encourages himself in any allowed disobedience to the holy law of God, or teaches others to do the same, whatever his station or reputation among men may be, he can be no true disciple. Christ's righteousness, imputed to us by faith alone, is needed by every one that enters the kingdom of grace or of glory; but the new creation of the heart to holiness, produces a thorough change in a man's temper and conduct.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Matthew 5:17 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

ΜὴMēNotG3361

νομίσητεnomisētemay thinkG3543

ὅτιhotithatG3754

ἦλθονēlthonI have comeG2064

καταλῦσαιkatalusaito abolishG2647

τὸνtontheG3588

νόμονnomonlawG3551

ἢēorG2228

τοὺςtoustheG3588

προφήτας·prophētasProphets;G4396

οὐκouknotG3756

ἦλθονēlthonI have comeG2064

καταλῦσαιkatalusaito abolishG2647

ἀλλὰallabutG235

πληρῶσαι.plērōsaito fulfill.G4137

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Matthew 5:17

Romans 10:4
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Luke 16:17
And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
Galatians 4:4-5
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Romans 8:4
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Isaiah 42:21
The Lord is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
Galatians 3:17-24
And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise. Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. …
Matthew 7:12
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Psalms 40:6-8
Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required. Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.
Hebrews 10:3-12
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. …
Colossians 2:16-17
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Acts 18:13
Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the law.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

to destroy the law.
Lu 16:17; Joh 8:5; Ac 6:13; 18:13; 21:28; Ro 3:31; 10:4; Ga 3:17-24
but.
3:15; Ps 40:6-8; Isa 42:21; Ro 8:4; Ga 4:4,5; Col 2:16,17
Heb 10:3-12

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

Matthew 5:16
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
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.

Read all of Matthew 5

Matthew 5:17 in other languages

Spanish Reina-Valera 1909	No penséis que he venido para abrogar la ley ó los profetas: no he venido para abrogar, sino á cumplir.
French Bible J.N. Darby 1885	Ne pensez pas que je sois venu pour abolir la loi ou les prophètes: je ne suis pas venu pour abolir, mais pour accomplir;
German Elberfelder 1871	Wähnet nicht, daß ich gekommen sei, das Gesetz oder die Propheten aufzulösen; ich bin nicht gekommen, aufzulösen, sondern zu erfüllen.
Latin Clementine Vulgate	Nolite putare quoniam veni solvere legem aut prophetas: non veni solvere, sed adimplere.