Matthew 5 – Fulfilling the Law

Chapter five opens with Jesus seeing the crowds that followed Him, going up onto a mountain, and then teaching His disciples. It is likely that the term ‘disciples’ in this passage refers not just to the Twelve, who are not all designated until chapter 10, but to all of those who were following Him wherever He went. And the traditional name for the body of teaching that occupies chapters 5-7 comes from the location where they were presented: on a mountain.

This sermon begins with a set of beatitudes or statements of blessedness. It is not uncommon to see these beatitudes as describing ideal states for Jesus’ followers. But it is more likely that Jesus was looking at the challenges His audience was facing, and pronouncing them blessed, because good things were coming to them.

Fulfilling the Law

Jesus then announced that He had not come to abolish the Law and the Prophets. Instead, He had come to fulfill them. And He reiterated the importance of them and of handling them correctly. Jesus went on to share a different view of several commands in the Law, so this statement made clear He wasn’t changing them. Instead, He was providing a better understanding of the Law’s intent.

But, in saying He had come to fulfill the Law, Jesus is also saying that the Law and the Prophets pointed ahead to Him. To best understand the Old Testament, we should do so in light of what Jesus accomplished in His life and death.

New Understanding of the Law

Jesus then went on to refer to six specific laws or traditions that were frequently taught. And in each of them, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, but I say to you.” Jesus was not changing the Law, but He was interpreting it in light of the spirit of the law rather than the letter.

• Murder is more than just physically killing someone
• Adultery includes looking at another person with lust
• Divorce should be only for infidelity
• Yes or no should suffice. There is no need for elaborate vows
• Respond to an insult with a blessing
• Love your enemy

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