Jesus, the Fulfiller of the Law (Mt 5:17–48): An Analysis and Comparison Between the Law of the Old Testament and the Law of Jesus
Jesus, the Fulfiller of the Law (Mt 5:17–48): An Analysis and Comparison Between the Law of the Old Testament and the Law of Jesus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54855/csl.26623Keywords:
Old Testament Law, the Law of Jesus, fulfillment, righteousnessAbstract
When speaking about the relationship between Himself and the Law of the Old Testament, Jesus affirms: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law of Moses or the words of the prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill" (Mt 5:17). Here, it is not because the Law of the Old Testament had deficiencies and limitations that Jesus came to fulfill it by abolishing this, adding that, in order to make it complete. Rather, He brings an authentic interpretation of the Law of the Old Testament and makes these Laws become more fully themselves. The following article seeks to clarify these matters, first by describing Jesus as the Fulfiller of the Law (Mt 5:17–20). Next, the article proceeds to analyze and compare the Law of the Old Testament and the Law of Jesus by examining the six antitheses (Mt 5:21–48), so that through this we may see Jesus' fulfillment of the Law of the Old Testament. Finally, the article humbly offers some invitations to live by for people in today's world.
References
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Simonetti, M. (Ed.). (2001). Matthew 1–13. InterVarsity Press.
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