Matthew 5:17-18
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 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.”
King James Version
Jesus declaring he came to fulfill the Law and Prophets, every detail secured until all is accomplished.
Fulfillment References
Romans 10:4 Galatians 4:4 Hebrews 9:12
How Traditions Read This Prophecy
Apostolic (Oneness) PentecostalJesus declares Himself the goal of the law and the prophets — 'I am... come... to fulfil.' He is their substance and end (Rom. 10:4; Gal. 4:4); every jot and tittle finds its 'yes' in Him. The Lawgiver of Sinai and the One who fulfills the law are the one God, now come in flesh to accomplish what He commanded.
JewishJesus, a Jewish teacher, affirms the abiding authority of Torah ('not one jot or tittle shall pass'); read within Judaism as upholding Torah, with debate over the sense of 'fulfil.'
CatholicChrist fulfills and perfects the Law and the Prophets — not abolishing but bringing them to completion (cf. the Catechism); the new law of the Gospel.
ProtestantChrist fulfills the law's demands and the prophets' predictions; He is its goal (Rom. 10:4), fulfilling its righteousness on our behalf.
AcademicMatthew's Jesus is the authoritative interpreter and fulfiller of Torah; 'fulfil' (pleroo) is debated — completion, prophetic realization, or transcendence.
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Bible Prophecy Explorer · based on J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy catalogue · an openly Apostolic (Oneness) Pentecostal study resource — all traditions presented fairly. Pastor: C. Myles Young, PhD · Bishop: Nathaniel J. Wilson, Ed.D.