Obedience or appearance?

Matthew 5:17: Do not misunderstand the reason why I have come. I did not come to abolish the Law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. On the contrary, I came to fulfill their purposes.

Jesus is not simply teaching that we must obey more rules. He is revealing what it means to live truly surrendered to Him.

What did "the Law and the Prophets" mean?

In first-century Judaism, this expression was a way of referring to the Scriptures of Israel. The Law, known as the Torah, comprises the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The Hebrew word *torah* (תּוֹרָה) means instruction or teaching, although it can also be translated as "law."

This is important because, when we think of a "law," we tend to imagine only prohibitions and obligations.

However, the Torah also recounts the creation, the covenant with Abraham, the deliverance from Egypt, and God’s relationship with His people.

For Israel, it was not merely a code of conduct; it was a fundamental part of their identity as a covenant people.

Why did Jesus need to clarify that He did not come to abolish it?

Because His teachings might have seemed surprising in light of certain religious interpretations of His time. While Jesus shared with His listeners a commitment to the authority of the Scriptures, He also challenged interpretations and practices that did not accurately reflect the will of God.

Jesus did not come to tear down, undo, destroy, or render the Law void. Rather, the word "fulfill"—in the original Greek—conveys the idea of ​​completing, filling, or bringing something to its full realization.

Matthew 5:18: I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is fulfilled.

Jesus is communicating that the Scriptures are neither disposable nor devoid of meaning now that He has arrived. He affirms the permanence and seriousness of God’s purpose as revealed within them.

Jesus asserts that not even the smallest details of the Scriptures lack importance within God’s purpose. Matthew makes it clear that Jesus does not view the ancient Scriptures as an error to be discarded; rather, He recognizes them as part of God’s plan—a plan He has come to fulfill.

Matthew 5:19: Therefore, whoever breaks one of these very small commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called the least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

The Greek verb translated as "breaks" is *lyō* (λύω), which can mean to untie, release, or render void. In this context, it conveys the idea of ​​relaxing or invalidating a commandment. Jesus is warning against an attitude that diminishes the importance of God’s will.

This does not mean that only perfect people can teach—if that were the case, no one could. It means that those of us who teach must also remain disciples who need to learn, repent, and grow. Spiritual authority should never be separated from personal integrity. And there is something here that I find deeply significant: Jesus is not merely training people who are capable of explaining God’s will; He is forming people who learn to live it out.

Matthew 5:20: "I warn you: unless your righteousness surpasses that of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

Let us imagine how this statement might have sounded to its original listeners.

Who were the scribes and the Pharisees? The scribes were individuals who specialized in the knowledge, transmission, and interpretation of the Scriptures and the laws. The Pharisees were a Jewish movement known for their emphasis on the observance of the Law and for specific interpretive traditions. Not all Pharisees were the same, nor were they all hypocrites. In fact, there were internal debates and various ways of living out one’s faithfulness to God.

Here in Matthew 5:20, Jesus sets forth a surprising requirement. The righteousness of his disciples must surpass that of those who were recognized for their religious devotion.

What does "greater righteousness" mean? The Greek word *perisseúsē* (περισσεύσῃ) conveys the idea of ​​abounding or exceeding. Jesus is speaking of a righteousness that goes beyond.

But here, a crucial question arises: More rules? More religious activities? More personal sacrifices?

The rest of the chapter helps us understand. In Matthew 5:21–48, Jesus shows that obedience cannot be limited to external compliance. The righteousness Jesus demands reaches our actions, our relationships, and our motivations. It is not simply a matter of the quantity of obedience; it is a matter of depth and authenticity. Jesus is not solely interested in what we do before others; he also cares about what happens within us.

God does not merely desire that we know his instructions. He desires a relationship that profoundly transforms the way we think, love, and act. Therefore, when we study Matthew 5:17–20, we should not conclude that the Christian life consists of trying harder to project an appearance of perfection.

Three Questions for the Heart

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  Am I trying to teach others a life with Jesus that I myself am willing to live—even when it is difficult, when I need to ask for forgiveness, or when no one is watching?

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  When I obey God, do I do so primarily out of love and trust in Him, or because I feel a need to do enough things to be accepted?

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  Which teaching of Jesus do I know very well, but need to begin practicing with greater sincerity at this stage of my life?

It is not enough for our words to shed light if our decisions contradict what we proclaim. It is not enough to know the Scriptures if we are not willing to let them challenge us. And it is not enough to cultivate an image of spirituality if our closest relationships do not experience the fruit of our faith.

Yet, there is hope in all of this. Jesus does not call us to feign a perfection we do not possess. He calls us to follow Him, to learn from Him, to repent when we fall short, and to grow in sincere obedience. Spiritual maturity does not consist of appearing as though we never need correction; rather, it lies in maintaining a heart that is open to being transformed by God.