Christ Fulfills the Law

Discussion Questions: “Christ Fulfills the Law”

Leader to read: There are very few Bible studies that cover this part of the Sermon on the Mount, and there are fewer Bible study quizzes or even questions covering this section.  Most of the available quizzes we found were fill-in the blank exercises based on these verses.

Setting the timeline (Have someone read verse in red: Luke 16:16)

“The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. (Luke 16:16)

1.      Who is John that Jesus is referring to in this verse?

John the Baptist.

2.      What is the primary distinction being described here?

The law of the prophets refers to the entire Hebrew Bible, also known as the Old Testament.  The ministry of John the Baptist marked the end of the Old Covenant era.  The ministry of Jesus began the offer of the gospel, the new covenant, and embodied the nearness of the kingdom of God.

Christ came to fulfill, not destroy.  (Have someone read the verse outlined in black: Matthew 5:17)

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. (Matthew 5:17)

Leader to read: Matthew is the only one who records Jesus stating this verse. 

3.      What did Jesus come to fulfill?

Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.[i]  Jesus obeyed the law perfectly and taught its correct meaning.[ii]  The prophets made many predictions about His coming and death, all of which were fulfilled through His life and suffering.

4.      Where are the laws Jesus is referring to in the Bible?

The laws are in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.[iii]

5.      What did the Jewish people refer to as the first five books in the Bible?

The Torah.

6.      How many laws or commandments are in the Torah that Jesus is talking about?

There are 613 laws in the Torah.[iv]

7.      Who were the Prophets?

The Prophets included all the Prophets in the Old Testament.  This not only includes the Former Prophets in Joshua, Judges, Samuelc and Kings, but also the major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, and the minor prophets commonly known as “the Book of the twelve.”[v]

All laws will be fulfilled. (Have someone read the verses in blue: Matthew 5:18, and Luke 16:17)

For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18)

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:17)

8.      What does the word “jot” or the Greek word “ióta” mean in English?

Figuratively, ióta means a tiny part of anything.

9.      What does the word “tittle” or the Greek word “keraia” mean in English?

In Greek, tittle means a little horn, a point, an extremity. Tittle signifies the small stroke distinguishing one Hebrew letter from another.

10. What does it mean that one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law?

In context, adding in the words jot and tittle means even the smallest and most insignificant laws will be fulfilled before heaven and earth pass away.  The law of God will remain intact until its complete purpose is accomplished.

The difference of being called least and great in the kingdom of heaven (Have someone read verse in green: Matthew 5:19)

Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:19)

Leader to read:  After reading this verse, Jesus is talking about those who are already in heaven.  They could be called least, or they could be called great in heaven.

11. Who will be called least in the kingdom of heaven?

Those who break one of the least commandments and teach other men to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

12. Who will be called great in the kingdom of heaven?

Those who obey the least commandments and teach them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. (Have someone read verse in purple: Matthew 5:20)

For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:20)

13. Does your righteousness have to exceed the scribes and Pharisees to enter into the kingdom of heaven?

Yes.  Matthew 5:20 states, “Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

14. What does someone have to do to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees?  Leader to read:  The Pharisees focused on external rituals—sacrifices, fasting, and strict adherence to laws—but neglected justice, truth, and inner purity. Jesus required a righteousness that includes honesty, temperance, fear of God, and love for others.

Jesus indicated that only those with a more profound, authentic holiness than the scribes and Pharisees could be saved.  True righteousness goes beyond mere external compliance; it requires a deep, inner commitment to living a life aligned with God's principles.  Unless your purity surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you cannot be saved. This means that your moral integrity and adherence to ethical standards must be more profound and sincere than that of the scribes and Pharisees, who were known for their strict observance of the law.

[i] Holman. KJV Study Bible, Mantova Brown Simulated Leather, Indexed. Holman Bible Publishers, 1 Sept. 2012. p. 1585. Notes contributor: Quarles, Charles L., Louisiana College, Ph.D., Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary.

[ii] Radmacher, Earl D., et al. NKJV Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2018, p. 1426.

[iii] Radmacher, Earl D., et al. NKJV Study Bible. Thomas Nelson, 2018, p. 1564.

[iv] Rodricks, Peter. The 613 Commandments in the Old Testament. Independently Published, 1 Mar. 2023.

[v] Zondervan. NIV, Foundation Study Bible, Leathersoft, Teal, Red Letter. 1 June 2021. p. 1475.