Let's take a closer look.
Matthew 5:17-21 In the opening statement, concerning the law and the prophets, Jesus makes it clear.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
What did Jesus mean when He said He came to fulfill? We find the answer in Luke 24:44, when Jesus is bringing to remembrance the words He spoke to His disciples.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
At first glance, Jesus is speaking of Himself only, concerning the cross, but read further.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
What did Jesus fulfill?
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
What has yet to be fulfilled?
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Sound familiar?
Matthew 24:14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Back to Matthew 5. The first thing Jesus says after His opening statement is that the law will not pass until heaven and earth pass—till all be fulfilled.
18 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.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
What are the commandments Jesus is referring to?
The law.
The righteousness requirement.
20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus points to the Ten Commandments.
21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
Jesus is not negating "Thou shalt not kill" (the law), He is explaining the root of God's law—love.
Now let's look at Matthew 22:36-40. Notice...
36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
Jesus summarizes the Ten Commandments.
Commandments 1-4: Love God
37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
Commandments 6-10: Love Your Neighbor.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The law and the prophets
hang on love. Attached to, not separated, not done away with.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Furthermore, Paul explains the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 8:3-4
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us [til all be fulfilled; Matthew 5:18], who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Matthew 3:13-15, Jesus says the same thing to John at His baptism. At the very beginning of His ministry.
13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
Matthew 24:35, Jesus reiterates what He said in Matthew 5:18.
35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
More of the words of Jesus that will not pass away.
John 14:9-11 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Jesus is the Word made flesh (John 1:14). The Word of God. God does not change. Jesus does not change. Therefore, the law of God does not change, nor is it done away with.
Malachi 3:6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8-9 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines...
Move forward to the book of Revelation, which declares itself as the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Abominations, sins and even the Ten Commandments are mentioned.
Revelation 2: Letters to the Churches
- 2: Liars (bearing false witness); Exodus 20:16
- 4: Apostasy - Church left its first love. Called to repentance.
- 9: Blasphemy
- 14-16: Sacrifices to idols. Fornication. False doctrine. Called to repentance.
- 20-23: Fornication, Adultery, Sacrifices to idols. False doctrine. Call to repentance.
Revelation 3: Letters to the Churches
- 9: Liars (bearing false witness); Exodus 20:16
- 15:17: Lukewarmness (of which could include sin of all manner)
Revelation 22:13-16
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that
do his commandments, that they
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
- Liars, murderers, idolaters, adulterers.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Conclusion: Had the Ten Commandments, even the abominations, somehow been fulfilled, scripture would make it a point to let us know. Instead, Jesus points to the law in His ministry, telling us it will not pass away, then gives John the Revelation of Jesus Christ post-crucifixion,
from heaven, concerning the law that is still binding. And we have barely touched on the writings of the prophets that uphold the Ten Commandments. The law and the prophets were not nailed to the cross, they were hung upon love, which is the character of God. You can't look at love without seeing God's law hanging from it, because they are one and the same.