The significance of the terms "the Law and the Prophets".

[Saint Steven]

If you break God's commandments and teach others to do so v19 you are called the least from those in the kingdom of heaven because you will not enter it.

But which is the least commandment?

It doesn't say "God's commandments", it says, "these commands".
It doesn't say "break", it says, "sets aside".
It doesn't say "will not enter it", it says, "will be called least".
It doesn't say "the law", it says, "the Law or the Prophets".

Matthew 5:17-19
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

But which is the least commandment?

It doesn't say "God's commandments", it says, "these commands".
It doesn't say "break", it says, "sets aside".
It doesn't say "will not enter it", it says, "will be called least".
It doesn't say "the law", it says, "the Law or the Prophets".

Matthew 5:17-19
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

MATTHEW 5:19 [19], [19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

I was not referring to the commandments. I was referring to those who break them and teach others to do the same. God's WORD does not teach lawlessness.

 

[Saint Steven]

MATTHEW 5:19 [19], [19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

I was not referring to the commandments. I was referring to those who break them and teach others to do the same. God's WORD does not teach lawlessness.

It doesn't say "God's commandments", it says, "these commands". This is referring to Jesus teachings, not the law.

Does your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law?

Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

 

[Saint Steven]

MATTHEW 5:19 [19], [19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

I was not referring to the commandments. I was referring to those who break them and teach others to do the same. God's WORD does not teach lawlessness.

What is meant by "the Law or the Prophets"?

 

[LoveGodsWord]

It doesn't say "God's commandments", it says, "these commands". This is referring to Jesus teachings, not the law.

Does your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law?

Matthew 5:20
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Nope. v19 says COMMANDMENTS.

MATTHEW Chapter 5 is talking about the spiritual application of the 10 Commandments.

MATTHEW 5:17-19
[17], Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
[18], For truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass, one stroke or one pronunciation mark shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20], For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[21], You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
[22], But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
[23], Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you;
[24], Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
[25], Agree with your adversary quickly, whiles you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
[26], Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.
[27], You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:
[28], But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
[29], And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

Yep Jesus is certainly referencing the 10 Commandment applying them to the thoughts and feelings. Seems like we need a new heart because ours is broken.

Sorry Steve, God's WORD disagrees with you.

 

[Saint Steven]

Nope. v19 says COMMANDMENTS.

MATTHEW Chapter 5 is talking about the spiritual application of the 10 Commandments.

MATTHEW 5:17-19
[17], Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
[18], For truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass, one stroke or one pronunciation mark shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20], For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[21], You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
[22], But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
[23], Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you;
[24], Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
[25], Agree with your adversary quickly, whiles you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
[26], Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.
[27], You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:
[28], But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
[29], And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

Yep Jesus is certainly referencing the 10 Commandment applying them to the thoughts and feelings. Seems like we need a new heart because ours is broken.

Sorry Steve, God's WORD disagrees with you.

So, you are claiming that "these least commandments" are the Ten Commandments? That's pretty funny.

There are five, "You have heard it said... But I tell you..." statements in Matthew chapter five. Jesus is treating the law as hearsay. And setting it aside to introduce his own commands. (these least commands)

As you have shown, the first two are from the Ten Commandments. But look at the whole list. Are you sure that you want to own that last two or three?
- You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
- ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
- ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
- ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
- ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

 

[Anna Therese]

Sure, glad to help. (at the risk of insulting your intelligence)

Thank you! It was a typo. I meant to say Matthew 19:17***

 

[Tayla]

The terms "the Law and the Prophets", are in reference to the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets.

Yes, I think this is correct.

 

[Saint Steven]

Thank you! It was a typo. I meant to say Matthew 19:17***

Okay, thanks. Now I will reply.

Matthew 19:20
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

 

[dqhall]

I often see comments on the forum from those who quote Matthew 5:17 as a confirmation that "the law" has not been abolished. Somehow they fail to see that the verse says, "the Law or the Prophets", not "the law".

Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My primary aim here is to show that these terms are in reference to the books, not to the law itself. The thrust in most cases is the prophetic aspect, not dealing with the law itself. (that God gave to the Israelites alone)

What is the significance of the terms "the Law and the Prophets"?

The terms "the Law and the Prophets", are in reference to the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets. The NIV translation helps us most of the time by capitalizing "Law" and "Prophets" to show us that they are book titles.

Notice the use of capitalization and non-capitalization in this verse.

Romans 3:21
But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There is a reference to "the law" (non-capitalized) and to "the Law and the Prophets" (capitalized). So we can gather that this is speaking about "the law" itself and also about the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets. Which helps greatly to understand what this verse is saying.

But now apart from the law (that God gave to the Israelites alone) the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets testify.

These examples are not isolated. A Bible search for the words "law prophets" brings up these other references. Notice how they confirm the idea that these are in reference to the books of the Law and the books of the Prophets (and the book of Psalms). In fact, the first example is Jesus' explanation of Matt.5:17.
​

Luke 24:44
He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”

John 1:45
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

Acts 13:15
After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

Acts 24:14
However, I admit that I worship the God of our ancestors as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets,

Acts 28:23
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus.

​

Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 11:13
For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.

Matthew 22:40
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Luke 16:16
“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.

You might find the Law in the first five books called the Torah or Penteteuch. Deuteronomy and Leviticus contain much of the law. There were also commentaries about the law that advised on how to correctly practice the law, this group of writings has been called the Talmud or Mishna and was written after the Law. Some of the rabbis quoted in the Talmud were born before Jesus was born in the flesh. Reading Talmudic tractates online may help a person understand first century Jewish practice. If you need to know more, you might try reading, "Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus," Joachim Jeremias.

In the books of Kings you might read about kings and prophets including Samuel, Elijah and Elisha. There are major prophets including Isaiah and Jeremiah. There are minor prophets such as Micah and Hosea.

 

[Saint Steven]

You might find the Law in the first five books called the Torah or Penteteuch. Deuteronomy and Leviticus contain much of the law. There were also commentaries about the law that advised on how to correctly practice the law, this group of writings has been called the Talmud or Mishna and was written after the Law. Some of the rabbis quoted in the Talmud were born before Jesus was born in the flesh. Reading Talmudic tractates online may help a person understand first century Jewish practice. If you need to know more, you might try reading, "Jerusalem in the Time of Jesus," Joachim Jeremias.

In the books of Kings you might read about kings and prophets including Samuel, Elijah and Elisha. There are major prophets including Isaiah and Jeremiah. There are minor prophets such as Micah and Hosea.

The OP only deals with the terms being used in our Bible.

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Thanks for your post, but you better check that reference. (try again)

Matthew 9:17
Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Ahhhh, a reference to a thread I created earlier....AMEN!

https://www.christianforums.com/threads/luke-5-37-new-wine-wineskins-vs-old-wine-wineskins.8081120/

What is this passage all about in Luke 5?

ISA) Luke 5:37
"And no one is casting young<3501> wine<3631> into Old<3820> skins<779>, if yet no surely shall be ruined the young wine, of the skins,
and it shall be being poured-out and its skin shall be perishing.
38 but young wine into New<2537> skins is to be cast,
and both are preserved-together<4933>.
39 and no one drinking Old immediately is willing Young, for he is saying, 'for the Old is kind/mellow<5543>'".

 

[dqhall]

The OP only deals with the terms being used in our Bible.

John 7:19 (WEB) Didn't Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?"

John 1:17 (WEB) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

You might be surprised to learn what is in Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Numbers. It is easier to read such things than it is to remember them.

 

[klutedavid]

Nope. v19 says COMMANDMENTS.

MATTHEW Chapter 5 is talking about the spiritual application of the 10 Commandments.

MATTHEW 5:17-19
[17], Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
[18], For truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass, one stroke or one pronunciation mark shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20], For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

[21], You have heard that it was said of them of old time, You shall not kill; and whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
[22], But I say to you, That whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whoever shall say, You fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
[23], Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has ought against you;
[24], Leave there your gift before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
[25], Agree with your adversary quickly, whiles you are in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison.
[26], Truly I say to you, You shall by no means come out there, till you have paid the uttermost farthing.
[27], You have heard that it was said by them of old time, You shall not commit adultery:
[28], But I say to you, That whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
[29], And if your right eye offend you, pluck it out, and cast it from you: for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish, and not that your whole body should be cast into hell.

Yep Jesus is certainly referencing the 10 Commandment applying them to the thoughts and feelings. Seems like we need a new heart because ours is broken.

Sorry Steve, God's WORD disagrees with you.

Do you believe Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets?

 

[klutedavid]

So, you are claiming that "these least commandments" are the Ten Commandments? That's pretty funny.

There are five, "You have heard it said... But I tell you..." statements in Matthew chapter five. Jesus is treating the law as hearsay. And setting it aside to introduce his own commands. (these least commands)

As you have shown, the first two are from the Ten Commandments. But look at the whole list. Are you sure that you want to own that last two or three?
- You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’
- ‘You shall not commit adultery.’
- ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’
- ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
- ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

This is also a command made by Jesus.

Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

 

[Saint Steven]

John 7:19 (WEB) Didn't Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?"

John 1:17 (WEB) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

You might be surprised to learn what is in Deuteronomy, Leviticus and Numbers. It is easier to read such things than it is to remember them.

Thanks for your post.
Yes, those two are a reference to the law itself.
I'm not claiming that every appearance of the term "the law" is in reference to the books.
Can you find a couple of verses that are in reference to the books of the Law? (skill test)

 

[Saint Steven]

This is also a command made by Jesus.

Matthew 5:32
But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of immorality, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Yes. This is such an interesting chapter.
Those who promote the law seem to miss the significance.
- Jesus informs us that he didn't come to abolish the books of the Law or the books of the Prophets, but to fulfill the prophecies written about him. Not one word will pass away until all is fulfilled. Then what?
- He goes on to talk about "these least commands", I believe in reference to his own teaching.
- Then presents five "You have heard it said... But I tell you..." statements, thus treating the law as hearsay and then replaces them with his own commands. (the law of Christ)

Those who claim that Jesus is confirming the law never quote the last two of five "You have heard it said... But I tell you..." statements.
- ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’
- ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

 

[Saint Steven]

Do you believe Jesus fulfilled the law and the prophets?

Brilliant! That is such a great question.
I gave you a Thumbs-Up, but changed it to a Winner.

They claim that fulfilling the law means keeping it. What can they say?

I suppose they will try to separate the two. But the Law and the Prophets (the books of) are one thing. The OT books. The prophecies are not yet fulfilled.

Romans 10:4
Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

 

[Erik Nelson]

Luke 24:44 shows that Jesus recognized the Hebrew division of the OT into the TaNaKh = Torah - Neviim - Keturim = Law/Instruction/Teaching + Prophets + Writings

The NT writers overwhelmingly preferred the readings of the LXX, yet acknowledged the book ordering of the Hebrew M text

Jewish Christians were all required to, and all did, keep all the commandments of the OT. Only gentile Christians "got in easy" (so to speak), only having to obey the few Laws given to Noah and his descendants (Gen 9).

 

[2Timothy2:15]

Steve let me help... if you read further it says..

MATTHEW 5:17-19
[17], Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
[18], For truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass, one stroke or one pronunciation mark shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
[19], Whoever 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 whoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
[20], For I say to you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

The very next verses you leave out make your OP fall down.

Hope that helps

Then you continue to read Matthew 5 and he explains exactly what he is talking about in context. He does not say follow the Levitical law or the ceremonial law. Notice everything he points out lines up with the 10 commandments. Also notice there is no mention of the sabbath.

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.

23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34 But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35 Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37 But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.

41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?

48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.