Click
here to show/hide instructions.
Instructions on how to use the page:
The commentary for the selected verse is is displayed below.
All commentary was produced against the King James, so the same verse from that translation may appear as well. Hovering your mouse over a commentary's scripture reference attempts to show those verses.
Use the browser's back button to return to the previous page.
Or you can also select a feature from the Just Verses menu appearing at the top of the page.
Selected Verse: Matthew 5:17 - Strong Concordance
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| Mt 5:17 |
Strong Concordance |
Think [3543] not [3361] that [3754] I am come [2064] to destroy [2647] the law [3551], or [2228] the prophets [4396]: I am [2064] not [3756] come [2064] to destroy [2647], but [235] to fulfil [4137]. |
| |
King James |
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
IDENTITY OF THESE PRINCIPLES WITH THOSE OF THE ANCIENT ECONOMY; IN CONTRAST WITH THE REIGNING TRADITIONAL TEACHING. (Mat. 5:17-48)
Think not that I am come--that I came.
to destroy the law, or the prophets--that is, "the authority and principles of the Old Testament." (On the phrase, see Mat 7:12; Mat 22:40; Luk 16:16; Act 13:15). This general way of taking the phrase is much better than understanding "the law" and "the prophets" separately, and inquiring, as many good critics do, in what sense our Lord could be supposed to meditate the subversion of each. To the various classes of His hearers, who might view such supposed abrogation of the law and the prophets with very different feelings, our Lord's announcement would, in effect, be such as this--"Ye who tremble at the word of the Lord, fear not that I am going to sweep the foundation from under your feet: Ye restless and revolutionary spirits, hope not that I am going to head any revolutionary movement: And ye who hypocritically affect great reverence for the law and the prophets, pretend not to find anything in My teaching derogatory to God's living oracles."
I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil--Not to subvert, abrogate, or annul, but to establish the law and the prophets--to unfold them, to embody them in living form, and to enshrine them in the reverence, affection, and character of men, am I come. |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Think not that I am come ... - Our Saviour was just entering on his work. It was important for him to state what he came to do. By his setting up to be a teacher in opposition to the scribes and Pharisees, some might charge him with an intention to destroy their law, and to abolish the customs of the nation. He therefore told them that he did not come for that end, but really to fulfill or accomplish what was in the law and the prophets.
To destroy - To abrogate; to deny their divine authority; to set people free from the obligation to obey them. "The law." The five books of Moses called the law. See the notes at Luk 24:44.
The Prophets - The books which the prophets wrote. These two divisions here seem to comprehend the Old Testament, and Jesus says that he came not to do away or destroy the authority of the Old Testament.
But to fulfil - To complete the design; to fill up what was predicted; to accomplish what was intended in them. The word "fulfill" also means sometimes "to teach" or "to inculcate," Col 1:25. The law of Moses contained many sacrifices and rites which were designed to shadow forth the Messiah. See the notes at Heb. 9. These were fulfilled when he came and offered himself a sacrifice to God,
"A sacrifice of nobler name.
And richer blood than they."
The prophets contained many predictions respecting his coming and death. These were all to be fulfilled and fully accomplished by his life and his sufferings. |
| The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
I am not come to destroy
Christ's relation to the law of Moses may be thus summarized:
(1) He was made under the law (Gal 4:4).
(2) He lived in perfect obedience to the law (Joh 8:46); (Mat 17:5); (Pe1 2:21-23).
(3) he was a minister of the law to the Jews, clearing it from rabbinical sophistries, enforcing it in all its pitiless severity upon those who professed to obey it (for example) (Luk 10:25-37) but confirming the promises made to the fathers under the Mosaic Covenant (Rom 15:8).
(4) He fulfilled the types of the law by His holy life and sacrificial death (Heb 9:11-26).
(5) He bore, vicariously, the curse of the law that the Abrahamic Covenant might avail all who believe (Gal 3:13-14).
(6) He brought out by His redemption all who believe from the place of servants under the law into the place of sons (Gal 4:1-7).
(7) He mediated by His blood the New Covenant of assurance and grace in which all believers stand (Rom 5:2); (Heb 8:6-13) so establishing the "law of Christ" (Gal 6:2) with its precepts of higher exaltation made possible by the indwelling Spirit. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
To destroy (καταλῦσαι)
Lit., to loosen down, dissolve; Wyc., undo. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| Think not - Do not imagine, fear, hope, that I am come - Like your teachers, to destroy the law or the prophets. I am not come to destroy - The moral law, but to fulfil - To establish, illustrate, and explain its highest meaning, both by my life and doctrine. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Think not that I am come to destroy the law - Do not imagine that I am come to violate the law καταλυσαι, from κατα, and λυω, I loose, violate, or dissolve - I am not come to make the law of none effect - to dissolve the connection which subsists between its several parts, or the obligation men are under to have their lives regulated by its moral precepts; nor am I come to dissolve the connecting reference it has to the good things promised. But I am come, πληρωσαι, to complete - to perfect its connection and reference, to accomplish every thing shadowed forth in the Mosaic ritual, to fill up its great design; and to give grace to all my followers, πληρωσαι, to fill up, or complete, every moral duty. In a word, Christ completed the law:
1st. In itself, it was only the shadow, the typical representation, of good things to come; and he added to it that which was necessary to make it perfect, His Own Sacrifice, without which it could neither satisfy God, nor sanctify men.
2dly. He completed it in himself by submitting to its types with an exact obedience, and verifying them by his death upon the cross.
3dly. He completes this law, and the sayings of his prophets, in his members, by giving them grace to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and their neighbor as themselves; for this is all the law and the prophets.
It is worthy of observation, that the word גמר gamar, among the rabbins, signifies not only to fulfill, but also to teach; and, consequently, we may infer that our Lord intimated, that the law and the prophets were still to be taught or inculcated by him and his disciples; and this he and they have done in the most pointed manner. See the Gospels and epistles; and see especially this sermon on the mount, the Epistle of James, and the Epistle to the Hebrews. And this meaning of the word gives the clear sense of the apostle's words, Col 1:25. Whereof I am made a minister, πληρωσαι τον λογον του Θεου, to fulfill the word of God, i.e. to teach the doctrine of God. |
15 And [1161] after [3326] the reading [320] of the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396] the rulers of the synagogue [752] sent [649] unto [4314] them [846], saying [3004], Ye men [435] and brethren [80], if [1487] ye have [2076] [1722] [5213] any word [3056] of exhortation [3874] for [4314] the people [2992], say on [3004].
16 The law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396] were until [2193] John [2491]: since [575] that time [5119] the kingdom [932] of God [2316] is preached [2097], and [2532] every man [3956] presseth [971] into [1519] it [846].
40 On [1722] these [5025] two [1417] commandments [1785] hang [2910] all [3650] the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396].
12 Therefore [3767] all things [3956] whatsoever [302] [3745] ye would [2309] that [2443] men [444] should do [4160] to you [5213], do [4160] ye [5210] even [2532] so [3779] to them [846]: for [1063] this [3778] is [2076] the law [3551] and [2532] the prophets [4396].
25 Whereof [3739] I [1473] am made [1096] a minister [1249], according to [2596] the dispensation [3622] of God [2316] which [3588] is given [1325] to me [3427] for [1519] you [5209], to fulfil [4137] the word [3056] of God [2316];
44 And [1161] he said [2036] unto them [846], These [3778] are the words [3056] which [3739] I spake [2980] unto [4314] you [5209], while [5607] I was yet [2089] with [4862] you [5213], that [3754] all things [3956] must [1163] be fulfilled [4137], which [3588] were written [1125] in [1722] the law [3551] of Moses [3475], and [2532] in the prophets [4396], and [2532] in the psalms [5568], concerning [4012] me [1700].
2 Bear ye [941] one another's [240] burdens [922], and [2532] so [3779] fulfil [378] the law [3551] of Christ [5547].
6 But [1161] now [3570] hath he obtained [5177] a more excellent [1313] ministry [3009], by how much [3745] also [2532] he is [2076] the mediator [3316] of a better [2909] covenant [1242], which [3748] was established [3549] upon [1909] better [2909] promises [1860].
7 For [1063] if [1487] that [1565] first [4413] covenant had been [2258] faultless [273], then should [302] no [3756] place [5117] have been sought [2212] for the second [1208].
8 For [1063] finding fault [3201] with them [846], he saith [3004], Behold [2400], the days [2250] come [2064], saith [3004] the Lord [2962], when [2532] I will make [4931] a new [2537] covenant [1242] with [1909] the house [3624] of Israel [2474] and [2532] with [1909] the house [3624] of Judah [2455]:
9 Not [3756] according to [2596] the covenant [1242] that [3739] I made with [4160] their [846] fathers [3962] in [1722] the day [2250] when I took [1949] them [846] by the hand [3450] [5495] to lead [1806] them [846] out of [1537] the land [1093] of Egypt [125]; because [3754] they [846] continued [1696] not [3756] in [1722] my [3450] covenant [1242], and I [2504] regarded [272] them [846] not [272], saith [3004] the Lord [2962].
10 For [3754] this [3778] is the covenant [1242] that [3739] I will make [1303] with the house [3624] of Israel [2474] after [3326] those [1565] days [2250], saith [3004] the Lord [2962]; I will put [1325] my [3450] laws [3551] into [1519] their [846] mind [1271], and [2532] write [1924] them [846] in [1909] their [846] hearts [2588]: and [2532] I will be [2071] to [1519] them [846] a God [2316], and [2532] they [846] shall be [2071] to [1519] me [3427] a people [2992]:
11 And [2532] they shall [1321] not [3364] teach [1321] every man [1538] his [846] neighbour [4139], and [2532] every man [1538] his [846] brother [80], saying [3004], Know [1097] the Lord [2962]: for [3754] all [3956] shall know [1492] me [3165], from [575] the least [3398] [846] to [2193] the greatest [3173] [846].
12 For [3754] I will be [2071] merciful [2436] to their [846] unrighteousness [93], and [2532] their [846] sins [266] and [2532] their [846] iniquities [458] will I remember [3415] no [3364] more [2089].
13 In [1722] that he saith [3004], A new [2537] covenant, he hath made [3822] the first [4413] old [3822]. Now [1161] that which decayeth [3822] and [2532] waxeth old [1095] is ready [1451] to vanish away [854].
2 By [1223] whom [3739] also [2532] we have [2192] access [4318] by faith [4102] into [1519] this [5026] grace [5485] wherein [1722] [3739] we stand [2476], and [2532] rejoice [2744] in [1909] hope [1680] of the glory [1391] of God [2316].
1 Now [1161] I say [3004], That the heir [2818], as long as [1909] [3745] [5550] he is [2076] a child [3516], differeth [1308] nothing [3762] from a servant [1401], though he be [5607] lord [2962] of all [3956];
2 But [235] is [2076] under [5259] tutors [2012] and [2532] governors [3623] until [891] the time appointed [4287] of the father [3962].
3 Even [2532] so [3779] we [2249], when [3753] we were [2258] children [3516], were [2258] in bondage [1402] under [5259] the elements [4747] of the world [2889]:
4 But [1161] when [3753] the fulness [4138] of the time [5550] was come [2064], God [2316] sent forth [1821] his [846] Son [5207], made [1096] of [1537] a woman [1135], made [1096] under [5259] the law [3551],
5 To [2443] redeem [1805] them that were under [5259] the law [3551], that [2443] we might receive [618] the adoption of sons [5206].
6 And [1161] because [3754] ye are [2075] sons [5207], God [2316] hath sent forth [1821] the Spirit [4151] of his [846] Son [5207] into [1519] your [5216] hearts [2588], crying [2896], Abba [5], Father [3962].
7 Wherefore [5620] thou art [1488] no more [3765] a servant [1401], but [235] a son [5207]; and [1161] if [1487] a son [5207], then [2532] an heir [2818] of God [2316] through [1223] Christ [5547].
13 Christ [5547] hath redeemed [1805] us [2248] from [1537] the curse [2671] of the law [3551], being made [1096] a curse [2671] for [5228] us [2257]: for [1063] it is written [1125], Cursed [1944] is every one [3956] that hangeth [2910] on [1909] a tree [3586]:
14 That [2443] the blessing [2129] of Abraham [11] might come [1096] on [1519] the Gentiles [1484] through [1722] Jesus [2424] Christ [5547]; that [2443] we might receive [2983] the promise [1860] of the Spirit [4151] through [1223] faith [4102].
11 But [1161] Christ [5547] being come [3854] an high priest [749] of good things [18] to come [3195], by [1223] a greater [3187] and [2532] more perfect [5046] tabernacle [4633], not [3756] made with hands [5499], that is to say [5123], not [3756] of this [5026] building [2937];
12 Neither [3761] by [1223] the blood [129] of goats [5131] and [2532] calves [3448], but [1161] by [1223] his own [2398] blood [129] he entered in [1525] once [2178] into [1519] the holy place [39], having obtained [2147] eternal [166] redemption [3085] for us.
13 For [1063] if [1487] the blood [129] of bulls [5022] and [2532] of goats [5131], and [2532] the ashes [4700] of an heifer [1151] sprinkling [4472] the unclean [2840], sanctifieth [37] to [4314] the purifying [2514] of the flesh [4561]:
14 How much [4214] more [3123] shall [2511] the blood [129] of Christ [5547], who [3739] through [1223] the eternal [166] Spirit [4151] offered [4374] himself [1438] without spot [299] to God [2316], purge [2511] your [5216] conscience [4893] from [575] dead [3498] works [2041] to [1519] serve [3000] the living [2198] God [2316]?
15 And [2532] for this [5124] cause [1223] he is [2076] the mediator [3316] of the new [2537] testament [1242], that [3704] by means [1096] of death [2288], for [1519] the redemption [629] of the transgressions [3847] that were under [1909] the first [4413] testament [1242], they which are called [2564] might receive [2983] the promise [1860] of eternal [166] inheritance [2817].
16 For [1063] where [3699] a testament [1242] is, there must also of necessity [318] be [5342] the death [2288] of the testator [1303].
17 For [1063] a testament [1242] is of force [949] after [1909] men are dead [3498]: otherwise [1893] it is of [2480] no [3379] strength [2480] at all [3379] while [3753] the testator [1303] liveth [2198].
18 Whereupon [3606] neither [3761] the first [4413] testament was dedicated [1457] without [5565] blood [129].
19 For [1063] when [5259] Moses [3475] had spoken [2980] every [3956] precept [1785] to all [3956] the people [2992] according [2596] to the law [3551], he took [2983] the blood [129] of calves [3448] and [2532] of goats [5131], with [3326] water [5204], and [2532] scarlet [2847] wool [2053], and [2532] hyssop [5301], and sprinkled [4472] both [5037] the book [975] [846], and [2532] all [3956] the people [2992],
20 Saying [3004], This [5124] is the blood [129] of the testament [1242] which [3739] God [2316] hath enjoined [1781] unto [4314] you [5209].
21 Moreover [1161] [3668] he sprinkled [4472] with blood [129] both [2532] the tabernacle [4633], and [2532] all [3956] the vessels [4632] of the ministry [3009].
22 And [2532] almost [4975] all things [3956] are [2511] by [2596] the law [3551] purged [2511] with [1722] blood [129]; and [2532] without [5565] shedding of blood [130] is [1096] no [3756] remission [859].
23 It was therefore [3767] necessary [318] that the patterns [5262] of things [3303] in [1722] the heavens [3772] should be purified [2511] with these [5125]; but [1161] the heavenly things [2032] themselves [846] with better [2909] sacrifices [2378] than [3844] these [5025].
24 For [1063] Christ [5547] is [1525] not [3756] entered [1525] into [1519] the holy places [39] made with hands [5499], which are the figures [499] of the true [228]; but [235] into [1519] heaven [3772] itself [846], now [3568] to appear [1718] in the presence [4383] of God [2316] for [5228] us [2257]:
25 Nor [3761] yet that [2443] he should offer [4374] himself [1438] often [4178], as [5618] the high priest [749] entereth [1525] into [1519] the holy place [39] every [2596] year [1763] with [1722] blood [129] of others [245];
26 For then [1893] must [1163] he [846] often [4178] have suffered [3958] since [575] the foundation [2602] of the world [2889]: but [1161] now [3568] once [530] in [1909] the end [4930] of the world [165] hath he appeared [5319] to [1519] put away [115] sin [266] by [1223] the sacrifice [2378] of himself [846].
8 Now [1161] I say [3004] that Jesus [2424] Christ [5547] was [1096] a minister [1249] of the circumcision [4061] for [5228] the truth [225] of God [2316], to [1519] confirm [950] the promises [1860] made unto the fathers [3962]:
25 And [2532], behold [2400], a certain [5100] lawyer [3544] stood up [450], and [2532] tempted [1598] him [846], saying [3004], Master [1320], what [5101] shall I do [4160] to inherit [2816] eternal [166] life [2222]?
26 [1161] He said [2036] unto [4314] him [846], What [5101] is written [1125] in [1722] the law [3551]? how [4459] readest thou [314]?
27 And [1161] he answering [611] said [2036], Thou shalt love [25] the Lord [2962] thy [4675] God [2316] with [1537] all [3650] thy [4675] heart [2588], and [2532] with [1537] all [3650] thy [4675] soul [5590], and [2532] with [1537] all [3650] thy [4675] strength [2479], and [2532] with [1537] all [3650] thy [4675] mind [1271]; and [2532] thy [4675] neighbour [4139] as [5613] thyself [4572].
28 And [1161] he said [2036] unto him [846], Thou hast answered [611] right [3723]: this [5124] do [4160], and [2532] thou shalt live [2198].
29 But [1161] he, willing [2309] to justify [1344] himself [1438], said [2036] unto [4314] Jesus [2424], And [2532] who [5101] is [2076] my [3450] neighbour [4139]?
30 And [1161] Jesus [2424] answering [5274] said [2036], A certain [5100] man [444] went down [2597] from [575] Jerusalem [2419] to [1519] Jericho [2410], and [2532] fell among [4045] thieves [3027], which [3739] [2532] stripped [1562] him [846] of his raiment [1562], and [2532] wounded [4127] [2007] him, and departed [565], leaving [863] him half dead [2253] [5177].
31 And [1161] by [2596] chance [4795] there came down [2597] a certain [5100] priest [2409] that [1722] [1565] way [3598]: and [2532] when he saw [1492] him [846], he passed by on the other side [492].
32 And [1161] likewise [3668] [2532] a Levite [3019], when he was [1096] at [2596] the place [5117], came [2064] and [2532] looked [1492] on him, and passed by on the other side [492].
33 But [1161] a certain [5100] Samaritan [4541], as he journeyed [3593], came [2064] where [2596] he was [846]: and [2532] when he saw [1492] him [846], he had compassion [4697] on him,
34 And [2532] went [4334] to him, and bound up [2611] his [846] wounds [5134], pouring in [2022] oil [1637] and [2532] wine [3631], and [1161] set [1913] him [846] on [1909] his own [2398] beast [2934], and brought [71] him [846] to [1519] an inn [3829], and [2532] took care [1959] of him [846].
35 And [2532] on [1909] the morrow [839] when he departed [1831], he took out [1544] two [1417] pence [1220], and gave [1325] them to the host [3830], and [2532] said [2036] unto him [846], Take care [1959] of him [846]; and [2532] whatsoever [3748] [302] thou spendest more [4325], when I [3165] come again [1722] [1880], I [1473] will repay [591] thee [4671].
36 Which [5101] now [3767] of these [5130] three [5140], thinkest [1380] thou [4671], was [1096] neighbour [4139] unto him that fell [1706] among [1519] the thieves [3027]?
37 And [1161] he said [2036], He that shewed [4160] mercy [1656] on [3326] him [846]. Then [3767] said [2036] Jesus [2424] unto him [846], Go [4198], and [2532] do [4160] thou [4771] likewise [3668].
21 For [1063] even [1519] hereunto [5124] were ye called [2564]: because [3754] Christ [5547] also [2532] suffered [3958] for [5228] us [2257], leaving [5277] us [2254] an example [5261], that [2443] ye should follow [1872] his [846] steps [2487]:
22 Who [3739] did [4160] no [3756] sin [266], neither [3761] was guile [1388] found [2147] in [1722] his [846] mouth [4750]:
23 Who [3739], when he was reviled [3058], reviled [486] not [3756] again [486]; when he suffered [3958], he threatened [546] not [3756]; but [1161] committed [3860] himself to him that judgeth [2919] righteously [1346]:
5 While he [846] yet [2089] spake [2980], behold [2400], a bright [5460] cloud [3507] overshadowed [1982] them [846]: and [2532] behold [2400] a voice [5456] out of [1537] the cloud [3507], which said [3004], This [3778] is [2076] my [3450] beloved [27] Son [5207], in [1722] whom [3739] I am well pleased [2106]; hear ye [191] him [846].
46 Which [5101] of [1537] you [5216] convinceth [1651] me [3165] of [4012] sin [266]? And [1161] if [1487] I say [3004] the truth [225], why [1302] do [4100] ye [5210] not [3756] believe [4100] me [3427]?
4 But [1161] when [3753] the fulness [4138] of the time [5550] was come [2064], God [2316] sent forth [1821] his [846] Son [5207], made [1096] of [1537] a woman [1135], made [1096] under [5259] the law [3551],
25 Whereof [3739] I [1473] am made [1096] a minister [1249], according to [2596] the dispensation [3622] of God [2316] which [3588] is given [1325] to me [3427] for [1519] you [5209], to fulfil [4137] the word [3056] of God [2316];