Matthew 5:17

The context

This sentence stands near the start of the Sermon on the Mount, after the beatitudes and the sayings about salt and light, and immediately before the six antitheses. Jesus has just said that his disciples are to exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. The verse prefaces the teaching that follows rather than concluding it.

What it establishes

The verse makes an explicit claim of continuity with the law and the prophets and denies that Jesus' teaching is meant to set them aside. It also asserts that fulfillment is the goal, which is a stronger claim than mere preservation.

What it does not establish

It does not define what fulfillment means. The word can mean to confirm, complete, interpret truly, or bring to eschatological realization, and the sermon's handling of the commands is cited on every side. Nor does it settle how the law applies to Gentiles.

Short note, first pass, October 2026. Corrections welcome.

Cited in these answers

• THE Truth
• Why does Matthew apply Hosea 11:1 to Jesus (2:15) when it is obviously referring to Israel?

Part of Scripture, Opened — the exegetical layer behind every citation on this site. Scripture quotations are from the ESV.