Jesus and the Ten Commandments: A Fulfillment, Not a Change

Throughout the pages of the New Testament, we find a fascinating interaction between Jesus and the Ten Commandments. Some might argue that Jesus changed or altered these ancient laws. However, the truth is quite different. Jesus came to fulfill the commandments, not to change them, as recorded in the New Testament.

The Beatitudes and the Law

One of the most well-known passages on this topic is found in Matthew 5:17, where Jesus states:

‘Do not think that I have come to destroy the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to destroy but to fulfill. 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.

These verses clearly affirm that Jesus did not come to change the Law; rather, He came to fulfill it. His fulfillment was something both literal and spiritual, emphasizing the importance of the commandments in their original form.

Greater Than the Least Commandment

Jesus also stresses the importance of not neglecting even the least commandment. In Matthew 5:18, He says:

‘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. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same 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.’

This statement highlights that the entire Law is interconnected, and neglecting even the smallest commandment has serious consequences. On the other hand, those who uphold and teach the commandments will be considered great.

Disciples and Those Who Break the Law

Further emphasis is given in Matthew 7:21, where Jesus says:

‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name cast out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Moreover, in Matthew 19:17, Jesus discusses eternal life and obedience to the commandments:

“Whoever keeps the commandments will live by them.”

These passages reinforce that salvation and eternal life are tied to the obedience of the commandments.

The Inclusivity of the Commandments

It is important to recognize that Jesus did not condemn the original commandments but rather encouraged their fulfillment in spirit and letter. As stated in Matthew 5:18, He affirmed that the commandments are unchangeable until their fulfillment:

“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.”

This means that while Jesus may have given new interpretations or emphasized certain aspects of the commandments, the core message remained intact.

Cleanup of the Old Commandments

Some might argue that Jesus exposed the satanic elements and inhumane practices of the old commandments. Indeed, many of the ancient commandments had excessive, legalistic requirements that could lead to abuse or misunderstanding. Jesus clarified and purified these laws, making them more accessible and relevant for His followers.

“If a man lies with another man as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:13) “If a virgin vows to be a Nazirite from girlhood or becomes a Nazirite at her vow, the Nazirite pledge of the Nazirite shall be as follows: all the hair of her head shall be shaved at the vocing of the priest, and she shall then apply herself to the rites of her Nazirite offering.” (Numbers 6:2) “He who blasphemes the name of the LORD shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone that person. Only the hands of the witnesses shall be on him to put him to death, and the rest of the people shall stone him.” (Leviticus 24:16) “The man who has a hollow tooth, a wen, or a boil, and plasters it with a covering of yarn, if he eats of the holy things, even though he knows it, he has defiled them; he shall bear his sin.” (Leviticus 7:20-21) “At the end of the seventh year, the year of release, you must give it back so that the Israelites may have a home. And they must not desecrate their land by shedding innocent blood or by sacrificing to other gods on the high places, for the land would be defiled that way. But if they confess their sins and the wrong they have done, and so make restitution for what they have done, then you must forgive them and not charge them with blood, and you must not take a ransom for someone who has been murdered, for blood must be paid for blood.
Duet. 17:7

Many of these commands can be seen as outdated or even cruel when viewed through the lens of modern sensibilities. But Jesus came to cleanse these laws of their corrupt interpretations and to make them applicable to the new covenant.

Conclusion

The arrival of Jesus Christ did not change the Ten Commandments; rather, He came to fulfill them in their purest and most spiritual form. He encouraged His followers to uphold these commandments not out of fear of punishment, but out of love for God and love for their neighbors. Just as the laws of nature are unchangeable, so too are God's commandments, until they are fulfilled in perfect love and peace.