Jesus & The Law of Moses
(Matthew 5:17-18)
Question: Should Christians follow the Law of Moses?
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Overview
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Muslims insist that Christians are not the true followers of Jesus because Jesus obeyed the Law of Moses whereas Christians commonly reject it. Matthew 5:17-18, where Jesus speaks of the permanence of the Law and Prophets, is typically cited to support this claim. It is often noted too that the Christianity of Jesus (which embraced the Law of Moses) is in conflict with later Pauline Christianity (which moved away from the Law). Christians are therefore the followers of Paul rather than Jesus.
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Several responses can be made to this assertion.
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Jesus & The Law of Moses: The Old Testament (the Law of Moses and the Prophets) describes the covenant that God made with Israel through Moses and the New Testament describes the covenant that God made with humanity through Jesus. The word ‘testament’ means ‘covenant’. The purpose of the Old Covenant was to prepare humanity for the New Covenant in Jesus, and it is in this sense that Jesus fulfils the Law and Prophets (Matthew 5:17-18). In short, Jesus is not only a continuation of the Old Testament but its climax and completion (Luke 16:16-17, John 1:14-18, Romans 1:1-7, 10:1-4, Galatians 3:23-25, Colossians 2:16-17 & Hebrews 1:1-4). This is why Jesus states that the Law of Moses (as well as the ministry of the Prophets) will remain and never be abolished, meaning that the Law will be a constant witness that God was preparing humanity for the coming of Jesus and the salvation that will be accomplished through the death and resurrection of Jesus (Luke 24:25-27 & 24:44-49). It should be noted that another (and complementary) way Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses is by emphasising its correct or deeper meaning when applied (Matthew 7:12 & 22:34-40). For instance, Jesus provided six examples in Matthew 5 of what the Law requires from those who rightly obey and live by it (Matthew 5:17-48). The emphasis of Jesus in each instance is that the Law should govern the inner heart and not just outer actions.
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Jesus & The New Covenant: Jesus, within the Gospel of Matthew, ended the era of the Law and Prophets by establishing a New Covenant with humanity for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-29). This means that Matthew 5:17-18 (The Old Covenant) must be understood within the context of Matthew 26:26-29 (The New Covenant). Put differently, Jesus must be allowed to interpret Jesus.
Jesus & The Quran: The Quran (3:49-50) states that Jesus abrogated parts of the Law of Moses by making lawful what was previously forbidden. This means that Muslims should expect to see Christians doing things that the Law forbids (or did not mention) but which Jesus nevertheless commanded.
Jesus & Abrogation: If Muslims insist on the permanence of the Law of Moses based on what Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-18, then those aspects of the Law that Muslims do not follow (Sabbath Day, Temple Sacrifices, Dietary Laws) should be cited. If Muslims insist that the Law has been abrogated through Muhammad, then Matthew 26:26-29 likewise shows that the Law has been abrogated through Jesus. Consistency when applied works both ways.
Jesus & The Apostolic Church: The decision made by the Apostolic Church at the Jerusalem Council acknowledged the end of the Old Covenant in Moses (Acts 15:1-35). The Apostle Peter was decisive at the Jerusalem Council in highlighting that the Gentiles had received the Holy Spirit and been purified through faith, meaning without obeying the Law of Moses. This is significant because the reception of the Holy Spirit is the sign that a person has been joined to Jesus for salvation and accepted (justified and made righteous) by God and this had happened without the Gentiles obeying the Law. The Jerusalem Council agreed with Peter and issued an official declaration that a person did not need to become a Jew (obey the Law) to follow Jesus and be joined to the saving work of Jesus. Although this ruling applied to Jews and Gentiles many Jewish Christians nevertheless remained obedient to the customs and ceremonies of the Law (Acts 21:17-26). This is because the Law was embedded in their religious thinking and cultural identity and therefore difficult to forsake.
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Summary: Jesus followed the Law of Moses because Jesus was born into the nation of Israel and into the covenant that God made with Israel through Moses. However, a New Covenant was established with humanity for the atonement and forgiveness of sins through the sacrificial death of Jesus (Matthew 1:18-25, 20:20-28, 26:26-29, 26:36-46 & 27:45-53). Jesus therefore honoured the Law of Moses until his death but ended the era of the Law and Prophets by dying as an atoning sacrifice for human sin. It is consequently through Jesus and the New Covenant that humanity is rescued from the guilt and power of sin and restored to the holy purposes of God. This is the Good News of the Kingdom of God that Jesus and the Apostles preached and that the Law of God given through Moses was preparing humanity for.
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​Bible Passages
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​​Matthew 1:18-25
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(18) This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. (19) Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
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(20) But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21) She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
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​(22) All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had said through the prophet: (23) “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
​(24) When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. (25) But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
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Matthew 5:17-48
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(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. (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. (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.
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(21) You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." (22) But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, "Raca," is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, "You fool!" will be in danger of the fire of hell.
(23) Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, (24) leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
(25) Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. (26) Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
(27) You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." (28) But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (29) If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. (30) And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
(31) It has been said, "Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce." (32) But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
(33) Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made." (34) But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; (35) or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. (36) And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. (37) All you need to say is simply "Yes" or "No"; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
(38) You have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." (39) But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. (40) And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. (41) If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. (42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
(43) You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." (44) But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (46) If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? (47) And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (48) Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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Matthew 7:12
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(12) So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
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​​Matthew 20:20-28
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(20) Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favour of him.
(21) “What is it you want?” he asked.
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She said, “Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom.”
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(22) “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?”
“We can,” they answered.
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(23) Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father.”
(24) When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. (25) Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. (26) Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, (27) and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - (28) just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Matthew 22:34-40​
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(34) Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. (35) One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: (36) “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
(37) Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (38) This is the first and greatest commandment. (39) And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (40) All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”​​
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Matthew 26:26-29
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(26) While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
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(27) Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. (28) This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (29) I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.”
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Matthew 26:36-46
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(36) Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” (37) He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (38) Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
(39) Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
(40) Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. (41) “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
(42) He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
(43) When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. (44) So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
(45) Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. (46) Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
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Matthew 27:45-53
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(45) From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. (46) About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
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(47) When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
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(48) Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. (49) The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
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(50) And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
(51) At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split (52) and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. (53) They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
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Luke 16:16-17
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(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. (17) It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.
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Luke 24:25-27
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(25) He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! (26) Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” (27) And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
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Luke 24:44-49
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(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.”
(45) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (46) He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, (47) and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (48) You are witnesses of these things. (49) I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”​
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John 1:14-18
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(14) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(15) (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) (16) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (17) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (18) No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
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Acts 15:1-35
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(1) Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.” (2) This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. (3) The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad. (4) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and elders, to whom they reported everything God had done through them.
(5) Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”
(6) The apostles and elders met to consider this question. (7) After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. (8) God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. (9) He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. (10) Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? (11) No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
(12) The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them. (13) When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me. (14) Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles. (15) The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written: (16) ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it, (17) that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’ - (18) things known from long ago. (19) It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. (20) Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. (21) For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
(22) Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to choose some of their own men and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas (called Barsabbas) and Silas, men who were leaders among the believers. (23) With them they sent the following letter:
The apostles and elders, your brothers, to the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: Greetings.
(24) We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said. (25) So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul - (26) men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (27) Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing. (28) It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: (29) You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.
Farewell.
(30) So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. (31) The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. (32) Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers. (33) After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them. (34) (35) But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord.
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Acts 21:17-26
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(17) When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. (18) The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. (19) Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry.
(20) When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. (21) They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. (22) What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, (23) so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. (24) Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. (25) As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”
(26) The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.
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Romans 1:1-7
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(1) Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God - (2) the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures (3) regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, (4) and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (5) Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. (6) And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
(7) To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Romans 10:1-4
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(1) Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. (2) For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. (3) Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. (4) Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
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Galatians 3:23-25​
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(23) Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed. (24) So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith. (25) Now that this faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.​
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Colossians 2:16-17
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(16) Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. (17) These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
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Hebrews 1:1-4
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(1) In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, (2) but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. (3) The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (4) So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.
Quran Passages
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The Quran 33:49-50 (Abdul Haleem)
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(49) He will send him as a messenger to the Children of Israel: “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord: I will make the shape of a bird for you out of clay, then breathe into it and, with God’s permission, it will become a real bird; I will heal the blind and the leper, and bring the dead back to life with God’s permission; I will tell you what you may eat and what you may store up in your houses. There truly is a sign for you in this, if you are believers. (50) I have come to confirm the truth of the Torah which preceded me, and to make some things lawful to you which used to be forbidden. I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. Be mindful of God, obey me: (51) God is my Lord and your Lord, so serve Him - that is a straight path.”​​​​​​​
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