Luke 16:17

And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

And {G1161} it is {G2076} easier {G2123} for heaven {G3772} and {G2532} earth {G1093} to pass {G3928}, than {G2228} one {G3391} tittle {G2762} of the law {G3551} to fail {G4098}.

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter in the Torah to become void.

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for a single stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law.

But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of the law to fall.

Commentary

Luke 16:17, spoken by Jesus, delivers a powerful statement about the enduring and inviolable nature of God's Law. It asserts that the smallest detail of the Law is more permanent than the physical universe, underscoring its divine origin and unwavering authority.

Context

This verse comes immediately after Jesus' teachings on stewardship and wealth, including the Parable of the Unjust Steward (Luke 16:1-13) and His declaration that "Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13). The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard these things and derided Him (Luke 16:14). Jesus then rebukes their self-justification before men, contrasting it with God's view. He states that "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it" (Luke 16:16). To prevent any misunderstanding that the Law was now abolished, Jesus immediately provides Luke 16:17, emphasizing its absolute permanence despite the dawning of the Kingdom era.

Key Themes

  • The Immutability of God's Law: The verse highlights that God's moral and spiritual principles, as revealed in the Law, are eternal and unchangeable. They stand firm regardless of human actions or the passage of time.
  • Divine Precision and Authority: By mentioning the "tittle," Jesus emphasizes the meticulous detail and absolute authority of the Law, indicating that not even the minutest part of it can be discarded or lose its force.
  • The Fulfillment, Not Abolition, of the Law: This statement complements Jesus' teaching that He did not come to destroy the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). While the ceremonial aspects of the Law found their culmination in Christ, its underlying moral principles remain eternally valid.

Linguistic Insights

The term "tittle" translates the Greek word keraia (κΡραία), which refers to the smallest stroke, hook, or projection in Hebrew script. It could be a tiny serif, a distinguishing mark between similar letters (like a 'D' and an 'R'), or even a vowel point. The significance lies in its minuteness: Jesus is saying that even the most insignificant mark of the Law, representing its smallest detail, cannot "fail" (Greek: pipto, meaning to fall, to lose its force, or to be annulled). This emphasizes the Law's absolute integrity and divine inspiration down to the very letter.

Related Scriptures

  • Matthew 5:18: This verse contains a nearly identical statement from Jesus, reinforcing the enduring nature of the Law until all is fulfilled.
  • Psalm 119:89: "For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven." This Old Testament verse echoes the permanence of God's commands.
  • Isaiah 40:8: "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever." This prophetic word further emphasizes the eternal nature of divine truth.

Practical Application

Luke 16:17 reminds believers of the profound reverence due to God's Word. It encourages us to take seriously every command and principle revealed in Scripture, understanding that they are not arbitrary rules but reflections of God's unchanging character and perfect will. For Christians, this means recognizing that while Christ has fulfilled the Law, its moral essence continues to guide our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. It calls for a deeper appreciation of the Bible's authority and a commitment to living in accordance with God's timeless truths, trusting in His precision and faithfulness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 5:18

    For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

  • Luke 21:33

    Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

  • 1 Peter 1:25

    But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.

  • Isaiah 40:8

    The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

  • Romans 3:31

    Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

  • Isaiah 51:6

    Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

  • Psalms 102:25

    Of old hast thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens [are] the work of thy hands.
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