Matthew 5:18

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto you {G5213}, Till {G2193}{G302} heaven {G3772} and {G2532} earth {G1093} pass {G3928}, one {G1520} jot {G2503} or {G2228} one {G3391} tittle {G2762} shall in no wise {G3364} pass {G3928} from {G575} the law {G3551}, till {G2193}{G302} all {G3956} be fulfilled {G1096}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud or a stroke will pass from the Torah -- not until everything that must happen has happened.

Berean Standard Bible

For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In Matthew 5:18, Jesus emphatically declares the enduring authority and divine precision of the Old Testament Law, asserting that not even its minutest detail will pass away until its complete fulfillment. This statement, delivered within the foundational Sermon on the Mount, underscores Jesus' profound respect for the divine revelation that preceded Him, clarifying that His mission was not to abolish the Law but to bring it to its intended, ultimate culmination and perfect realization.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows Jesus' pivotal declaration in [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"), where He states, "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." Matthew 5:18 serves as a forceful reinforcement and elaboration of this preceding statement, emphasizing the absolute permanence of the Law down to its smallest components. It sets the stage for the rest of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus proceeds to expound upon and deepen the understanding of the Law's true intent, demonstrating that His teachings are not a departure from God's revealed will but rather its perfect embodiment and spiritual intensification. The audience, accustomed to the scribal interpretations of the Law, would have found this assertion both revolutionary and reassuring, as it affirmed the divine origin of their sacred texts while simultaneously preparing them for a more profound application.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In first-century Judaism, the Torah (Law) was the bedrock of religious and national identity, meticulously studied and revered. Scribes and Pharisees dedicated their lives to its preservation and interpretation, often focusing on its precise letter. The "jot" (Greek: _iota_, representing the smallest Hebrew letter, _yod_) and "tittle" (Greek: _keraia_, a small stroke or projection distinguishing similar letters) were proverbial expressions for the absolute smallest details of the written text. This imagery would have resonated deeply with a Jewish audience, highlighting the meticulous care with which the Law was transmitted and understood. Jesus' use of this idiom demonstrates His profound respect for the Law's divine origin and its authoritative status, contrasting with any perception that He was a radical prophet seeking to dismantle established religious frameworks. His declaration affirmed the Law's immutability in a culture that held its sacred texts with utmost reverence.

* **Key Themes:** Matthew 5:18 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the Sermon on the Mount and the broader Gospel of Matthew. Primarily, it establishes the **divine authority and permanence of God's Word**, asserting that the Law is not subject to human revision or temporal decay. This echoes Old Testament affirmations of God's enduring truth, as seen in [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - God's Word is Forever Established") and [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Word of Our God Stands Forever"). Secondly, it highlights the **continuity between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant**, demonstrating that Jesus did not come to negate God's prior revelation but to bring it to its intended culmination. His mission is one of **fulfillment, not abolition**, which is central to understanding His role as the Messiah. This concept of fulfillment extends beyond merely obeying the Law; it encompasses His perfect embodiment of its righteous demands, His atoning sacrifice that satisfies its penalties, and His establishment of the New Covenant that writes the Law on hearts ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Thus, the verse underscores the **integrity of God's redemptive plan** across history, with Christ as its focal point.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jot (Greek, _iōta'_):** Refers to the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet, _yod_ (י). Figuratively, it signifies a very small, almost imperceptible part of anything. Jesus uses this to emphasize the absolute minimum component of the Law, indicating that even the most insignificant detail holds divine significance and will not be disregarded.
* **Tittle (Greek, _keraía'_):** Literally meaning "something horn-like," this refers to a small stroke, hook, or projection that distinguishes one Hebrew letter from another that might otherwise look identical (e.g., distinguishing a _resh_ from a _daleth_). Like "jot," it is a proverbial expression for the minutest detail, reinforcing the idea of divine precision and the Law's meticulous integrity.
* **Fulfilled (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This word carries a broad semantic range, meaning "to come into being," "to become," "to be brought to pass," or "to be accomplished." In this context, it signifies the complete realization, accomplishment, or bringing to its intended purpose. Jesus is not merely saying the Law will be obeyed, but that its entire purpose, prophecies, and demands will be perfectly brought to fruition through His person and work.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For verily I say unto you":** This solemn introductory phrase, often translated as "Truly, truly, I say to you" in other Gospels (e.g., John), is Jesus' characteristic way of introducing a weighty, authoritative declaration. "Verily" (Greek: _amēn_) emphasizes the certainty and truthfulness of what follows, establishing the divine authority behind His words.
* **"Till heaven and earth pass":** This is a powerful hyperbolic expression signifying an event of ultimate permanence. It means "never" or "for all eternity" in practical terms, as the passing of heaven and earth represents the end of the current cosmic order. Jesus uses this imagery to convey the absolute and enduring nature of the Law's validity.
* **"one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law":** This is the core assertion of the verse. "Jot" and "tittle" represent the smallest, most insignificant elements of the written Law. The double negative "shall in no wise pass" (Greek: _ou mē parérchomai_) provides an emphatic denial, stressing that absolutely no part, however minute, of the Law will be annulled or cease to be valid until its complete purpose is achieved. This highlights the Law's divine origin, its meticulous perfection, and its enduring authority.
* **"till all be fulfilled":** This crucial phrase clarifies the condition for the Law's "passing" or, more accurately, its ultimate realization. "Fulfilled" (Greek: _gínomai_) here means brought to completion, accomplished, or perfectly enacted. It implies that the Law has a divine purpose and trajectory that culminates in Christ. This fulfillment is not its abolition but its perfect realization through Jesus' life, teachings, atoning death, and establishment of the New Covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 5:18 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its profound message. The phrase "Till heaven and earth pass" is a striking example of **hyperbole**, a deliberate exaggeration used for emphasis. It underscores the absolute and seemingly unbreakable permanence of the Law, suggesting an eternal validity that transcends the current cosmic order. The expressions "one jot" and "one tittle" constitute a **merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting parts represent the whole. Here, the smallest possible components of the written text stand for the entirety of the Law, emphasizing its comprehensive and meticulous nature. This also functions as a **proverbial expression**, a common idiom understood by the audience to mean "not even the slightest detail." Together, these devices highlight Jesus' unwavering affirmation of the Law's divine origin, its enduring authority, and its meticulous precision, setting the stage for His subsequent reinterpretation and deeper exposition of its spiritual intent within the Sermon on the Mount.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 5:18 stands as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's revelation and the person of Jesus Christ. It affirms the divine inspiration and enduring authority of the Old Testament Law, demonstrating that God's Word is not transient or subject to human revision, but rather eternally established and meticulously precise. This verse establishes a crucial continuity between the Old and New Covenants, asserting that Jesus did not come to discard the Law but to bring it to its ultimate, intended purpose. It highlights God's faithfulness in His redemptive plan, showing that the Law, with all its demands and prophecies, points forward to Christ, who perfectly embodies its righteousness and satisfies its requirements. Thus, the verse underscores the unity of God's saving work throughout history, culminating in the person and work of Jesus.

* [Psalm 119:89](/psalms/119-89 "Psalm 119:89 - Your Word, O Lord, is forever")
* [Isaiah 40:8](/isaiah/40-8 "Isaiah 40:8 - The Grass Withers, the Flower Fades, but the Word of Our God Stands Forever")
* [Luke 16:17](/luke/16-17 "Luke 16:17 - It is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 5:18 invites believers to a profound reverence for the entirety of God's Word, recognizing its divine origin and enduring authority. If Jesus Himself affirmed the meticulous precision of the Old Testament Law down to its smallest detail, how much more should we approach all of Scripture with awe and diligent study? This verse instills confidence in the Bible's reliability and trustworthiness, assuring us that God's truth is immutable and not subject to the shifting sands of human opinion or cultural trends. Furthermore, it clarifies Jesus' indispensable role as the ultimate interpreter and fulfiller of God's Law, reminding us that true righteousness is found not in our own efforts to perfectly keep the Law, but in Christ, who perfectly embodied and fulfilled its demands on our behalf. Our response, therefore, should be one of humble submission to God's revealed will, seeking to understand His heart as expressed in both the Old and New Testaments, and allowing the Spirit to empower us to live out the moral and spiritual principles that find their perfect expression in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' affirmation of the Law's enduring nature challenge my own perceptions of the Old Testament's relevance today?**
* **In what ways does understanding Jesus as the "fulfiller" of the Law deepen my appreciation for His redemptive work?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a greater reverence for the meticulous detail and divine authority of God's Word in my daily life?**
* **How does the permanence of God's Word offer me comfort and stability in a constantly changing world?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 5:18 mean that Christians are still under the Old Testament Law in its entirety?**

Answer: No, Matthew 5:18 does not mean that Christians are still under the Old Testament Law in the same way as ancient Israel. Jesus' statement that the Law would not pass away "till all be fulfilled" is key. The New Testament teaches that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law for Righteousness")). He perfectly obeyed its moral demands, offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice to satisfy its penalties, and inaugurated the New Covenant, which supersedes the Old Covenant's ceremonial and civil aspects (e.g., dietary laws, temple rituals, specific national regulations). Believers are no longer under the Law as a means of salvation or justification ([Galatians 3:24-25](/galatians/3-24-25 "Galatians 3:24-25 - The Law as a Guardian Leading to Christ")), but are under grace ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Not Under Law but Under Grace")). However, the moral principles underlying the Law, such as the Ten Commandments, remain eternally valid and are re-affirmed and deepened by Christ and the apostles, now written on our hearts by the Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")).

**If "heaven and earth pass," does that imply the Law will eventually pass away?**

Answer: The phrase "till heaven and earth pass" is a strong hyperbolic expression signifying an ultimate, seemingly impossible, or eternal duration. It means "never" in practical terms, as long as the current cosmic order exists. However, the crucial qualifier "till all be fulfilled" clarifies that the Law's "passing" is not its abolition or disappearance, but rather its complete and perfect realization in Christ. When Jesus says "all be fulfilled," He refers to the culmination of God's redemptive plan, which He Himself embodies. The Law's purpose was to point to Him, reveal sin, and establish righteousness. Once Christ perfectly fulfills these purposes through His life, death, and resurrection, the Law's function as a temporary guardian or a system of rituals is completed. The moral essence of the Law, however, is not abolished but eternally upheld and perfectly expressed in Christ and the Spirit-led life of believers ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - The Righteous Requirement of the Law Fulfilled in Us")). So, the Law doesn't "pass away" in the sense of being discarded, but rather is perfectly accomplished and absorbed into the greater reality of Christ's finished work.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 5:18 is profoundly Christ-centered, revealing Jesus not as a revolutionary who discards the past, but as the divine culmination of God's redemptive history. When Jesus declares that not "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled," He is unequivocally stating His unique relationship to the entirety of God's prior revelation. He is the ultimate "fulfillment" (Greek: _gínomai_) of the Law, meaning He perfectly embodies its righteous demands, satisfies its penalties, and brings its prophecies to their intended realization. His perfect life of obedience, even to the point of death on the cross, perfectly fulfills the Law's requirement for righteousness, which we could never achieve on our own ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ, the End of the Law for Righteousness")). Furthermore, Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross fully pays the penalty for sin that the Law exposed, thereby fulfilling its just demands for judgment ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Blotting Out the Handwriting of Ordinances")). Through His resurrection and the establishment of the New Covenant, Jesus inaugurates a new era where the Law is no longer an external code for justification, but its moral principles are written on the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit ([Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts")). Thus, Jesus is not merely a teacher of the Law, but its living embodiment, its perfect interpreter, and the very means by which its divine purpose is eternally accomplished for all who believe ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - To Fulfill All Righteousness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 16:17

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

Isaiah 40:8

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

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.

Psalms 119:89

¶ LAMED. For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

Psalms 119:90

Thy faithfulness [is] unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

Matthew 24:34

Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

Matthew 24:35

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