What Does Jesus Think of Old Testament Laws?

Key takeaways

Jesus came to fulfill the Torah and the prophets, providing a deeper understanding of the law rather than abolishing it.
Righteousness is about doing right by others and fulfilling the commandments with love and integrity in relationships.
The teachings of Jesus challenge us to rethink our understanding of laws and ethics, moving beyond mere legalism to a life of love and justice.
Conflict and resolution are central themes in Jesus' teaching, emphasizing the importance of how we conduct ourselves in relationships.
The Sermon on the Mount offers a transformative vision for living in accordance with God's will, reflecting the values of His kingdom.

Summary

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

In this episode of the Bible Project Podcast, John Collins and Michelle Jones continue their exploration of the Sermon on the Mount, this time focusing on Matthew 5:17-20. The episode marks a pivotal transition as they delve deeper into the essence of Jesus' relationship with the Torah and the prophetic teachings of the Hebrew Bible, clarifying misconceptions and exploring the broader context in which Jesus taught.

Understanding Jesus' Perspective on the Torah

Jesus makes it clear that His intention is not to abolish the Torah or the prophets but to fulfill them. This sets the tone for understanding the Mosaic law in a new light. The hosts discuss how, during Jesus' time, there were various interpretations of the law due to the complexity and length of its commands. Listeners gain insights into how Jesus fulfills the law by introducing a deeper righteousness that goes beyond mere legalistic observance, encouraging His followers to embrace a life that embodies the values of God’s kingdom.

The Nature of Righteousness

The episode emphasizes that righteousness, in the context of Jesus' teachings, is about 'doing right by others'. Jesus critiques the prevailing interpretations of righteousness exemplified by the Pharisees and scribes, arguing that a true understanding of righteousness goes beyond strict adherence to the law. Righteousness is a relational concept centered on community and the core commandments of love towards God and neighbor.

Conflict and Resolution in Relationships

John and Michelle foreshadow future discussions about Jesus' teachings on interpersonal relationships, conflict resolution, and ethical living. They suggest that living according to the greater righteousness will require a transformative approach to everyday interactions, urging listeners to rethink their perspectives on anger, resentment, and reconciliation.

The Heart of Jesus' Teaching

This segment reiterates Jesus’ call to embody love and justice in every aspect of life, setting the stage for deeper explorations in subsequent episodes. The importance of approaching Jesus' teachings with a mindset that values relational integrity and the dignity of oneself and others is highlighted.

Show notes

Sermon on the Mount E9 – What did Jesus mean when he said he came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets? In Jesus’ day, the laws from the Torah were over a thousand years old. And the Jewish people under Roman occupation weren’t able to follow all of the laws perfectly, leading to countless interpretations of how the people could observe the Torah. So what made this rabbi from Nazareth’s approach to the law any different? In this episode, Jon and Tim discuss Matthew 5:17-20, unpacking its historical context, most perplexing phrases, and the greater righteousness that Jesus is introducing to his listeners.

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Timestamps

Chapter 1: Short Recap of the Sermon So Far (0:00-3:03)
Chapter 2: Interpreting the Torah in Jesus’ Day (3:03-16:03)
Chapter 3: The Sky and Land, the Least and the Greatest (16:03-28:14)
Chapter 4: Jesus Differs from the Pharisees on Righteousness (28:14-34:27)
Chapter 5: Righteousness in Matthew’s Gospel Compared to Paul’s Letters (34:27-40:17)
Chapter 6: Introducing Jesus’ Idea of the Greater Righteousness (40:17-47:18)

Referenced Resources

Check out Tim’s library here.
You can experience our entire library of resources in the BibleProject app, available for Android and iOS.

Show Music

Original Sermon on the Mount music by Richie Kohen
BibleProject theme song by TENTS

Show Credits

Dan Gummel is the Creative Producer for today’s show, and Tim Mackie is the lead scholar. Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer; Cooper Peltz, managing producer; Colin Wilson, producer; and Stephanie Tam, consultant and editor. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen are our audio editors. Tyler Bailey is also our audio engineer, and he provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty does our show notes, and Hannah Woo provides the annotations for our app. Today’s hosts are Jon Collins and Michelle Jones.

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