Devine Scripture

Luke 16:17

What does Luke 16:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 16:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 16:17 means

Jesus emphatically states the eternal and unchanging nature of God's Law, asserting that it is easier for the entire universe to cease to exist than for even the smallest mark or stroke ("one tittle") of the Law to fail. This powerfully affirms the enduring authority and divine origin of the Mosaic Law, despite the new era of the Kingdom of God. It serves as a corrective against any misunderstanding that the coming of the gospel negates the intrinsic righteousness and truth of God's revealed will.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But heaven and earth will come to an end before the smallest letter of the law may be dropped out.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

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

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But it is easier that the heaven and the earth should pass away than that one tittle of the law should fail.

Context

Following the declaration of the arrival of the Kingdom in verse 16, this verse immediately affirms the eternal validity of the Law. It acts as an important clarification to the Pharisees and disciples alike, preventing the misinterpretation that the new dispensation nullifies God's original commands. This foundational truth about the Law then provides the necessary context for Jesus' specific application regarding marriage and divorce in verse 18, showing the Law's continuing moral force.

v.16The law and the prophets were until John: from that time the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and every man entereth violently into it.

v.17This passage

v.18Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth one that is put away from a husband committeth adultery.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 20:11

    And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

  • Psalms 102:25

    Of old didst thou lay the foundation of the earth; And the heavens are the work of thy hands.

  • Revelation 21:4

    and he shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more; neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more: the first things are passed away.

  • Matthew 5:18

    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.

  • Romans 3:31

    Do we then make the law of none effect through faith? God forbid: nay, we establish the law.

  • Revelation 21:1

    And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea is no more.

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