Devine Scripture

Matthew 5:18

What does Matthew 5:18 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 5:18 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 5:18 means

Jesus emphatically declares the eternal and absolute authority of God's Law. He uses the hyperbole that not even the smallest stroke of a letter ("one jot or one tittle") will pass away from the Law until heaven and earth themselves cease to exist, and until "all things be accomplished." This underscores that every detail of God's revealed will has purpose and ultimate fulfillment, with Christ's perfect life, atoning death, and subsequent reign bringing about this complete accomplishment.

Matthew 5:18 in context

Matthew 5 — The Beatitudes

Jesus opens his Sermon on the Mount with eight pronouncements that turn the world's value system upside down. Blessing belongs not to the proud and self-sufficient but to the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, the hungry for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and the persecuted. In a few sentences he sketches the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven, and then calls them salt of the earth and light of the world.

  • Kingdom ethics
  • Inner righteousness
  • True blessedness
  • Light and salt

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Truly I say to you, Till heaven and earth come to an end, not the smallest letter or part of a letter will in any way be taken from the law, till all things are done.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall not pass of the law, till all be fulfilled.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For verily I say unto you, Until the heaven and the earth pass away, one iota or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all come to pass.

Context

This verse builds upon Jesus' affirmation in verse 17 that He came to fulfill, not destroy, the Law. It emphasizes the enduring validity and divine inspiration of every detail of the Old Testament. This strong endorsement of the Law's authority sets the stage for Jesus' subsequent radical and deeper interpretations of its meaning.

v.17Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets: I came not to destroy, but to fulfil.

v.18This passage

v.19Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Cross references

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

  • Psalms 119:152

    Of old have I known from thy testimonies, That thou hast founded them for ever. ר RESH.

  • 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.

  • Matthew 10:15

    Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city.

  • John 8:51

    Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my word, he shall never see death.

  • Mark 8:12

    And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.

  • Matthew 25:45

    Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of these least, ye did it not unto me.

Sermon ideas from Matthew 5:18

Angles a pastor or small-group leader might preach or teach from this passage, drawn from the chapter's main themes.

  • What Matthew 5:18 teaches us about kingdom ethics

  • What Matthew 5:18 teaches us about inner righteousness

  • What Matthew 5:18 teaches us about true blessedness

  • What Matthew 5:18 teaches us about light and salt

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