Jesus’ relationship with Jewish law, particularly the Torah, was complex and transformative. While he was born into a Jewish culture that deeply revered the Torah, his teachings often reinterpreted, fulfilled, or challenged traditional understandings of the Law. Jesus emphasized the heart of the Law—love, justice, and mercy—rather than strict legalism, leading to significant developments in how Jewish law was understood and applied. Let’s explore how Jesus engaged with Jewish traditions and the Torah.
Fulfilling the Law: Jesus’ Respect for the Torah
Jesus made it clear that he did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it. In Matthew 5:17, he says, “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.” This statement indicates that Jesus viewed the Torah as God’s revelation, which he respected and affirmed. However, his fulfillment of the Law goes beyond strict observance; it involves bringing the Law to its full spiritual intention and purpose.
For Jesus, the Torah pointed toward God’s kingdom, and he embodied the fulfillment of that divine purpose through his teachings, life, and mission. By living a life of perfect righteousness, Jesus showed that the Law’s true goal was not legal perfection, but a heart aligned with God’s will.
Reinterpreting the Law: The Sermon on the Mount
In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus reinterprets key aspects of the Law, shifting the focus from external compliance to internal transformation. His famous phrase, “You have heard that it was said… But I tell you,” introduces several teachings that deepen the moral and spiritual meaning of the Law.
For example, in Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,’ and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.” Here, Jesus expands the commandment against murder to include anger and hatred, highlighting that the spirit of the Law is about transforming the heart, not just avoiding specific sinful actions.
Similarly, Jesus teaches about adultery, divorce, and oaths, focusing on inner purity and integrity rather than mere outward obedience. His reinterpretations suggest that the Law’s true purpose is to guide people into deeper relationships with God and others, rooted in love and justice.
Challenging Legalism and Hypocrisy
Jesus frequently challenged the legalism and hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his time, particularly the Pharisees. While the Pharisees were committed to strict observance of the Law, Jesus criticized them for focusing on the letter of the Law while neglecting its spirit.
In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness.” Here, Jesus highlights that justice, mercy, and faithfulness are at the core of God’s Law, and that ritual observance without these values is hollow.
Jesus also defied rigid Sabbath rules, healing and performing acts of mercy on the Sabbath, which was traditionally a day of rest (Mark 3:1-6). His actions emphasized that human need and compassion were more important than strict adherence to ritualistic laws, as seen when he said, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27).
The Greatest Commandment: Love as the Fulfillment of the Law
At the heart of Jesus’ teaching on the Law is the commandment to love God and love others. In Matthew 22:36-40, when asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus responds, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
With this teaching, Jesus reveals that love is the foundation of the entire Law. He teaches that all the commandments are meant to lead people to love God fully and to treat others with compassion and respect. This shifts the focus from rigid law-keeping to cultivating relationships grounded in love, which Jesus saw as the true purpose of the Torah.
Jesus as the Fulfillment of the Law
Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled the Law in both his life and his mission. By living in perfect obedience to God’s will, he demonstrated the true meaning of the Law. His death and resurrection marked the fulfillment of the sacrificial system, which was central to the Torah. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice, atoning for humanity’s sins once and for all, rendering the old sacrificial system obsolete (Hebrews 10:1-10).
In this sense, Jesus didn’t discard the Law but completed it, bringing its ultimate purpose to light. Through his teachings, actions, and sacrifice, Jesus redefined what it means to follow the Law—not through strict adherence to rules, but through a life transformed by love, mercy, and justice.
Conclusion
Jesus’ relationship with Jewish law was one of respect, fulfillment, and transformation. While he affirmed the Torah as God’s revelation, he reinterpreted it to emphasize its deeper spiritual meaning, centered on love, compassion, and justice. By challenging legalism and hypocrisy, Jesus called his followers to go beyond mere obedience and live lives that reflect the heart of the Law. Ultimately, Jesus fulfilled the Law through his life, death, and resurrection, bringing its true purpose—a life of love and relationship with God—to completion.
