Teaching The Truth

In the future studies in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus will tell the people that “you have heard, but I say . . .” Jesus will repeatedly disagree with the Pharisees and Sadducees. He will do this in Matt. 5:21-22, 27-28, 31-32, and 33-34. Jesus will eventually warn His disciples to beware of the teaching of these religious leaders (Matt. 16:11-12) and eventually Jesus silenced His critics using scripture (Matt. 22:34, 46). In Matthew 23, Jesus repeatedly warned the scribes and Pharisees with, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees . . .”

Colossians 2:20-23 probably summarizes the conflict with the Pharisees, scribes, and the Sadducees very well.

If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, do not handle, do not taste, do not touch! (which all refer to things destined to perish with use) - in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (NASB) Col. 2:20-23

Not What You Think. The beatitudes were revolutionary because Jesus emphasized not the external conduct as did the Pharisees, scribes, and Sadducees, but the internal heart attitude. So after Jesus concluded the beatitudes and before He started the next series of statements where He declared “You have heard, but I say,” He made this comment,

Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. (NASB) Matt. 5:17

The Greek word that Jesus uses for “fulfill” comes from the root word PLEROO. It has a range of meanings and can have the sense of “completing, carrying out work, fulfilling a wish, satisfying a desire, meeting an obligation, bringing to full measure, filling a gap, and enlarging.” Therefore, Jesus did not come to destroy the Law or the Prophets but to complete them or “bring to full measure.” This is important to remember. He did not come to change anything.