Law, Jesus Christ's attitude to

Jesus Christ accepted the authority of the OT law and saw himself as coming to fulfil its purpose.

Jesus Christ's disputes with the Pharisees and teachers of the law

The Pharisees and teachers of the law accuse Jesus Christ's disciples of not following tradition

So the Pharisees and scribes questioned Jesus: “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders? Instead, they eat with defiled hands.”

Jesus Christ accuses the Pharisees and teachers of the law of hypocrisy

Mark 7:6–8 parallel Matthew 15:7–9 See also Isaiah 29:13

Jesus answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men.”

Jesus Christ gives examples where human tradition is observed rather than God's law

Mark 7:10–13 parallel Matthew 15:3–6; Matthew 23:1–36 parallels Mark 12:38–39, Luke 20:45–46

The Pharisees accuse Jesus Christ of breaking the Sabbath

Mark 2:23–24 parallels Matthew 12:1–2, Luke 6:1–2

One Sabbath Jesus was passing through the grainfields, and His disciples began to pick the heads of grain as they walked along. So the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?”

Jesus Christ demonstrates his authority over the Sabbath

Mark 2:27–3:4 parallels Matthew 12:8–10, Luke 6:5–7

Jesus Christ challenges the religious leaders to think about principles not rules

Mark 3:4 parallels Luke 6:9, Matthew 12:11–12 See also Luke 13:10–17

And He asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?” But they were silent.

Jesus Christ came to fulfil the law

Matthew 5:17, Matthew 5:21–22 Jesus Christ went beyond the literal rules of the law, to the thought behind the act. See also Exodus 20:13Matthew 5:27–28 See also Exodus 20:14

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.

You have heard that it was said to the ancients, ‘Do not murder’ and ‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.

You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Jesus Christ asserts the continuing validity of the law

Matthew 5:18–19; Luke 10:25–28 parallels Matthew 22:37–39, Mark 12:29–34 See also Luke 10:29–37, Luke 16:16

For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus said. “Do this and you will live.”

Jesus Christ himself was obedient to the law and its commands

In honouring his parents

Luke 2:41–51

In being baptised

Matthew 3:13–15

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and do You come to me?” “Let it be so now,” Jesus replied. “It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then John permitted Him.

In resisting temptation

See also Luke 4:1–13

In observing the Passover

Luke 22:7–8

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb was to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”

In submitting to the will of God

Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:35–36, Luke 22:41–42

Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”