Reflect on the passage of Scripture below, and then watch a few related resources. As you reflect, consider this question: What is the Torah, and how does Jesus view it?
In Jesus’ day, the Scribes and Pharisees thought of themselves as the greatest because of their strict observance of the Torah.
Matthew 5:17-20
Jesus and the Torah
What would it have been like for Jesus’ audience to hear that there was a righteousness even greater than that of the Pharisees?
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“At Mount Sinai, God makes a covenant with Israel, like an agreement. And all of the laws that Moses gives to Israel are the terms of that agreement. They’re like a constitution. And so some of the laws, they’re about rituals and customs that set Israel apart from the nations. Other laws are about social justice or morality. And by following these, Israel would show the other nations what God is like.”
“Torah means ‘instruction and teaching,’ mainly from God, but also from priests, prophets, wise people, parents, and even friends. Torah sometimes refers to the Hebrew Bible’s first five books. It’s also shorthand for the Hebrew Scriptures as a whole. Torah can also specifically mean laws and rules, like those given through Moses. With these laws, God instructs Israel in ways of love, justice, and generosity.”
Chapter from Sermon on the Mount E9
The Torah Will Not Pass Away
“Jesus says, ‘I view the Torah as so valuable, here's how I would describe its divine authority: not one little tiny detail …’ He starts talking about the little squiggles of Hebrew letters. They're all important. He says, ‘Until the sky and the land pass on, not one dot or squiggle will pass on from the Torah until all things have taken place.’”
The Hebrew word “torah” means instruction. It often refers to the first five books of the Bible, which contain the covenant laws given to Israel by God at Mount Sinai. However, the Torah is also shorthand for the Hebrew Bible as a whole. Jesus believed that the wisdom found in the Torah was more foundational to reality than creation itself.