Sermon on the Mount study notes – Matthew 5:17-20
I have started a small group series on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). I am sharing my notes in case anyone else wants to use them with their group.
Sermon on the Mount – Part 5
Matthew 5:1-2:
Jesus wants to teach the crowds: Who are they? Jewish disciples: People who understand the
Scriptures (at least to a point). Notice from 7:28 the crowds still came along, but this teaching is for His disciples.
What does “blessed” mean?
Based on the first twelve verses, blessed means realizing our own wretchedness and need for a Savior. In other words, it is becoming/being a Christian.
Matthew 5:17-20
What is the Law?
- The books of Moses, the Pentateuch, the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy)
- Jewish leadership of Jesus’ day would have included the writings of teachers that expounded on and added to the Law.
- The Prophets (the rest of the OT) were highly regarded, too, except by the Sadducees.
What is the purpose of the Law?
Romans 3:19-20 – points out our sin
What is antinomianism?
Anti = against, removed. Nomian (Deutero-nomy) = law. Therefore, against the Law or the Law
removed.
In other words and in a summation: antinomianism teaches that we are not under any part of the Law,
even the Moral Law (summarized as the 10 Commandments).
• Deuteronomy 6:1-2, 12:1 – Laws for the Promised Land
Matthew 5:17:
Pretty clearly says “not abolish but fulfill”:
• What does Jesus mean by fulfill?
o 1 Peter 2:22-25 – Perfectly obey and bring about what was prophesied.
Matthew 5:18:
• How do antinomians interpret this verse?
o John 19:30 – They say He meant the Law is accomplished (after all, that entire passage speaks of how
His crucifixion fulfills Scripture, i.e. the Law and Prophets.)
• What is the better interpretation?
o John 17:4 – accomplish the work the Father gave
o Luke 19:10
• Also, “until heaven and earth pass away …” The Law stands until all of God’s plan is complete, i.e.
the renewal of all things.
Matthew 5:19:
• Relaxes one of the least of these commandments?
o Matthew 23:23-24
▪ The leaders stressed things like the tithe (meant for the Temple and priests, Numbers 18) but
showed a lack of compassion and justice and faithfulness to God’s intent.
• But we don’t obey all of those laws, right?
o Acts 15:22-29 – We an understand this as “do not worry about the Law for Israel, just obey the
Ten Commandments as has been revealed.”
o But what about the Sabbath?
▪ Hebrews 4:1-13
All other Commandments are repeated in the New Testament except the Sabbath (we await the full rest
of our souls and renewed bodies in eternity)
The tithe is also not expressly demanded in the NT. The tithe was supposed to supply the priests with food and necessary means for Temple operations and upkeep.
Matthew 5:20:
Jesus rarely said the Jewish leaders were flat out wrong about their teachings. They understood God’s
Word really well!
• Matthew 23 explains the 7 woes of Jesus against the Scribes and Pharisees
o Basically, they made themselves look good on the outside, but they were hypocrites.
• We are to work out of love of God and people: Romans 13:14; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
a simple man of God 